Anne Boleyn is a subject of enduring fascination. By far the most famous of Henry VIII's six
wives she attracts millions of devotees across the world has inspired books documentaries
and films and is the subject of intense debate even today almost 500 years after her violent
death. For the most part she is considered in the context of her relationship with Tudor
England's much-married monarch. Dramatic though this story is of even greater interest - and
significance - is the relationship between Anne and her daughter the future Elizabeth I.
Elizabeth was less than three years old when her mother was executed at the orders of her
father. Given that she could have held precious few memories of Anne it is often assumed that
her mother exerted little influence over her. But this is both inaccurate and misleading.
Elizabeth knew that she had to be discreet about Anne Boleyn given the controversy that still
surrounded her downfall but there is compelling evidence that her mother exerted a profound
influence on her character beliefs and reign. Even during Henry's lifetime Elizabeth dared to
express her sympathy for her late mother by secretly wearing Anne's famous 'A' pendant when she
sat for a painting with her father and siblings. Piecing together evidence from original
documents and artefacts this book tells the story of Anne Boleyn's relationship with and
influence over her daughter Elizabeth. In so doing it throws new light on two of the most
famous and controversial women in history and will trace the legacy of their relationship all
the way up to the modern-day monarchy.
