I couldn't even get 3 chapters in and threw the book bc of how many inaccuracies and the total sht pacing it had. I still cannot fathom why anyone likes anything she has done, not why anyone takes her serious when she clearly is incapable of basic research.
I made the mistake of actually giving one of her books a try: "The Last Tudor". I would NOT recommend it, I didn't finish it, I deleted it from Kindle, it wasn't just a slog to read through, but it felt like she was inventing things out of thin air just to make people look worse. I had heard Gregory was controversial, but I thought I'd give it a try, since the Grey sisters (Jane, Katherine and Mary Grey) are my historical favourites. From the first moment, she makes it clear Jane Grey hates animals. I'm surprised Gregory didn't have her kill her sister's kitten for fun. And I'm left wondering: why? Where did that come from? In no actual history book is it ever even slightly suggested she hated animals. And she gets to have so many films made after her books... But on the same topic, Elizabeth Fremantle's "Sisters of Treason" and Ella Chase March's "Three Maids for a Crown" are much better. I'm no expert in literature, but I absolutely loved those books and I would love to see those stories on screen, but Gregory for some reason is favoured. I don't get it.
Witch, adulteress, sinner, liar, incest, etc and now a murderer.... next it's gonna be she was a vampire 🙄 Poor Anne can never catch a break even all these centuries later 🤦🏻♀️
There was nothing "poor" about Anne Boleyn,her fate was not only the kings doing ,the choices she made added to the rapacious nature of power led to the fate she endured ,no one forced her into the situation she found herself in so she paid the price with her life and the innocent like her mistress Queen Catherine and The lady Mary also paid painfully for Anne's desire to be Queen.
Even her greatest fans would have to admit she was a bit of a mean girl. I would have definitely given her a swerve at court. Whether she physically killed anyone or not, she threatened and bullied people into thinking her influence over the King was such that she could have them killed. Thomas Cromwell took her threat seriously - as he was intended to.
@@robertc2619That’s incorrect. Henry pursued Anne for at least 6 years. Anne was in love with another man but Henry forbid it to continue because he wanted her for himself. Anne was trying to dodge a bullet, but what Henry wanted, Henry got no matter the cost. She finally gave in believing that he truly loved her. Not sure where you’re getting your information but check out more from Claire Ridgeway.
If Phillipa Gregory told me 2 + 2 = 4, I'd get my calculator out to check. An entire salt mine would not be enough to make me take her word for anything.
Philipa Gregory makes my blood boil. 'Clearly guilty'? How does she get away with such judgement, without citing a single source, or even fully explaining who was murdered, or how Anne supposedly did the deed? Gah! 🤯😡
I tried reading one of her books ("The Last Tudor") and I regret buying it. I didn't finish it and I deleted it from Kindle. It was frankly insulting to the real historical people it depicted. Apparently, Jane Grey really hated animals. I've no idea how she reached that conclusion or why she felt the need to add that, but there it was. I get maybe trying to accentuate a real trait or inventing something to fill in some important blank, but why invent things just to make people look terrible? So, yeah, I will avoid anything having to do with Gregory.
@@octavianpopescu4776 she didn’t like Jane Grey either for some reason. I’m not sure if it’s the same book, but she wrote one about the 3 Grey sisters, with the middle sister (Catherine?) as the protagonist. Jane’s character was insufferable . I understand she was probably difficult. She was a teenager, after all. But in this, she’s a humorless fanatic, to make a contrast with her sister, I guess.🤷♀️
@@JJMarie3509 Yes, that's the book: The Last Tudor. I couldn't read past the part where she rejects Catherine's kitten... Yes, Catherine was the middle sister. If anything real-life Jane came across as actually funny to me, based on what I've read, she had a deadpan sarcastic sense of humor as far as I can tell. Was she hard to deal with? I've heard the "teenager therefore difficult" theory, but it seems a bit of a lazy explanation painting all teenagers with a broad brush... too broad.
By all accounts, Anne was smart. I think she would have understood how high the stakes were and I believe she never cheated on Henry. Nor do I believe she was a murderer.
I've been studying Anne Boleyn off and on for forty years. I'm no fan of Philippa Gregory. She plays fast and loose with the historical evidence, and then highlights things that are (and were even in the period) little better than conspiracy theories to increase shock value. I read several of her novels, and at some point in every one, I threw the book across the room in frustration and fury. Frustration is easy to understand, but why fury? Because I believe she knows better, but just doesn't care.
@@dorothywillis1 There are libraries, and there are many books I have read while visiting relatives ... but I hope I would not treat a borrowed book like that. Oth sometimes people gift You books they think You might like since You are interested in something or someone, that You discover are really bad.
@@dorothywillis1 Oh, I never bought any of them. They were library discards that were in dreadful condition. I tried three or four and never made it past fifty pages, even though I have a hard time not finishing a book.
I must confess to be no fan of Philippa Gregory. To write historical fiction as fiction is one thing. But to state these thi ga as facts with no contemporary sources or proof is quite another. And sadly, she is so popular that many believe her works of fiction ro be very true. Another good video Claire!
Thank you Claire 🌹 Wasn't familiar with the sad tale and fate of Bennett and Alice. Poor souls 🙏😔 Sounds like slander on Anne's memory by Gregory labelling Anne a murderer so matter of factly. Safe to say Anne was no murderer. Disappointing to see that in this modern day, Anne is still being unfairly labelled and blamed for situations that had nothing to do with her, not her fault and out of her control etc.
The only author of historical fiction I read is Sharon Kay Penman. Wasn't Chapue a bitter enemy of Anne, so I take his pov with a pinch of salt. I've hear Anne accused of poisoning Katherine of Aragon but the is total nonsense.
