The
First Trial in the Fall of Anne Boleyn
Today marks the anniversary of the first
trial in 1536 of, at least indirectly, Anne Boleyn on charges of adultery. Anne, however, was not a participant in the
trial. Rather, at this trial each of
Mark Smeaton, Henry Norris, William Brereton and Francis Weston were charged
with multiple acts of adultery with the Queen.
Sadly, no transcript of the proceedings, if made (and that is doubtful),
survives. All were found guilty, thereby
sealing Anne’s fate. She did not attend
the trial; rather, at that time she was confined in the Tower of London. Her father, Thomas Boleyn, did sit on the
jury – his vote in favor of conviction sealed the fate of his children.
All four, along with George Boleyn, would be executed on May 17.
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