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
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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, 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