Question from Dru - Background on Anne's "B" necklace
posted by Lara | 4:40 PM
I'd love to know if anyone knows the history behind Anne's famous "B" necklace? Beyond the 'B' obviously standing for Boleyn I can't seem to find any information on it. It seems so distinctive and has become one of her trademarks but where did it come from? Might it have been a gift or a family heirloom? Were necklaces like hers already fashionable or was Anne trendsetting again?
My thanks for any answers.
Dru
My thanks for any answers.
Dru
12 Comments:
There is no firm evidence on when she commissioned the jewels, or if they were gifts to her. It's noticebale, however, that they were the object of attention during her own lifetime, which suggests that they were innovative (i.e. that she was largely responsible for pioneering them.) We know that she also had a hanging broach which incorporated her full initials, 'AB,' into a gold and pearl design & an 'A' necklace, not dissimilar to the more famous 'B' one we see in many portraits of her. There's also the important fact that the initialled jewels were preserved by someone in her household and passed on to Elizabeth, suggesting that they were very much associated with Anne; there are a few mentions of Elizabeth wearing the jewels during her reign. After her death, in 1603, we don't know what became of them.
In the book by Alison Weir, Henry VIII King and Court, pg. 192, she writes that "personalized jewellry was highly popular." ... "Henry VIII owned a chain with H's between the links..." She confirms that Anne had not only the "B" necklace, but also the "AB" and the "A" necklace as well. She also says that Anne's "A" necklace can be seen worn by Elizabeth in the Whitehall family group portrait.
If I may add to this, I am aware of several necklaces with pendant initials in jewelery inventories from the 1540s and 1550s. That was, of course, after Boleyn was executed, but it suggests to me that she was following a common enough trend.
I have read many books about her. And the B on her necklace supposedly covers up a large mole in the center of the neck.
Alas, the myth of Anne Boleyn's moles, extra fingers and warts are just that - myths. R.M. Warnicke has convincingly proved that they are all false and even her detractors now conclude that the majority are invented. Any necklaces that Anne is painted wearing all have very thin collars - the "B" pendant in particular - none of which would be substantial to cover up a large mole and/or wart.
My version :-)
http://www.gigicaron.com/vivat_regina.asp?path=neck_boleyn&thumbstrip=0
I'm not entirely sure how accurate this is, but I read somewhere that her necklace was a gift from her father, Thomas Boleyn. I would imagine that his aims would be to remind Henry that he was Anne's father.
does anyone know where the necklace is today?
P
If it wasn't destroyed along with so many of Anne's possessions, its kept well-hidden.
I want to see it.
It is owned by a far off descendant of Anne's, Canadian born woman in her 50's and married to one of the waspy patriarch's of NYC society (clue, in his 80's and lives in the snobbiest penthouse in the poshest co-op in NYC)....Before that dated for a decade one of the richest men in France....Know this due to knowing the woman for ages (best friend of my mother's) and there was a funny case in which she wanted portrait painted of her by a well known society portraitist wearing the B necklace yet he refused to paint her with it on since "it would distract from the portrait.....", Lord! Anyways don't know or never asked her why she would never wear it in public, its in a safety deposit box in London.....Can't mention her name or my mother will kill me literally. Enough jewelry gossipy chatter for today!
Cheers!
As per the necklace being in the hands of a far off descendant of Anne's, this cannot possibly be true. Anne had only one living child, Elizabeth, who had no children. Her blood line ended. She has no descendants. It is probably more true that this woman is lie telling to make herself look important. I can't imagine anyone having this necklace and nobody knowing about it.
Sorry to have busted your bubble.
That might be the funniest thing I've ever read. Indeed, someone trying to sound important. It's unfortunate the necklace was lost though... it is so prominent in the history of Anne Bolyen.
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