Chapuys clearly favoured Catherine in the whole affair and disliked Anne, BUT he's also the man who expressed serious doubts at the charges levelled at Anne, saying he never saw someone cheated on as happy as Henry was during those days. So he did think a lot of bad things about Anne, but he didn't think her capable of incest, treason and cheating on the King.
Another very informative video! I suspect many people don't remember that "The Other Boleyn Girl" and HBO's "The Tudors" etc., are fictional stories based on actual historical people and events. That's why I always come to YOU to discover the facts about our favorite people. Thank you, Claire! I've learned (and continue to learn) so much from you! ❤
The Tudors is actually very precise with events and accurately portrays the struggles Anne went through during her time at court and her love for reform, that is my favorite portrayal precisely for that, Natalie Dormer researched Anne extensively and that made the difference. The other boleyn girl is bassically cheap fanfiction in which historical events are completely changed to suite the author's personal beliefs and then presented as fact
After reading The Other Boleyn Girl I was so angry I couldn't read another book written by Gregory. She has done such a grave disservice to history with her brash assertions and the demonization of Anne and George, that I fear she has unfortunately coloured the perceptions of those new to Tudor history. Even as fiction her writing is bad. The characters were poorly derived - there was no nuance to Anne and she practically beatified Mary. Alison's Weir's novel - while flawed - presents a more balanced point of view, delving into Anne's fascinating formative years at the courts in Europe and how they may have influenced her position on religion. I've also read many historical books about Anne with detailed footnotes sourcing the material (including yours) and all present her as an intelligent, religious woman - just not in the pious Catholic sense of the day. She definitely would have been concerned about her immortal soul and it is highly unlikely that she committed incest let alone murder. It is also well-known that Chapuys' accounts of the time are extremely biased due to his sympathies for Queen Catherine and the Princess Mary. Thank you Claire for your well-researched, balanced works on Anne and the devotion you pour into them.
I LOVE Phillips Gregory’s novels & think they are wonderfully written “FICTION”. I don’t mind poetic license for good “story”. I credit them with the drive to learn the true history of the events. It is very disappointing, however, that she chose to put things down as fact that there is no solid evidence for. Rather like quoting tabloids or Hollywood movies for history. I enjoy hearing the contemporary accounts you & other historians provide to get an idea of what we on in Tudor (& other) time. I appreciate your thorough research.
If a writer is going to write fiction they should not use the names of real people. But they do and fools believe the fiction. Many people DO quote tabloids or the movies as fact.
@@dorothywillis1 It depends. I've read historical fiction and it can be done in a respectful, appropriate way, even filling in some blanks and providing some plausible speculative explanation for some events. Then, I watched the 1st episode of a show this weekend, called My Lady Jane. It's Jane Grey... but fantasy, based on a young adult book, with people turning into animals. I was really sceptical about it, because the premise sounds insane and it's clearly, absolutely not historically accurate, not even close. But it has a charm, it feels like an odd, but touching tribute made with the best intentions. It doesn't pretend to be history and fully embraces the fiction. And I prefer in general historical accuracy, but I found I can respect that approach. But Gregory... nope... just nope... I tried reading one of her books ("The Last Tudor") and I couldn't finish it, it got on my nerves really fast.
@@octavianpopescu4776 Of course there is good historical fiction. But good historical fiction doesn't ignore facts and make historical figures do things they would never have done in reality, thus misleading innocent readers.
Many thanks for this broadcast Claire. This is indeed a puzzling claim. As 'The Anne Boleyn Files' offers a welcoming platform for all discussions regarding Anne, perhaps Philippa Gregory could set out her case here, on the website?
Could Gregory be referring to Catherine of Aragon's death? Although Anne was in a safer position with Catherine alive, I think I remember reading that some were eager to accuse Anne of having Catherine killed.
Seriously? Some people think that Anne killed Catherine? Did they forget that Catherine of Aragon was a Spanish princess? There was no way Anne could've done that and got away with it.
@@anonz975 But Anne was a smart woman. She knew it was too risky. And besides....I heard that Anne Boleyn was a very religious woman. And murder is an unforgivable sin.
Hi Claire! Good video as always. I agree with Stephanie's comment ~~ Anne will next be a vampire! On a serious note, I've never read The Other Boleyn Girl, but one of the executions ahead of Anne's has always bothered me. It's Henry Norris. From what I've read and heard, Norris had a normal relationship with H8 until a comment made by Anne about a dead man's shoes got H8 looking sideways at Norris. From there, it was downhill for Norris. In a way, you can say Anne got Henry Norris killed, but murdered by Anne? I can't stretch it that far. Thanks again for your interesting, thought-provoking videos! Take good care ~~
But why do it in the Q&A which is supposed to address the real history (I'm not sure how many people even read that part) and not in the main story, in the fictional part? And she does it in passing, like it's nothing and just moves on, instead of detailing what she means by it. This sounds like she actually believes that, instead of it being something to spice up a story.
Claire, no one I have ever run across knows more about Anne Boleyn than you. I think you would know if she was capable of, or had committed murder. Because of you, I know that Anne was a devout Christian (Don’t know if for Anne that would have been Catholic), and would have been concerned about the fate of her soul. I was raised Catholic myself and such things were drilled into us growing up. I don’t see how Anne would have even thought of murder, let alone committed the act.
Anne Boleyn strikes me as a major, yet subtle, flirt, who knew how to get what she wanted from men, without giving much back. Even if only all in good fun in Anne's mind, this subtle flirtation is a powerful art, and one that would have made her a threat to women. If the King wanted Anne out of the way, and if he was supported by the wives at court, the husbands at court would have followed suit, and Anne's days would have been numbered. Women who make groups of women jealous - even just in good fun - play a dangerous game.
