It is 10.57am here in England and by this time in 1536 it was all
over. Queen Anne Boleyn had been executed at the tower of London, her body and head wrapped in a white sheet and placed in an ebony chest ready to be buried under the church of St Peter ad vincula.
I'd like to share her speech with you. Notice that even though she is about to die, there is no admission of guilt here.
Good Christian people, I am come hither to die. For according to the law, and by the law, I am judged to die and therefore I will speak nothing against it. I am come hither to accuse no man, nor to speak anything of that, whereof I am accused and condemned to die, but pray God save the King, and send him long to reign over you, for a gentler nor more merciful prince was there never: and to me he was ever a good, a gentle and sovereign Lord. And if any person will meddle of my cause, I require them to judge the best. And thus I take my leave of the world, and of you all, and I heartily desire you all to prey for me. O Lord have mercy on me. To God I commend my soul.
She then allowed her ladies to cover her eyes and keeled in front of the crowd. She whispered her prayers as the sword of Calais stood behind her. The blow was so fast and so strong that it removed her head in one stroke, her lips were still moving in prayer for a few seconds afterwards.
A sad day for me. I will however be raising a glass in her memory this evening. <3
