Anne Boleyn
Boleyn, Anne (1507–1536), a queen of England. She was the second wife of Henry VIII and the mother of Queen Elizabeth I. Anne became lady of honor to Henry's first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Anne soon fascinated the king with her wit and beauty. Disappointed at not having a male heir, Henry had his marriage with Catherine declared invalid in 1533. He had already secretly married Anne some months earlier.
Anne also failed to bear a son, and was in turn supplanted in the king's affections by her own maid of honor, Lady Jane Seymour. In 1536 Anne was convicted of adultery and was beheaded May 19. Whether there was any truth to the charges against her has been a matter of historical dispute.