Could Gregory be referring to Katherine of Aragon? I've watched tons of videos, and there are a lot of references to Anne trying to convince Henry VIII to have Katherine of Aragon and Mary I executed. Could it be possible that Gregory thinks Anne Boleyn had a hand in the Queens' death? Not saying I agree but just wondering what she's referring to
Claire do a video if Margaret Beaufort had lived to the age of 100. What would be the political ramifications?? How would she have helped Henry the 8th rule?? Think of all the things that Margaret would have witnessed if you would have added another 30 or 40 years to her life!!
Yeah... I'm skeptical, primarily because there's no explanation given, no context, just a statement like it's a fact that is hard to refute because it's so vague. Like a lot of the commenters here have said, Philippa Gregory hasn't really given me a reason to trust her writings about known events, why would I trust her thoughts about unknown?
Maybe it suits her books? Because how else can that be explained, if she was speaking of Anne? We are told of the severe limitations on women in this time and for centuries afterwards, but also told that the women are the ones to be blamed for plots and actually having the power. It doesn't seem logical.
Anne, her family, and her friends were too closely watched from the start to the end of her relationship with Henry for this to be feasible. That's not to say that she didn't engineer the deaths of her enemies, but that was through her political influence, role as Queen and crucially, with the blessing of Henry.
I just wish that Phillipa Gregory didn't play fast & loose with historical facts to twist it to her version of slanderous grossly underestimated inaccurate gossip mongering. Deplorable.
Didn't Philippa Gregory have Anne and her brother commit incest in attempt to get her pregnant? Yet don't historians agree that the adultery charges, including the incest charge, were a frame-up for Henry to get rid on Anne?
Yeah and maybe Elizabeth Barton, who prophesised against the king's marriage to Anne Boleyn. So basically anyone who died as a result of opposing the marriage. Seems like in that case it's Henry who is the murderer here, not Anne. He was the one with absolute power after all
I believe Ann was a terrible person and a horrible stepmother, but I seriously doubt she was a murderer. If she wanted someone dead, all she had to do was put him in Henry's path. He'd find some offense to justify execution.
Gregory is a terrible writer. Years ago I started reading the Other Boleyn Girl and threw it it down in frustration. I never finished it and I’ve certainly not watched the film.
One of the reasons I never watched The Tudors, far too Hollywoodesque for me. Too many heaving bosoms (obviously to boost viewing figures). I know Philippa Gregory's books are fiction but I agree with the general consensus here.
I don't know how Phillipa Gregory gets away with it. I suppose it is because the people who read her books or watch the movies based on them are very stupid and ignorant. It's fortunate for her that a dead person can't sue for libel. I feel very sorry for that poor cook and the people who died as a result of eating the food given as alms. My bet is that the food had gone bad. It was probably served first to Fisher and the High Table, the next few days to lower and lower tables until finally it was given out the back door as alms. By that time it probably WAS poisonous, but not intentionally poisoned.
A tad bit unfair to tar all who read Gregory's works as very stupid and ignorant. Not all who read her books believe what they read as fact. Some read her books for pure escapism as they are easy reads. Whatever reason they need etc. Unfair to judge them though.
@@Shane-Flanagan I don't think it is unfair. It's not as if my opinion is going to harm her readers. And my opinion is based on fact. If they were smart and knew something about the subject they would read better books.
@@dorothywillis1 Not harm them no but I'm sure some wouldn't appreciate being disparaged for what they read especially if it's for reasons such as pure escapism etc. Sometimes people like something light now and again that's why they may watch trashy TV shows etc for example.
@@Shane-Flanagan True. But nothing is going to change my opinion of the trash and the people who like it. After all, like people who review movies and plays and books for a living, I have a right to my opinion.
I think back then, if anyone was a threat to your power or position, they would of dispatched of them. Maybe not by their own hand, but by someone willing to do it. Look what happened to Anne. Evidence set up for a guilty verdict. I don't think Anne would need to have poisoned Katherine, she got the prize and Katherine was discarded. However, I am sure, like many people back then in a position of power, they could easily rid themselves of any threat regardless if you were the King or Queen.
@@anneboleynfiles it would have been good to have had a name of the" murder victim". I thought Catherine of Aragon because there were rumours she was poisoned and that sounds like murder rather than the people you mentioned who were executed. I know they are pretty much the same it was just the word murder to me implied it wasn't an execution she was referring to.
Anne was many things and most of these showed her in a negative light .(Not withstanding being one of Catherine of Aragons ladies in waiting ),she showed no loyalty to her mistress when Henry VIII made his move to woo her, knowing that what she was doing showed (her sense of herself)she was not above throwing her piety out of the window and consequently throwing her reputation into the dungheap of history.Like the men who tried to be King and failed, she was playing a dangerous game and consequently paid the price in the bearpit of Henry's court.She was maybe not a murderer in the personal sense but her own actions helped along by accidents of history/fate,led to her execution .The charges that condemned her were probably fake but a twist of fate cannot absolve her of the worst sin of all 'Betrayal of her mistress and everything that came from it.Boleyn seen in the light of 16th century morals has her reputation rightly castigated ,sympathy has to be with Catherine of Aragon and The Lady Mary.
its a novel, a story- a web of interest, some of it based on the truth, but in the end fiction. fiction by nature is a kind of lying, as it is not the truth it is a story. i like her work, but remember its vaguely based on truth
Anne Boleyn was smarter than everyone around her. Henry found out how smart she was, and had her murdered. Anne was much smarter than Henry, and he found that out. Anne could not live, once Henry realized he was a tool to Anne. Still, after all this time, Anne is still being treated poorly. Sadly, we still have to deal with the sexist issues that Anne dealt with. But no, Anne was not a murderer. Anne was just too smart and unfortunately, arrogant for her own good.
