What if Anne Boleyn hadn't been executed?

I agree that there was never any real chance that Henry would have spared Anne, but this is the sort of question that Im sure most of us have pondered from time to time. I think another possibility would have been that, had she been spared, she would still have been quietly murdered. That wasnt really Henry's style though. The trumped up charges against Anne were meant to destroy her reputation as well as her life, and if she was murdered or 'disappeared', it would have made her an innocent martyr. No, Anne was doomed from the day she miscarried her last pregnancy. Though, if she had lived, she would have been formidable.

Hello Claire, it's so lovely to have you back regularly. You have so much to offer us. I share your opinions on Anne couldn't be allowed to live in Henry's mind. He tried to erase her. He failed. In Egypt, a female Pharaoh, Hatshepsut's imagery, name were chiseled away from all of Egypt. The men failed to erase her. Live on, women leaders.

I think the only thing that spared Katherine of Aragon's life was the people's love for her and most importantly her connection to the Holy Roman Empire, who could have easily made things very difficult for Henry. I think even if Henry had been merciful, Anne wouldn't have lived long surely she would befall some unforeseen "accident" or "illness." And YES I could totally see her as another Margaret Beaufort!

Such an intriguing question! I would LOVE to read an alternate history where Anne lives - is sent to a nunnery and then escapes to the continent where she artfully attempts to manipulate the Tudor court from afar. So many possibilities!

It would have been nice for Elizabeth to be able to enjoy a relationship with her mother and Anne would have been able to straighten out the mistruths told about her.Anne did not deserve her fate as didn't the other 4 men. Wonderful discussion and thank you. I would love a talk about Queen Catherine's relationship with Anne Askew and what would be her fate if Anne had given her name. I love your lectures !

Assuming that Henry's third wife, Jane Seymour, would have died after the birth of her child, and that child was female, and assuming Henry determined that Anne of Cleves was an unacceptable wife...but I digress. Frankly, I'm quite happy that his daughter Elizabeth became Queen. However, "what ifs" are food for thought. Great question, @Shane Flanagan, and great responses from Claire--thank you both!.

Hi Claire! Nice to have you back with us. It would have been lovely if Anne had been spared; perhaps she could have been reunited with Elizabeth at some point. But there's always Henry, looming in the background, or Edward or Mary. I don't think Anne would have ever felt safe, no matter where she was. You were right about Henry. After the years of waiting for Anne and the problems with Katherine, he had no time to spend on another ex-wife who wouldn't give him what he wanted. Like you said, he needed that clean slate. I really wish Anne had been spared. But, as I've heard it said, where there has been great love, there can be great anger. Henry and Anne are prime examples of this. Thanks for the question to you and to Shane!

The only thing that would have saved Anne was having a living son in 1536, instead of miscarrying. And Anne would definitely not be safe in Mary’s reign, if Mary’s treatment of Elizabeth was any indication.

One thing for certain, Ann, would never have done anything to jeopardise Elizabeth's life or path to the throne by making any suspect move, here or abroad.

It's so wonderful to have you back doing videos again! It's a interesting scenario to ponder and ask what if.

Another hypothetical I often think about is how would the world be different if Catherine of Aragon had produced a surviving male heir for Henry

So late to this video! But I love this question. There’s a book series called “the Boleyn king” that did a “what if” the baby boy Anne carried in 1536 had lived. The first book in the series gives a glimpse of what Elizabeth’s relationship was like with Anne, and what Anne would be like as a dowager queen mother to her son.

I love all your works both books and videos. These “what ifs” of history are always fascinating.

Thanks so much Claire for answering this question. Very much appreciated 🙏 Yes we know it was quite unlikely Anne would've survived 1536 but it's interesting to ponder what if....... Side note, hearing Claire mentioned/reference my name in the video feels like getting a public shoutout from a celebrity lol 😂 Fangirl/boy moment 😅

I'm a novelist, and the idea of an alternative reality where Anne survives in a convent intrigues me.

Our views are basically the same on this subject. I also think Anne would have wanted apolitical marriage for her daughter before getting to the throne but the husband would have been a thorn in Elizabeth’s reign.

Thank you! I have often wondered this question. Glad to see you back on your channel. Love love love it!!

Such a fun video! I would love hearing your opinions on other topics involving history that never happened.

I love your vids and your work! It's so nice to see you on YouTube!!

I'm not sure that she would have lived past the reign of Queen Mary I. I could totally see Mary having her accused of heresy and executed by burning!