The Beheading of Queen Anne Bullen - contemporary woodcut

Contemporary Letter on Anne Boleyn's Execution

Edmund Harvel from Venice, to Dr. Starkey: after
   the arrival of the News of Queen Anne Boleyn's
   execution.

[MS. COTTON. NERO B. VII. fol.110. Orig.]

 *  *  *  *

Your Newis I have seen, but thes other wiche more dais passid wer divulgid of the Quenis case made a grete tragedye wiche was celebrate by al mennis voyces with admiration and grete infamy to that Woman to have betrayed that noble Prince after soche maner, who had exaltid her so highe, and put himselff to peril, not withowt perturbacion of al the Worlde for her cawse. But God shewid himselff a rightful judge to discover soche highe treason and iniquite. But al is for the best, and I reken this to the Kings grete fortune that God would give him grace to see and towche with the hand what enemyes and traytors he lyvid withal; of the wiche inconvenience his Grace is fayre delyverid, for what time ther might have folowid dommage to his Grace inestimable.

 Venice 26 May 1536.



Source:

Original Letters, Illustrative of English History. Vol.2.
Henry Ellis, ed. London: Harding and Lepard, 1827. 77-8.




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