I'm probably going to muddy the waters even more here, especially because I don't remember the source. However, I do remember reading a book,( I don't think it was fiction, but I may be wrong) In said book Anne is very concerned about a letter and it's contents and wants to ensure that said letter and contents don't become public. Lol...Sounds so convoluted I think it must have been fiction Probably written by Philippa Gregory! Nonetheless I definitely remember something about something like that and I don't usually read fiction. Having said that there are quite a few none fiction writers out there who might as well be writing fiction ❤❤
Anne had written a letter to a woman, can't remember her name, that may have been compromising regarding her relationship with Henry Percy. I don't believe this lady met an untimely end.
Gregory seems to have an extremely negative opinion of Anne Boleyn, but it’s unclear why. Why put so much effort into using fiction and rumors to damage the reputation of a historic figure? Most people find Anne to be a sympathetic and even inspiring personality, but if you don’t like her, at least keep arguments in support of your position based in fact. Unfortunately, not everyone is adept at determining whether a source is reliable or not, so anyone writing historic fiction has a responsibility to make it clear when their works are not factual, and I get the sense Gregory prefers to blur those lines whenever possible.
She rose from the grave & gave already unwell Amy Robsart a shove? Maybe trying to help her daughter have (or prevent) a politically disastrous love match? No one ever talks about how close it was to Elizabeth’s birthday. Maybe a gift from the grave?
Yes, Anne was guilty of murder several times over. I had a letter written in her own hand confessing her crimes and detailing her motivations, but I lost it.
@@anneboleynfiles well I express my apologies. I’ve heard many other historians say otherwise, but I’ve never heard of that piece of evidence before! Thank you for informing me! I hope I didn’t come off as rude :)
I don't care for "The Other Boleyn Girl" at all. The book, TV movie or the film. Nope nope nope. Rubbish 🗑 I had not seen the Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansen version in years and I watched it yesterday. The acting is good and the costumes beautiful but it's just a garbage story. This is just more lies made up about Anne and her family to continue to blacken her name. She was many things but certainly NOT a murderer. She was a woman ahead of her time. She was outspoken, opinionated, fierce and in a state of power which went against the norms of the time for what was expected of a woman. And, we have all seen throughout history, patriarchal views villianizing women or any woman who went against their ideologies of what they "ought to be." There's zero proof to back up this ridiculousness that Anne had some hand in this. Probably severe food poisoning. You can become extremely ill from food poisoning. Maybe the soup wasn't prepared properly? Maybe the cook didn't wash their hands? Cross contamination? The only poisoning I believe that occurred was plain ol' food poisoning.
I wonder if the guilty party thought they were doing Ann or the King a favor? I enjoy Philipa Gregory's books. A good read of historical FICTION! I think she is a good writer and story teller.
I, on the other hand, have the disadvantage of knowing something about the people she is writing about and find myself shouting, "That's not how it was!"
@@UtahGmaw99 True. But if such changes are made the names of the characters should also be changed because it is no longer their true story. I would not object to "Based on the amazing career of Anne Boleyn!" But of course the author is not going to do that. It's the names that sell the story. I dislike fiction that twists the truth and sells it to the ignorant as the inside story.
After watching the film The Other Boleyn Girl, I would take anything Phillipa Gregory said with a pinch of salt lol.
An entire vat, lol
I couldn't even get 3 chapters in and threw the book bc of how many inaccuracies and the total sht pacing it had. I still cannot fathom why anyone likes anything she has done, not why anyone takes her serious when she clearly is incapable of basic research.
I made the mistake of actually giving one of her books a try: "The Last Tudor". I would NOT recommend it, I didn't finish it, I deleted it from Kindle, it wasn't just a slog to read through, but it felt like she was inventing things out of thin air just to make people look worse. I had heard Gregory was controversial, but I thought I'd give it a try, since the Grey sisters (Jane, Katherine and Mary Grey) are my historical favourites. From the first moment, she makes it clear Jane Grey hates animals. I'm surprised Gregory didn't have her kill her sister's kitten for fun. And I'm left wondering: why? Where did that come from? In no actual history book is it ever even slightly suggested she hated animals. And she gets to have so many films made after her books... But on the same topic, Elizabeth Fremantle's "Sisters of Treason" and Ella Chase March's "Three Maids for a Crown" are much better. I'm no expert in literature, but I absolutely loved those books and I would love to see those stories on screen, but Gregory for some reason is favoured. I don't get it.
@@kartos.I have never been more angry while reading. A whole load of BS
Horrible movie. I couldn't get through 15 minutes of it. Much less read the book.
Witch, adulteress, sinner, liar, incest, etc and now a murderer.... next it's gonna be she was a vampire 🙄 Poor Anne can never catch a break even all these centuries later 🤦🏻♀️
There was nothing "poor" about Anne Boleyn,her fate was not only the kings doing ,the choices she made added to the rapacious nature of power led to the fate she endured ,no one forced her into the situation she found herself in so she paid the price with her life and the innocent like her mistress Queen Catherine and The lady Mary also paid painfully for Anne's desire to be Queen.
Even her greatest fans would have to admit she was a bit of a mean girl. I would have definitely given her a swerve at court. Whether she physically killed anyone or not, she threatened and bullied people into thinking her influence over the King was such that she could have them killed. Thomas Cromwell took her threat seriously - as he was intended to.
