Chapter 1, pgs. 1-19 Summary and Analysis

Henry VII is trying to have his marriage to Catherine of Aragon dissolved but Pope Clement VII refuses, following the wishes of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, the nephew of Catherine. In January 1533, Henry marries Anne Boleyn, the woman he loves. Parliament passes the Act of Restraint of Appeals which prohibits appeals to Rome for divorces. Chapuys, a representative from Rome, comes to discuss the issue with Henry. The King has a daughter, Mary, by Catherine, but wants a male heir. Anne is pregnant at the time of their secret marriage.

A few days later, Thomas Cranma, Archbishop of Canterbury, declares the marriage to Catherine invalid. Anne is crowned on June 1. In September, Anne gives birth to a daughter. The baby is named Elizabeth and she is sent to Hatfield to live. Anne has two more pregnancies...