Thursday, October 22, 2015

Question from Candace - Chapuy on Anne Boleyn's miscarriage

I was reading some of Eustace Chapuys's correspondence and came across this sentence in his report of Anne Boleyn's miscarriage in January 1536, the one that would have been her saviour: "The Princesss gouvernante, her daughters, and a niece, have been in great sorrow for the said [miscarriage], and have been continually questioning a lady who is very intimate with the Princess whether the said Princess did not know the said news of the [miscarriage], and that she might know that, but they would not for the world that she knew the rest, meaning that there was some fear the King might take another wife." Is Chapuys referring to Lady Salisbury, Mary's old governess? Does this mean that they viewed Anne's downfall with trepidation, since they feared that Henry might take another wife who would be similarly ill-disposed to Mary? Or did they simply not want to get Mary's hopes up that they might be rid of Anne for once and for all? I can't seem to find anything else on this sentence, and I was wondering if anyone here might have some additional insight to offer. Thanks!

2 comments:

Roland H. said...

'The Princesss gouvernante' referred to was Princess Mary's current governess Lady Shelton (an aunt of Anne Boleyn), not her former (Margaret Pole).

I suppose from the ladies' point of view, the less Mary knew about Anne's misfortune, the better. Otherwise, she would be emboldened to be more defiant towards Anne.

Candace said...

Okay, that makes a lot more sense. Thanks!