@@robertc2619That’s incorrect. Henry pursued Anne for at least 6 years. Anne was in love with another man but Henry forbid it to continue because he wanted her for himself. Anne was trying to dodge a bullet, but what Henry wanted, Henry got no matter the cost. She finally gave in believing that he truly loved her. Not sure where you’re getting your information but check out more from Claire Ridgeway.
True plus she didn’t deserve to die but she was horrible person
@elanabethfariss117 Yes. He stalked her. Not that she's perfect (no one is). I'm sure she'd been happier married to Percy.
If Phillipa Gregory told me 2 + 2 = 4, I'd get my calculator out to check. An entire salt mine would not be enough to make me take her word for anything.
Philipa Gregory makes my blood boil. 'Clearly guilty'? How does she get away with such judgement, without citing a single source, or even fully explaining who was murdered, or how Anne supposedly did the deed? Gah! 🤯😡
Philippa Gregory is revisionist history. She really dislikes Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I.
I tried reading one of her books ("The Last Tudor") and I regret buying it. I didn't finish it and I deleted it from Kindle. It was frankly insulting to the real historical people it depicted. Apparently, Jane Grey really hated animals. I've no idea how she reached that conclusion or why she felt the need to add that, but there it was. I get maybe trying to accentuate a real trait or inventing something to fill in some important blank, but why invent things just to make people look terrible? So, yeah, I will avoid anything having to do with Gregory.
@@octavianpopescu4776 💯 agree!
@@octavianpopescu4776 she didn’t like Jane Grey either for some reason. I’m not sure if it’s the same book, but she wrote one about the 3 Grey sisters, with the middle sister (Catherine?) as the protagonist. Jane’s character was insufferable . I understand she was probably difficult. She was a teenager, after all. But in this, she’s a humorless fanatic, to make a contrast with her sister, I guess.🤷♀️
@@JJMarie3509 Yes, that's the book: The Last Tudor. I couldn't read past the part where she rejects Catherine's kitten... Yes, Catherine was the middle sister. If anything real-life Jane came across as actually funny to me, based on what I've read, she had a deadpan sarcastic sense of humor as far as I can tell.
Was she hard to deal with? I've heard the "teenager therefore difficult" theory, but it seems a bit of a lazy explanation painting all teenagers with a broad brush... too broad.
By all accounts, Anne was smart. I think she would have understood how high the stakes were and I believe she never cheated on Henry. Nor do I believe she was a murderer.
I've been studying Anne Boleyn off and on for forty years. I'm no fan of Philippa Gregory. She plays fast and loose with the historical evidence, and then highlights things that are (and were even in the period) little better than conspiracy theories to increase shock value. I read several of her novels, and at some point in every one, I threw the book across the room in frustration and fury. Frustration is easy to understand, but why fury? Because I believe she knows better, but just doesn't care.
Seems like the idea of eliciting reaction to boost sales? I would think it’s silly if you were trying to appeal to Anne fans.
I'm surprised you bought several of her books. Leafing through one book in the store was enough for me. (I did not throw it. I put it down firmly.)
her garbage is also the only book i have ever thrown! it reads like a gossip rag, full of nonsense.
@@dorothywillis1 There are libraries, and there are many books I have read while visiting relatives ... but I hope I would not treat a borrowed book like that.
Oth sometimes people gift You books they think You might like since You are interested in something or someone, that You discover are really bad.
@@dorothywillis1 Oh, I never bought any of them. They were library discards that were in dreadful condition. I tried three or four and never made it past fifty pages, even though I have a hard time not finishing a book.
I must confess to be no fan of Philippa Gregory. To write historical fiction as fiction is one thing. But to state these thi ga as facts with no contemporary sources or proof is quite another. And sadly, she is so popular that many believe her works of fiction ro be very true. Another good video Claire!
Thank you Claire 🌹
Wasn't familiar with the sad tale and fate of Bennett and Alice. Poor souls 🙏😔
Sounds like slander on Anne's memory by Gregory labelling Anne a murderer so matter of factly. Safe to say Anne was no murderer.
Disappointing to see that in this modern day, Anne is still being unfairly labelled and blamed for situations that had nothing to do with her, not her fault and out of her control etc.
Murder sells books.
True, but then have fictional characters do it in fiction books, instead of accusing real people of murder without much evidence.
Exactly. @@octavianpopescu4776
I believe she was innocent and set up.
The only author of historical fiction I read is Sharon Kay Penman. Wasn't Chapue a bitter enemy of Anne, so I take his pov with a pinch of salt.
I've hear Anne accused of poisoning Katherine of Aragon but the is total nonsense.
Oh, Penman is superb!
Chapuys clearly favoured Catherine in the whole affair and disliked Anne, BUT he's also the man who expressed serious doubts at the charges levelled at Anne, saying he never saw someone cheated on as happy as Henry was during those days. So he did think a lot of bad things about Anne, but he didn't think her capable of incest, treason and cheating on the King.
@@octavianpopescu4776he stole Henry's letters and gave them to the Pope.
