The Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn

What It's About

This is a collection of love letters written by King Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn during the years of their courtship, before their eventual marriage. Written mostly while Anne was away from court, the letters show Henry's longing for her, his repeated inquiries after her health, and his growing impatience as he tried to extricate himself from his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Several of the original letters were in French, and this edition presents them in English translation.

Key Concepts

The letters trace the emotional arc of a courtship conducted under enormous political pressure. Henry's tone shifts between tenderness, jealousy, and frustration, offering a rare personal counterpoint to the political history of the "King's Great Matter" — his campaign to annul his first marriage, a struggle that would ultimately break with Rome and reshape the English Reformation.

About the Author

Henry VIII (1491–1547) was King of England from 1509 until his death. He is remembered for his six marriages, his break with the Roman Catholic Church, and the establishment of the Church of England, changes set in motion in part by his desire to marry Anne Boleyn.