The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family

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Narrator

The King, of course, has the pick of the women at court. And he has his eye on one in particular. The wife of one of his inner circle. People tend to look at the Chateau Vert as the first time Henry would've seen Anne, who's playing Perseverance. But what's more interesting is who plays Kindness, and that's Mary Boleyn. And so when Henry is besieging the castle, it's Mary he's besieging. Now, why is she kindness? It's not a role she would've chosen herself. It would've been chosen for her. Wolsey had already been called the King's Board, that is his pimp. A man who finds the most wholesome women, and those of the best complexion for Henry. Henry had usually a single mistress alongside the Queen, at any one point. Mary Boleyn was definitely the Royal Mistress, and it's not in her power to resist the King. (crows caw) -

Narrator

Unlike Mary, a decade in Europe has taught Anne how to fend for herself. Now in her early 20s, she knows her own mind. Anne does not want to marry James Butler. Her sights are on a romantic marriage, marriage to Henry Percy, who she sees, loves, and he seems to feel exactly the same about her. Henry VIII heard about the relationship and was shocked by it because, of course, it was not a suitable marriage for Henry Percy at all. He instructs Cardinal Wolsey to bring the relationship to an end. She doesn't necessarily know of the King's involvement, but she knows that Cardinal Wolsey has played a major role in dashing her hopes. The Cardinal called my Lord Percy into his presence and reviled him for tangling himself with a foolish girl at court. Wolsey has since set about dissolving our match, saying it is disagreeable and determining another woman as a more appropriate marriage prospect. If it ever lies in my power, I will work as much displeasure for Wolsey as he has shown me.