Before They Were Queens: Anne Boleyn
13th October 2026 by | Uncategorized
Before They Were Queens:
Anne Boleyn
Before the crown, before Henry, before the Tower, there was a girl whose education took her far beyond England.
Anne was the daughter of Thomas Boleyn, a courtier and diplomat, and Elizabeth Howard. Her exact birth year remains disputed, but her childhood was closely connected with Hever Castle in Kent. In 1513, her father secured her a place in the household of Margaret of Austria in the Netherlands. It was an extraordinary opportunity: a young English girl learning how to conduct herself at one of Europe’s most cultured courts. France followed. Anne initially served Mary Tudor, Henry VIII’s sister, who married the French king Louis XII. After his death, she remained in France in the household of Queen Claude. Those formative years helped shape the woman who returned to England: accomplished in French, with a sophistication and understanding of court life acquired through years of watching, listening and learning.
Imagine the unfamiliar voices, the rustle of fine gowns and the careful etiquette of royal households. Long before she attracted an English king’s attention, Anne had been finding her way in the world of European courts. We so often begin her story with Henry. There was already a life before him.
Our Strawberry Jam with French White Wine celebrates that French connection—a tribute to the young woman behind the familiar queen.
If you would like to purchase an individual jar or the complete Six Queens collection, please drop me a email at info@murderinthetower.london : UK delivery is free. We also welcome enquiries from castles, museums and heritage sites interested in stocking the range.
Our jams and preserves can be paired with my historical novels to create gift sets—a little taste of Tudor history to enjoy at home.
Best wishes
Gemma
Author and British Historian Founder, The Princes in the Tower Society Member of The Norfolk Archaeological Trust Member of The Historical Novel Society www.murderinthetower.london