Anne Boleyn’s First Public Appearance as Queen

Henry VIII & Anne Boleyn by Arthur Hopkins

On Saturday 12 April 1533, the chapel royal at Greenwich was the setting for Anne Boleyn’s first public appearance as queen.

Anne attended mass with great pomp, resplendent in a pleated gown of cloth of gold, and adorned with sumptuous jewels. Sixty ladies accompanied her, and her cousin, Lady Mary Howard, soon to become Duchess of Richmond and Somerset, carried her train.

One can only imagine how Anne’s dark eyes must have glistened and how secure she must have felt with a crown on her head, a baby cradled deep within her belly and the adoring looks of her husband.

Both the Spanish and Venetian ambassadors reported the event to their masters. Charles Wriothesley, herald and chronicler, also noted the event.

The Spanish Ambassador

On Saturday, Easter Eve, dame Anne went to mass in Royal state, loaded with jewels, clothed in a robe of cloth of gold friese. The daughter of the duke of Norfolk, who is affianced to the duke of Richmond, carried her train; and she had in her suite 60 young ladies, and was brought to church, and brought back with the solemnities, or even more, which were used to the Queen. She has changed her name from Marchioness to Queen, and the preachers offered prayers for her by name. All the world is astonished at it for it looks like a dream, and even those who take her part know not whether to laugh or to cry. The King is very watchful of the countenance of the people, and begs the lords to go and visit and make their court to the new Queen, whom he intends to have solemnly crowned after Easter, when he will have feastings and tournaments ; and some think that Clarencieux went four days ago to France to invite gentlemen at arms to the tourney, after the example of Francis, who did so at his nuptials. I know not whether this will be before or after, but the King has secretly appointed with the archbishop of Canterbury that of his office, without any other pressure, he shall cite the King as having two wives ; and upon this, without summoning the Queen, he will declare that he was at liberty to marry as he has done without waiting for a dispensation or sentence of any kind.

The Venetian Ambassador

This morning of Easter Eve, the Marchioness Anne went with the King to high mass, as Queen, and with all the pomp of a Queen, clad in cloth of gold, and loaded (carga) with the richest jewels; and she dined in public; although they have not yet proclaimed the decision of the Parliament [Convocation ?].

Wriothesley’s Chronicle number 17

Memorandum: the 12th day of Aprill, Anno Domini 1533, beinge [A.D. 1533.]
Easter eaven, Anne Bulleine, Marques of Pembroke, 11 was pro-
claymed Queene at Greenewych, and offred that daie in the Kinges
Chappell as Queene of Englande. 6