Another very informative video! I suspect many people don't remember that "The Other Boleyn Girl" and HBO's "The Tudors" etc., are fictional stories based on actual historical people and events. That's why I always come to YOU to discover the facts about our favorite people. Thank you, Claire! I've learned (and continue to learn) so much from you! ❤
The Tudors is actually very precise with events and accurately portrays the struggles Anne went through during her time at court and her love for reform, that is my favorite portrayal precisely for that, Natalie Dormer researched Anne extensively and that made the difference. The other boleyn girl is bassically cheap fanfiction in which historical events are completely changed to suite the author's personal beliefs and then presented as fact
After reading The Other Boleyn Girl I was so angry I couldn't read another book written by Gregory. She has done such a grave disservice to history with her brash assertions and the demonization of Anne and George, that I fear she has unfortunately coloured the perceptions of those new to Tudor history. Even as fiction her writing is bad. The characters were poorly derived - there was no nuance to Anne and she practically beatified Mary. Alison's Weir's novel - while flawed - presents a more balanced point of view, delving into Anne's fascinating formative years at the courts in Europe and how they may have influenced her position on religion. I've also read many historical books about Anne with detailed footnotes sourcing the material (including yours) and all present her as an intelligent, religious woman - just not in the pious Catholic sense of the day. She definitely would have been concerned about her immortal soul and it is highly unlikely that she committed incest let alone murder. It is also well-known that Chapuys' accounts of the time are extremely biased due to his sympathies for Queen Catherine and the Princess Mary. Thank you Claire for your well-researched, balanced works on Anne and the devotion you pour into them.
Has anyone asked Phillipa Gregory what she meant by that statement?
I LOVE Phillips Gregory’s novels & think they are wonderfully written “FICTION”. I don’t mind poetic license for good “story”. I credit them with the drive to learn the true history of the events. It is very disappointing, however, that she chose to put things down as fact that there is no solid evidence for. Rather like quoting tabloids or Hollywood movies for history. I enjoy hearing the contemporary accounts you & other historians provide to get an idea of what we on in Tudor (& other) time. I appreciate your thorough research.
If a writer is going to write fiction they should not use the names of real people. But they do and fools believe the fiction. Many people DO quote tabloids or the movies as fact.
@@dorothywillis1 It depends. I've read historical fiction and it can be done in a respectful, appropriate way, even filling in some blanks and providing some plausible speculative explanation for some events. Then, I watched the 1st episode of a show this weekend, called My Lady Jane. It's Jane Grey... but fantasy, based on a young adult book, with people turning into animals. I was really sceptical about it, because the premise sounds insane and it's clearly, absolutely not historically accurate, not even close. But it has a charm, it feels like an odd, but touching tribute made with the best intentions. It doesn't pretend to be history and fully embraces the fiction. And I prefer in general historical accuracy, but I found I can respect that approach. But Gregory... nope... just nope... I tried reading one of her books ("The Last Tudor") and I couldn't finish it, it got on my nerves really fast.
@@octavianpopescu4776 Of course there is good historical fiction. But good historical fiction doesn't ignore facts and make historical figures do things they would never have done in reality, thus misleading innocent readers.
Not a fan of Phillipa Gregory’s work. Nothing but garbage in her books in my opinion.
Princess Florizella was pretty good. Maybe Gregory should have stuck to Kid Fic.
Many thanks for this broadcast Claire. This is indeed a puzzling claim. As 'The Anne Boleyn Files' offers a welcoming platform for all discussions regarding Anne, perhaps Philippa Gregory could set out her case here, on the website?
Could Gregory be referring to Catherine of Aragon's death? Although Anne was in a safer position with Catherine alive, I think I remember reading that some were eager to accuse Anne of having Catherine killed.
That’s what I thought as well
That was my first thought too.
Seriously? Some people think that Anne killed Catherine?
Did they forget that Catherine of Aragon was a Spanish princess? There was no way Anne could've done that and got away with it.
@@sarahemilywhite Yes, seriously. It isn't a new idea; many of her contemporaries thought she may have been poisoned to.
@@anonz975 But Anne was a smart woman. She knew it was too risky.
And besides....I heard that Anne Boleyn was a very religious woman. And murder is an unforgivable sin.
Hi Claire! Good video as always. I agree with Stephanie's comment ~~ Anne will next be a vampire!
On a serious note, I've never read The Other Boleyn Girl, but one of the executions ahead of Anne's has always bothered me. It's Henry Norris. From what I've read and heard, Norris had a normal relationship with H8 until a comment made by Anne about a dead man's shoes got H8 looking sideways at Norris. From there, it was downhill for Norris. In a way, you can say Anne got Henry Norris killed, but murdered by Anne? I can't stretch it that far.
Thanks again for your interesting, thought-provoking videos! Take good care ~~
IMHO, Ms. Gregory was being a little scandalous in order to boost sales.
But why do it in the Q&A which is supposed to address the real history (I'm not sure how many people even read that part) and not in the main story, in the fictional part? And she does it in passing, like it's nothing and just moves on, instead of detailing what she means by it. This sounds like she actually believes that, instead of it being something to spice up a story.
@@octavianpopescu4776 Excellent point.
Claire, no one I have ever run across knows more about Anne Boleyn than you. I think you would know if she was capable of, or had committed murder.
Because of you, I know that Anne was a devout Christian (Don’t know if for Anne that would have been Catholic), and would have been concerned about the fate of her soul. I was raised Catholic myself and such things were drilled into us growing up. I don’t see how Anne would have even thought of murder, let alone committed the act.
Anne Boleyn strikes me as a major, yet subtle, flirt, who knew how to get what she wanted from men, without giving much back. Even if only all in good fun in Anne's mind, this subtle flirtation is a powerful art, and one that would have made her a threat to women.
If the King wanted Anne out of the way, and if he was supported by the wives at court, the husbands at court would have followed suit, and Anne's days would have been numbered.
Women who make groups of women jealous - even just in good fun - play a dangerous game.
Same
They do at that
Cost me my marriage
I loved Katherine of Aragon, only thing I liked about her is the B necklace as that is the initial to my last name 😂😂😂I love your channel.
