Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII of England, met a tragic end on May 19th, 1536. Just weeks prior, she had been arrested on charges of adultery, incest, and conspiracy to kill the king. Historians believe these charges were fabricated to pave the way for Henry to marry Jane Seymour and secure a male heir. Despite a trial widely considered a sham, Anne was found guilty and sentenced to death.
On the execution day, Anne was beheaded within the confines of the Tower of London. Unlike the typical execution method of an axe, she was executed by a skilled swordsman brought in specifically for the task. This method was believed to be a quicker and more humane way to carry out the sentence. Anne’s execution marked a pivotal moment in English history, solidifying the break from the Catholic Church and solidifying Henry VIII’s path towards absolute power.
