The Boleyns: From the Tudors to the Windsors

by Amanda Harvey Purse, Owen Emmerson (Foreword)

Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, was executed on May 19, 1536. Her sister Mary, rumored mistress to the monarch, lived on and survived the king’s wrath. But this is not the end of the tale of the Boleyns and the British Royal family – their stories have remained entwined for almost 500 years, through countless wars, crises and triumphs.

In this book, Amanda Harvey Purse delves into the archives to tell the remarkable story of a number of individuals who form part of the Boleyn bloodline, spanning the worlds of the military, art and politics. Among those featured are Robert Devereux, executed for treason after leading an army against the government in the early seventeenth century; Lettice Knollys, banished from the court of Elizabeth I after marrying the wrong man; and Cecilia Nina Bowes Lyon, the godmother to Elizabeth II who scandalised society when marrying Claude Bowes Lyon and played a significant role in the convalescence of soldiers during the First World War.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Tudor Period

288 pages, Hardcover

Published February 15, 2023

Reviews

[Owen Emmerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the accomplished author of this impressive and enlightening book, I too became enchanted by the story of the Boleyn family at a young age. That enduring interest was solidified by a trip to Hever Castle in Kent: the place I like to call the Boleyn family ‘headquarters.’ It is now my privilege to be Castle Historian and Assistant Curator of that magical moated manor, where so much of the Boleyn’s story played out. Some of the most significant annals of our history happened between the crenelated walls of Hever when King Henry VIII moved heaven and earth to marry Anne Boleyn. That story, of course, ended with alarming brutality when Anne and her beloved brother George were slaughtered in 1536. The canons which fired from the Tower of London to signal the untimely end of Henry VIII’s second queen consort sounded the death knell of that vibrant and divisive family’s time at Hever Castle. And yet, this was far from being the end of the story of the Boleyns. This engaging and edifying book completes the untold and captivating saga of the Boleyns.

In most of the histories written about the Boleyn family, their story ends with the accession of the Boleyn heir: Anne Boleyn’s daughter Queen Elizabeth I. The story of Gloriana, the ‘Virgin Queen’, provides a triumphant encore to her mother’s horrific demise, and her reign is held up as the pinnacle of the Boleyn’s achievements. With so many odds stacked against her, it is not hard to see why this narrative is so dominant: there is more than a feeling of schadenfreude to be found in the reality that Henry’s delegitimised daughter triumphed in a way that his much-desired male heir could not. And yet, centuries later, the crown of England would be placed again upon the head of another queen with Boleyn blood flowing through her veins: Queen Elizabeth II. This timely study allows us to see the Boleyn families’ successes and failures through a new lens; one that is not restricted to the triumphs and tragedy of Anne Boleyn, but which recognises the longevity of the heirs of the ‘other’ Boleyn daughter: Mary Boleyn.

Mary is a somewhat mercurial character, often barely visible in the fringes of the source materials which illuminate the lives her dazzling siblings. However, it was Mary’s place in the shadow of the crown that proved to be the most fertile place for her and her family to thrive. This fascinating woman, who defied her family and chose to live relative obscurity so that she could marry for love, should be recognised - as this study so brilliantly does - as a key player in the ever-fascinating Boleyn saga. By liberating the Boleyns story from the traditional confines we typically view them in, we can fully understand the impressive trajectory of their accomplishments. In doing so, this study also challenges how we should measure the successes of a family over generations, and on what terms we should do so. It has been an honour to watch this project blossom into such an innovative and revealing book and it has significantly challenged my own perceptions of the Boleyns. It is sure to educate and delight you too.

[From Foreword]

[historic_chronicles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boleyns: From the Tudors to the Windsors by Amanda Harvey Purse.

When we consider the Boleyn name, it has become almost synonymous with Queen Anne Boleyn, second wife to King Henry VIII and mother to Elizabeth I. However, as the author demonstrates in this book, there is much more to the Boleyns than Anne.

Diving deep into the Boleyn family archive, the author highlights various members who have left a lasting impact on the British Monarchy across the span of 500 years.

While we explore the well known and definitive family members such as Anne and George Boleyn, the author introduces us to the lesser known members of the Boleyn line such as Lettice Knollys, wife to Sir Robert Dudley and mother to the infamous Robert Devereaux along with Cecilia Nina Bowes-Lyon, mother to Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and grandmother to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The author is passionate about her subject and this is evident in the book. I found it almost contagious at times, leading me to read long into the night!

I found the foreword provided by Dr Owen Emmerson to encapsulate the level of magnetism that the Boleyns hold over many who have become fascinated by them to perfection.

This book is truly one that provides a unique perspective and has been one of the most interesting books I have read this year.

Thank you so much to @amberleypublishing for providing me with a copy of this fascinating book.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great comprehensive history of the Boleyn family. It was very complimentary to Mary Boleyn ( as there would be no Boleyn descendants today of Thomas Boleyn and Elizabeth Howard if it weren’t for Mary), and yet in the picture section, there were none of Mary.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously well researched and engagingly written, it’s a fascinating read. That being said sometimes the timelines jump around too much to understand which descendant did what.

[Jo Wheater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Very well written, could have been twice as long and still would have enjoyed reading it

[Giuliet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happened to be interested in this period of history right now

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable factual read starting with the history of the Boleyn family and ending up with the Windsor family