The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn (Hardback)
Interpreting Image and Perception
Imprint: Pen & Sword History
Pages: 296
Illustrations: 30 mono illustrations
ISBN: 9781036105020
Published: 31st July 2025
(click here for international delivery rates)
Need a currency converter? Check XE.com for live rates
Mistress. Queen. Reformer. Traitor. Icon.
This book is not like any others you might have read on Anne Boleyn. It is not a biography of the life of Henry VIII’s second wife and queen. What this book does is to examine Anne Boleyn through images and perceptions of her. Through documents, letters, images, propaganda, films, novels and historical biographies, this book explores Anne Boleyn through more than 500 years of history. Explore how perceptions of her have changed and developed over time. Whether she is seen as a mistress, a queen, a mother, a reformer, a traitor, or a tragic heroine, Anne Boleyn continues to inspire so much exploration and even new discoveries today. See Anne through the eyes of people who knew her, loved her, hated her, and studied her. In the present day, Anne Boleyn has quite a devoted scholarship, honed through perceptions built over the last half a millennium. Her life, reign, and tragic death at the hands of the man who tore England apart to be with her have made Anne Boleyn one of the most divisive and exciting figures in English history.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
NetGalley, Robin Joyce
Helene Harrison’s forensic approach to discovering Anne Boleyn is a remarkable enterprise, and one that provides a welcome addition to the myriads of interpretations that have already been written. Harrison’s perceptiveness is an asset in considering the immense range of sources she investigates. These are primary and secondary sources, all of which she appraises with almost a gimlet eye. Her understanding of other writers’ and film/television makers’ interpretations is acute, critical at times, but recognising the importance of others’ contribution to creating an understanding of this elusive woman. That Anne Boleyn is elusive can, of course, be questioned. After all, she has been the subject of so many books, films, and television series. However, where so much has been partisan, it is useful to try to stand back, look at the material and, as Harrison has done, investigate.
These investigations are detailed and cover the following topics: portraiture and image; Anne as mistress, queen, mother, reformer, tragic heroine, and traitor; Anne through foreign eyes; and Anne on stage, in film and television series, and in books. The historiography, where Harrison considers the material available and acknowledges that new research is always likely to occur and will enhance what is known, is an excellent read. She refers to widely divergent accounts; exhibitions; and a summary of various interpretations of Anne: her impact, life, and legacy. Harrison’s introduction to the Epilogue refers to the fun she had in writing about Anne Boleyn. This permeates the work, making it fun to read while not undermining the value as an important and serious text.
There are notes for each at the end of the book, an index and the graphics are well presented and described. Readers of historical fiction will be pleased to see Alison Weir, Hilary Mantel and Phillipa Gregory in the index, under the subheading ‘in literature’, but there is more – letters and older texts such as Foxe’s Book of Martyrs and Bacon’s Tragedy of Anne Boleyn; headings such as the chronology, personal aspects and relationships are helpful; and topics such as feminism appear.
While studying Tudor History at university in the 1970s the lecturer referred to Anne of A Thousand Days being a useful addition to the advised academic sources. Helene Harrison’s reference to this film, among other non-academic sources resonated with me. To capture the way in which Anne Boleyn’s image has been perceived requires a though investigation, one that is open to the wide variety of sources available, and one that is generous in acknowledging the validity of such sources. Helene Harrison’s, The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn Interpreting Image and Perception, has achieved this.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
NetGalley, Kimberly Eve
I read it in one day!... Author, Helene Harrison researches every aspect of Anne Boleyn’s life through the lens and representation of drawings, medals and portraiture. Fresh perspective on a woman we think we know.
The Tudors and Anne Boleyn in particular continue to have an enduring hold on people, and I am no different, so when I saw this book promised a different look at her, I was so excited to be able to get an ARC.
NetGalley, Sarah Aspden
I really enjoyed the look at Anne Boleyn post her death - so many books on her tend to either stop following her death or at the latest, in the reign of Elizabeth. Instead, we have chapters that focus on how Anne is perceived on screen, stage, and in books - both in novels and non-fiction. Its a fascinating dive into how even today she can be such a polarising figure... It was still brilliant to see all the different views and the author has done an incredible job of drawing all these sources together into one readable book.
A skillful, engaging look at this most notorious of Queens.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
NetGalley, Nicola Hall
Helene Harrison’s latest book is a fascinating examination of how Anne Boleyn has been viewed over the last 500 years. It discusses Anne’s portrayal in art, literature and popular culture in her own time all the way to the 21st Century and shows how previous opinions about Anne are being reframed. The author’s wide ranging and extensive research shines through, making this an excellent addition to the collection of anyone interested in Tudor history and the enigmatic Anne.
This was such as interesting read. It was intriguing to see Anne in many different lights throughout history. If you are interested in history, this is a good read!
NetGalley, LuAnn Losee
I pretty much annihilated this book in two days flat as I couldn’t put it down. I think Anne Boleyn has captured the imagination of many (especially those with an interest in history and the Tudor era in general) so to read a book that analysed her many perceptions and faces through literature, letters and media was a super interesting take on it all.
NetGalley, Nicola Wilton
I loved the whole make up of this book and how it was structured. It flowed easily and I had no problem consuming hours at a time of this book. My attention was utterly held and I learnt a lot from it too. It felt thorough yet also clear in what was going to be discussed and introduced this topic well. So it’s great for the history buff and casual reader alike.
I got a really good picture of Anne Boleyn’s character as what presented through the written letters and communications of the time but also really enjoyed an analysis of her presentation in media and the present day.
I could feel the authors extensive research and passion for the subject through the pages too. I absolutely love reading about this topic and it certainly fed my interest and curiosity. Enjoyable read!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
NetGalley, Courtney Pityer
What makes this this unique is that it isn't a biography of Anne Boleyn's life but more of an account of how she is viewed whether it be a portrait or even how she is portrayed in cinema. We also hear of accounts of people who knew her and had a good high opinion and then there were those who hated her. Now that is something that everyone will almost encounter in everyday life. Now in my opinion I think Anne Boleyn was a very refined person what with her time spent in the Netherlands with Margaret of Austria and her time in the French Court. Overall this was a very interesting take on the life of Anne Boleyn.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
NetGalley, Mariah F.
A well-researched in-depth analysis of the various facets related to Anne Boleyn’s life. This narrative addresses the royal biases around Anne and the way media has rewritten pivotal facts. This is a deep dive into the truest accounts to this date that we know of related to Anne. A narrative that demystifies centuries of rumors and a King’s attempt to write Anne out of history. Genuinely interesting read for those interested in the Tudors.
Each essay focuses on a central aspect related to Annes life or the way Anne’s life has been portrayed through various medias. Considerations are made for missing information, cultural context, and the current artifacts that remain from Anne’s reign as Queen. This is a great example of a non-fiction narrative that pulls the passion from their fingertips in riveting essays.
About Helene Harrison
Helene Harrison studied at the University of Northumbria in Newcastle, achieving both a BA and an MA in History before going on to complete an MSc in Library Management. Her passion for Tudor history started when studying for A Levels and completing a module on Tudor rebellions. Her Masters dissertation focused on portrayals of Anne Boleyn through the centuries, from contemporary letters to modern TV and film adaptations. Now she writes two blogs, one Tudor history and one book-related, and loves visiting royal palaces and snuggling up with a book or embroidery project.
Follow on Twitter: @TudorBlogger