Could Gregory be referring to Katherine of Aragon? I've watched tons of videos, and there are a lot of references to Anne trying to convince Henry VIII to have Katherine of Aragon and Mary I executed. Could it be possible that Gregory thinks Anne Boleyn had a hand in the Queens' death? Not saying I agree but just wondering what she's referring to
Claire do a video if Margaret Beaufort had lived to the age of 100. What would be the political ramifications?? How would she have helped Henry the 8th rule?? Think of all the things that Margaret would have witnessed if you would have added another 30 or 40 years to her life!!
Yeah... I'm skeptical, primarily because there's no explanation given, no context, just a statement like it's a fact that is hard to refute because it's so vague.
Like a lot of the commenters here have said, Philippa Gregory hasn't really given me a reason to trust her writings about known events, why would I trust her thoughts about unknown?
Maybe it suits her books? Because how else can that be explained, if she was speaking of Anne? We are told of the severe limitations on women in this time and for centuries afterwards, but also told that the women are the ones to be blamed for plots and actually having the power. It doesn't seem logical.
Anne, her family, and her friends were too closely watched from the start to the end of her relationship with Henry for this to be feasible. That's not to say that she didn't engineer the deaths of her enemies, but that was through her political influence, role as Queen and crucially, with the blessing of Henry.
No, she wasn’t. But she was murdered by a despot lunatic.
I just wish that Phillipa Gregory didn't play fast & loose with historical facts to twist it to her version of slanderous grossly underestimated inaccurate gossip mongering.
Deplorable.
Didn't Philippa Gregory have Anne and her brother commit incest in attempt to get her pregnant? Yet don't historians agree that the adultery charges, including the incest charge, were a frame-up for Henry to get rid on Anne?
I wonder, could you contact Gregory and ask her to elucidate?
Could she have been referring to Thomas Moore? Then again there were others who also suffered for not signing the Oath.
Yeah and maybe Elizabeth Barton, who prophesised against the king's marriage to Anne Boleyn. So basically anyone who died as a result of opposing the marriage. Seems like in that case it's Henry who is the murderer here, not Anne. He was the one with absolute power after all
I believe Ann was a terrible person and a horrible stepmother, but I seriously doubt she was a murderer. If she wanted someone dead, all she had to do was put him in Henry's path. He'd find some offense to justify execution.
Gregory is a terrible writer. Years ago I started reading the Other Boleyn Girl and threw it it down in frustration. I never finished it and I’ve certainly not watched the film.
One of the reasons I never watched The Tudors, far too Hollywoodesque for me.
Too many heaving bosoms (obviously to boost viewing figures).
I know Philippa Gregory's books are fiction but I agree with the general consensus here.
I don't know how Phillipa Gregory gets away with it. I suppose it is because the people who read her books or watch the movies based on them are very stupid and ignorant. It's fortunate for her that a dead person can't sue for libel.
I feel very sorry for that poor cook and the people who died as a result of eating the food given as alms. My bet is that the food had gone bad. It was probably served first to Fisher and the High Table, the next few days to lower and lower tables until finally it was given out the back door as alms. By that time it probably WAS poisonous, but not intentionally poisoned.
It's sad, because there is good historical fiction, but she gets to hog all the attention.
A tad bit unfair to tar all who read Gregory's works as very stupid and ignorant. Not all who read her books believe what they read as fact. Some read her books for pure escapism as they are easy reads. Whatever reason they need etc. Unfair to judge them though.
@@Shane-Flanagan I don't think it is unfair. It's not as if my opinion is going to harm her readers. And my opinion is based on fact. If they were smart and knew something about the subject they would read better books.
@@dorothywillis1 Not harm them no but I'm sure some wouldn't appreciate being disparaged for what they read especially if it's for reasons such as pure escapism etc. Sometimes people like something light now and again that's why they may watch trashy TV shows etc for example.
@@Shane-Flanagan True. But nothing is going to change my opinion of the trash and the people who like it. After all, like people who review movies and plays and books for a living, I have a right to my opinion.
I think back then, if anyone was a threat to your power or position, they would of dispatched of them. Maybe not by their own hand, but by someone willing to do it. Look what happened to Anne. Evidence set up for a guilty verdict. I don't think Anne would need to have poisoned Katherine, she got the prize and Katherine was discarded. However, I am sure, like many people back then in a position of power, they could easily rid themselves of any threat regardless if you were the King or Queen.
She may have been talking about Catherine of Aragon as there are rumours she was poisoned.
Perhaps so
@@anneboleynfiles it would have been good to have had a name of the" murder victim". I thought Catherine of Aragon because there were rumours she was poisoned and that sounds like murder rather than the people you mentioned who were executed. I know they are pretty much the same it was just the word murder to me implied it wasn't an execution she was referring to.
Not a fan of Philippa Gregory. I read the White Queen and thought what a load of rubbish, so would not take anything she says as fact/possible
Maybe Philipa Gregory thinks she can get away with fiction since it's in the Q&A section.
Look her up on Wikipedia and the first description of what she is is a historical fictioana.l
Anne was many things and most of these showed her in a negative light .(Not withstanding being one of Catherine of Aragons ladies in waiting ),she showed no loyalty to her mistress when Henry VIII made his move to woo her, knowing that what she was doing showed (her sense of herself)she was not above throwing her piety out of the window and consequently throwing her reputation into the dungheap of history.Like the men who tried to be King and failed, she was playing a dangerous game and consequently paid the price in the bearpit of Henry's court.She was maybe not a murderer in the personal sense but her own actions helped along by accidents of history/fate,led to her execution .The charges that condemned her were probably fake but a twist of fate cannot absolve her of the worst sin of all 'Betrayal of her mistress and everything that came from it.Boleyn seen in the light of 16th century morals has her reputation rightly castigated ,sympathy has to be with Catherine of Aragon and The Lady Mary.
