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The Trial of Anne Boleyn, 1536 Anne Boleyn was the second of Henry VIII's six wives. Henry married her secretly in January 1533, and she gave birth to Princess Elizabeth (later Elizabeth I) in September the same year.

But Anne's position was vulnerable. Her Protestant faith and involvement in court politics made her many enemies. She also failed to deliver the son that Henry so craved and he began divorce proceedings a mere three years after their wedding. On 15th May 1536 Anne was brought before a specially assembled court and accused of using her feminine wiles to seduce some of the King's closest friends and servants, not least her own brother, Viscount Rochford. Having bound them to her will with promises of favours and possible marriage, she had then secretly plotted against the King. Not surprisingly, Anne was found guilty and sentenced to death. She was beheaded with a sword on Tower Green on 19 May 1536.

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