Anne and Elizabeth
The birth of a princess was a disappointment to her father Henry VIII.
Henry had been certain the child Anne Boleyn carried in 1533 would be his heir.
A son would have been proof of God’s favour for Henry’s marriage to Anne Boleyn.
Anne had promised a son.
The doctors, astrologers, and soothsayers had all predicted a boy.
The birth announcements for a prince had all been drawn up, and ready.
Celebratory jousts were planned…..
When Anne’s baby was a girl, it was a shock.
The jousts were cancelled and a tiny “s” was scribbled next to the word “prince” in the birth announcements.
There was a grand christening ceremony for
the princess on 10th September 1553, with the highest nobles in the land present.
Anne herself, made and embroidered her baby’s christening gown, as well as many other items for her precious baby.
Elizabeth’s cradle was carved, painted and gilded.
An order in Anne Boleyn’s expense records, show red damask was ordered to make Elizabeth’s bed covers, and a crimson fringe ordered for the head of her cradle.
Anne Boleyn, by all accounts, was a very loving mother.
A story claims that Anne wished to breastfeed Elizabeth personally, but Henry wouldn’t allow it.
Highborn women did not breastfeed their own children – especially queens.
Noble mothers showed their love and concern by choosing the best possible wet nurse for the task, someone who had a proven track-record of healthy babies.
Anne would have needed to get pregnant again as quickly as possible, and breastfeeding was known to reduce fertility.
Anne kept baby Elizabeth with her during the first few months, the princess would be lying on a cushion next to her, instead of shut away in the nursery.
Elizabeth was sent away to her own household at Hatfield on 10th December 1533.
Nobles of the era did not raise their own children.
Princes and Princesses had their own palaces, and armies of servants.
Anne chose the best people to take care of her baby.
Many of them were her relatives by blood or marriage.
Anne’s expense records are full of purchases for her daughter.
Anne wrote to Lady Bryan, Elizabeth’s nurse, frequently, to keep informed of her daughter’s progress.
Sadly, none of these letters survive, but we know Anne kept in close contact with those charged with her daughter’s care.
King Henry ordered Elizabeth weaned when she was two years and one month old.
He noted in his order that Anne was enclosing a letter – likely with further instructions and advice.
Anne also visited Elizabeth when she could steal some time away from her duties.
Princess Elizabeth was brought to court for holidays and special occasions.
When Katharine of Aragon died in January 1536, Elizabeth made her last appearance at her mother’s court.
Henry paraded her around, and showed her off to his courtiers.
Just a few days before her arrest, Anne went to her chaplain Matthew Parker.
Anxious about what will become of Elizabeth if anything should happen to her, Anne asked Parker to promise to look after her daughter.
It was a request that Parker took seriously – he spent the rest of his life trying to fulfill his promise.
🥀 Anne Boleyn and her daughter Queen Elizabeth I
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