This will be part of the British Library’s 500th anniversary exhibition that I previously blogged about.
From the BBC:
Concealed in the Vatican for almost five centuries, a love letter from King Henry VIII to his second wife Anne Boleyn is to go on display at the British Library in London.
Probably written in January 1528, it shows a softer side to the infamously bloodthirsty royal as he pursues her.
He assures Anne that “henceforth my heart will be dedicated to you alone,” and apologises profusely for ever suggesting she could be a mere mistress.
…It reads: “The demonstrations of your affection are such, and the beautiful words of your letter are so cordially phrased, that they really oblige me to honour, love, and serve you for ever….
“For my part, I will out-do you, if this be possible, rather than reciprocate, in loyalty of heart and my desire to please you.
“Beseeching you also that if I have in any way offended you, you will give me the same absolution for which you ask, assuring you that henceforth my heart will be dedicated to you alone, and wishing greatly that my body was so too.”
The letter is signed like a love-sick schoolboy, “H seeks A.B, No Other Rex,” alongside his beloved’s initials in a heart.
Full article (with small picture of the letter)
Thank you so much for posting the letter from King Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn. Living in the USA I am very envious of all who can attend the many different exhibtis for the 500th Anniverary. All we have is what people in the UK share with us. I am looking forward to more stories and perhaps even some photographs.
I have seen the writings of this letter.There is a total of 17 love letters Henry wrote to Anne but only one in response from Anne boleyn exsists.But their is evidence to say that Anne written to Henry also.Henry’s first love letters to Anne were in french.Then after he started to write to her in english.Also at the time the king was courting Anne and couldn’t be with her he sent her a bracelet with his picture on it.So she would always be sure he was hers.
Love letters may be an inherently embarrassing genre, but that is one cringe-inducing performance.
Maybe something was lost in translation? Although the letters in a heart is something a 12-year-old schoolGIRL would do! (Not that I would have ever done something like that… no, of course not… and any old papers that may surface written in purple and silver metallic marker with hearts and initials is totally not mine.)
Ah…silver metalic markers with drawn hearts and reams of paper showing “Mrs. Tracey Whomever”. 🙂 Now that stuff just makes me laugh, reminding me of a romantic fixation. In Henry’s case…
Probably absolute RAGE because of how the relationship ended. Just as well the letters ended up in Rome or his true “initial” feelings for Anne would have been another point debated by historians.
Henry was absolutely ga-ga over Anne, wasn’t he!
Would it be extremely sad to admit that I can