Thanks
its a novel, a story- a web of interest, some of it based on the truth, but in the end fiction. fiction by nature is a kind of lying, as it is not the truth it is a story. i like her work, but remember its vaguely based on truth
I agree, 'The Other Boleyn Girl' is considered historical fiction so I would expect for there to be inaccuracies.
Anne Boleyn was smarter than everyone around her. Henry found out how smart she was, and had her murdered. Anne was much smarter than Henry, and he found that out. Anne could not live, once Henry realized he was a tool to Anne. Still, after all this time, Anne is still being treated poorly. Sadly, we still have to deal with the sexist issues that Anne dealt with. But no, Anne was not a murderer. Anne was just too smart and unfortunately, arrogant for her own good.
How sad a thought, you have to sleep with your brother to save your life. You have to sleep with your sister in order to save her life .... horrific
That's why the charge was brought. It was the most horrible thing they could think of to accuse them of.
I'm probably going to muddy the waters even more here, especially because I don't remember the source. However, I do remember reading a book,( I don't think it was fiction, but I may be wrong) In said book Anne is very concerned about a letter and it's contents and wants to ensure that said letter and contents don't become public. Lol...Sounds so convoluted I think it must have been fiction Probably written by Philippa Gregory! Nonetheless I definitely remember something about something like that and I don't usually read fiction.
Having said that there are quite a few none fiction writers out there who might as well be writing fiction ❤❤
Anne had written a letter to a woman, can't remember her name, that may have been compromising regarding her relationship with Henry Percy. I don't believe this lady met an untimely end.
Gregory seems to have an extremely negative opinion of Anne Boleyn, but it’s unclear why. Why put so much effort into using fiction and rumors to damage the reputation of a historic figure? Most people find Anne to be a sympathetic and even inspiring personality, but if you don’t like her, at least keep arguments in support of your position based in fact. Unfortunately, not everyone is adept at determining whether a source is reliable or not, so anyone writing historic fiction has a responsibility to make it clear when their works are not factual, and I get the sense Gregory prefers to blur those lines whenever possible.
She rose from the grave & gave already unwell Amy Robsart a shove? Maybe trying to help her daughter have (or prevent) a politically disastrous love match?
No one ever talks about how close it was to Elizabeth’s birthday. Maybe a gift from the grave?
I'm surprised no one has put forward this theory!
A murderess? Hell, no! 🤬
Why would Anne halm anyone she was known to have a very generous nature
I would believe it from her father but Anne herself, no. Not a big fan of Thomas Boylen, myself, but he probably didn't do it either.
Cool story
Sounds like a way to elicit reactions, stirring the pot in a rather unscrupulous way. I’d say she’s done her job.
Philipa Gregory is not a legitimate historical source for anything.
Ms Gregory is a novelist who takes historical figures to write her tripe because she can't come up with her own plots.
Well, my opinion of Ann is in the middle.
Yes, Anne was guilty of murder several times over. I had a letter written in her own hand confessing her crimes and detailing her motivations, but I lost it.
LOL
😆🤣😂😝
You should write a book!
Philippa Gregory needs to go to school and learn her history, she's talking rubbish
Was there 2 films made? I saw the one with Natalie Portman.
Yes, the BBC made one in 2003 with Jodhi May and Natasha McElhone.
@@anneboleynfiles I will perhaps watch that thank you. Although I do prefer more accurate historical films.
6:06 Wolsey did not die of dysentery, but he did die of natural causes.
We know he did die of dysentery as his gentleman usher, George Cavendish, recorded his journey and his symptoms, in quite a bit of detail.
@@anneboleynfiles well I express my apologies. I’ve heard many other historians say otherwise, but I’ve never heard of that piece of evidence before! Thank you for informing me! I hope I didn’t come off as rude :)
...'effin Philippa Gregory... Sigh....
😂😁
❤️
I don't care for "The Other Boleyn Girl" at all. The book, TV movie or the film. Nope nope nope. Rubbish 🗑 I had not seen the Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansen version in years and I watched it yesterday. The acting is good and the costumes beautiful but it's just a garbage story.
This is just more lies made up about Anne and her family to continue to blacken her name. She was many things but certainly NOT a murderer. She was a woman ahead of her time. She was outspoken, opinionated, fierce and in a state of power which went against the norms of the time for what was expected of a woman. And, we have all seen throughout history, patriarchal views villianizing women or any woman who went against their ideologies of what they "ought to be."
There's zero proof to back up this ridiculousness that Anne had some hand in this. Probably severe food poisoning. You can become extremely ill from food poisoning. Maybe the soup wasn't prepared properly? Maybe the cook didn't wash their hands? Cross contamination? The only poisoning I believe that occurred was plain ol' food poisoning.
Gregory makes up her own history. I've stopped reading her books. Too historically inaccurate and over the top.
I wonder if the guilty party thought they were doing Ann or the King a favor? I enjoy Philipa Gregory's books. A good read of historical FICTION! I think she is a good writer and story teller.
I, on the other hand, have the disadvantage of knowing something about the people she is writing about and find myself shouting, "That's not how it was!"
@@dorothywillis1 Yes it is not always as it was. But writing is also an art. You have to make some sacrifices for the story line and character arch.
@@UtahGmaw99 True. But if such changes are made the names of the characters should also be changed because it is no longer their true story. I would not object to "Based on the amazing career of Anne Boleyn!" But of course the author is not going to do that. It's the names that sell the story. I dislike fiction that twists the truth and sells it to the ignorant as the inside story.