Mary Boleyn Timeline 1500-1543

Mary Boleyn, was born to Thomas Boleyn and Elizabeth Howard at Blickling Hall, Norfolk.

Mary’s sister, Anne Boleyn, was born to Thomas Boleyn and Elizabeth Howard at Blickling Hall, Norfolk.

Mary’s brother George, was born to Thomas Boleyn and Elizabeth Howard at Blickling Hall, Norfolk.

The family moved to Hever Castle in Kent after Mary’s father inherited the property from his father.

King Henry VII died. He was succeeded by his son, King Henry VIII.

Mary and her sister Anne were selected to go to France as maids to Princess Mary, sister of King Henry VIII who was to be married to King Louis XII of France.

Mary Tudor married King Louis XII of France.

King Louis XII of France died.

Mary Boleyn was asked to serve the new Queen of France, Queen Claude, wife of Francis I.

It is believed that Mary, began an affair with King Francis I.

Mary returned to England.

Mary Boleyn began an affair with Henry VIII. It is not known whether the affair began before or after her marriage.

Mary, married William Carey, a member of the King’s Privy Chamber. King Henry VIII attended the wedding and gave them 6 shillings and 8 pence (£200 today) as a wedding present.

Mary’s sister, Anne Boleyn returned to England from France.

Anne Boleyn, aged 15 years was given a place in Catherine of Aragon’s household.

A daughter Catherine, was born to Mary Boleyn and William Carey. Some historians believe she may have been fathered by King Henry VIII.

Henry VIII aged 35 years asked Anne Boleyn aged 19 years to become his mistress. He was amazed when she refused saying that she would only surrender her virginity to the man she married.

A son, Henry, was born to Mary Boleyn and William Carey.

Henry VIII was determined to marry Anne Boleyn and set about gaining a divorce from Catherine of Aragon.

Mary’s husband, William Carey died of sweating sickness. Their son, Henry Carey was made a ward of Anne Boleyn.

Mary had been left penniless following her husband’s death. Anne Boleyn persuaded Henry to grant her a pension of £100 per year.

Mary Boleyn was selected as one of Anne Boleyn’s companions on a state visit to France. The party, including Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Henry Fitzroy, Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk, the Duke of Norfolk and Thomas Cromwell as well as other members of the nobility sailed from Dover to Calais.

Mary was at court for the New Year celebrations.

Anne Boleyn, who was pregnant, and King Henry VIII were secretly married in the King’s chapel at Whitehall by Dr Rowland Lee, one of the royal chaplains.

Thomas Cranmer declared that Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon was null and void on the grounds that it was contrary to divine laws. Bishop Fisher protested against the decision.

Anne Boleyn was crowned Queen consort of England in St Peter’s Abbey, Westminster. Mary was part of the procession that followed Anne from Westminster Hall to the Abbey. Although people lined the streets to watch, there was no cheering for the new Queen.

Anne gave birth to a baby girl with red hair and her mother’s features. Henry was disappointed that the child was a girl and blamed both God and Anne for denying him a son. She was named Elizabeth after Henry’s mother.

Anne’s daughter, Princess Elizabeth, was christened and confirmed by the Bishop of London in the church of Franciscan Friars at Greenwich. Her godparents were the dowager duchess of Norfolk, the dowager marchioness of Dorset and Thomas Cranmer.

Mary Boleyn secretly married William Stafford, second son of an Essex landowner, a soldier serving at the garrison of Calais. Her sister and the Boleyn family disowned her, she was banished from court and her pension was cut off. It is likely that Mary went to Calais with her husband.

A son, Edward, was born to Mary Boleyn and William Stafford.

Mary and William Stafford were struggling financially. Mary asked Thomas Cromwell to speak to the King and her sister regarding some form of support. Anne sent Mary a gold cup and some money but refused to allow her to return to court.

A daughter, Anne, was born to Mary Boleyn and William Stafford.

Catherine of Aragon died. It was commonly believed that Anne Boleyn had slowly poisoned her to death. Nowadays it is believed that she died from cancer.

Anne Boleyn miscarried of a son four months into her pregnancy. The child was badly deformed and Henry saw this as clear evidence of God’s displeasure with the marriage.

Henry believed that the miscarriage of a son was God’s way of declaring that his marriage to Anne Boleyn was unlawful either because of her earlier pre-contract to James Butler or because of his affair with Mary Boleyn. He decided that he needed to find a way out of his marriage to Anne.

Henry signed a document authorising commissioners to enquire into any kind of treason committed by Anne Boleyn.

Anne and George Boleyn were taken to the Tower of London.

Anne Boleyn was indicted before a grand jury for treason. She was charged with having committed adultery with Henry Norris, Francis Weston, William Brereton, Mark Smeaton and incest with her brother George. It was alleged that George was the father of the deformed baby. Anne was also charged with plotting to murder the King and making fun of him in public.

Anne Boleyn was tried by 26 peers of the realm including her uncle, the Duke of Norfolk, who presided over the trial. Although Anne argued her innocence she was found guilty and sentenced to die by burning or beheading whichever the King chose. Her brother George was tried after Anne and was also found guilty.

Anne Boleyn was executed by beheading with a single stroke of the sword. She was buried in the choir of the royal chapel of St Peter ad Vincula.

Mary’s mother, Elizabeth Howard, died.

Mary’s father Thomas Boleyn died.

Mary’s husband, William Stafford, was chosen to be part of the party that would welcome Anne of Cleves when she arrived at Calais.

Mary and William Stafford returned to England. Mary was granted Rochford Hall, which had been owned by her father.

Mary Boleyn died.