As a cinephile with a deep affection for British history, particularly the Tudor era, I must say that the portrayal of Anne of Cleves in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light has been nothing short of revelatory. Growing up in the UK, it’s hard not to be familiar with the six wives of Henry VIII, and Anne, often dismissed as the “ugly wife,” has always been a figure of intrigue.
It’s possible that your education in the U.K. has provided you with some understanding or familiarity with the Tudor period.
It appears that as a country, we hold a particular fondness for this stormy royal family, often focusing on it at the expense of more contemporary historical events. The six wives of King Henry VIII might be what this dynasty is most known for.
Among the unlucky group, no one received less recognition than Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII’s fourth wife. Their short-lived union with the formidable king is frequently oversimplified as “he found her unattractive”.
Originally proposed by Henry himself, this notion has been echoed by various individuals across history, such as the esteemed Gilbert Burnet, Bishop of Salisbury, who referred to Anne as being remarkably similar to a “mare from Flanders” in the year 1679.
It’s quite an achievement for Henry and his associates to have persuaded the public that a kind 25-year-old woman was at fault in a sightless marriage to a man twice her age, who struggled with severe obesity, a foul leg wound, gout, and boils.
In the fifth episode of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light, it attempts to set the record straight by narrating the extraordinary tale of Anne Boleyn’s initial encounter with King Henry, effectively turning the tables on a man whose reputation was tarnished long ago due to his fragile glass palace.
Remarkably, it’s accurate to say that the king unexpectedly abandoned his meticulously planned introduction of Anne to London. Instead, he chose to go out to greet her on the road and, strangely, made an attempt at a grand romantic gesture by dressing up in disguise.
In Wolf Hall, history shows us that Anne Boleyn initially failed to grasp this tricky maneuver; she mostly disregarded the peculiar stranger who entered her temporary lodgings to present a gift “on behalf of the King”.
Upon discovering that the man was indeed her future spouse, she felt both astonished – triumphantly so – yet found it challenging to conceal her distaste from a monarch who, to phrase delicately, did not match the descriptions provided.
Despite the questionable concept of “conventional beauty,” Anne didn’t appear as hideous or monstrous as Henry’s criticisms suggest. It’s possible that their disastrous first encounter may have clouded Henry’s perspective on her, leading him to see her differently.
Indeed, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light invites contemplation about how differently the marriage could have transpired if Thomas Cromwell’s original plans were carried out, providing Anne Boleyn with ample opportunity to perfect an expression of feigned affection towards her spouse.
Absolutely, what’s more important is how Hilary Mantel’s historical narrative gives Anne a renewed sense of dignity and autonomy, portraying her as a wise, courteous, and rational individual, despite her having a rather secluded childhood.
In a way that’s not typical for fanfiction, it’s clear that Anne’s charming character made her a continued favorite at the Royal Court, even after her marriage to Henry was declared null.
Without much enthusiasm due to her unsatisfactory stint on the initial Married at First Sight, she agreed amicably to the termination of their union without any objection, receiving a generous settlement in the form of land and real estate.
Anne of Cleves later became known as “the King’s Affectionate Sister.” She frequently accompanied Henry, his children, and his fifth wife, Catherine Howard. During this time, she developed a strong friendship with young Princess Elizabeth.
Unfortunately, it led to trouble for her during Queen Mary I’s rule, yet she managed to survive longer than any of Henry’s other queens, living a relatively peaceful life until her mysterious death from an unidentified illness in her last year.
In Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light, there’s insufficient time to explore Anne of Cleves’ complete narrative fully, yet from this fleeting glimpse, it’s evident that her historical portrayal should not be reduced to the derogatory, misogynistic label of “ugly wife” that has persisted through time.
In the midst of constant turmoil, an extraordinary event unfolded: A woman hailing from a distant, unknown land, who was not yet fully fluent in English, managed to marry a cruel and gruesome king known for his beheadings, and not only survived but thrived within that challenging environment!
She was undeniably a sociable and friendly diplomat, possessing the knack to win over nearly everyone – ranging from her former husband in a non-romantic context, to the staff in her household, who admired her for her kindness and generosity as an employer.
If we wish to continue emphasizing the Tudors in our UK school curriculum, it would be beneficial to draw inspiration from “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light” by portraying Anne of Cleves not as the “ugly wife,” but as the resilient immigrant Queen who not only survived but prospered.
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2024-12-09 03:04