The Final Year of Anne Boleyn

By: Natalie Grueninger

Narrated by: Polly Lee

Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

There are few women in English history more famous or controversial than Queen Anne Boleyn. In this vivid and engaging account of the triumphant and harrowing final year of Queen Anne Boleyn's life, the author reveals a very human portrait of a brilliant, passionate, and complex woman.

The last year of Anne's life contained both joy and heartbreak. This telling period bore witness to one of the longest and most politically significant progresses of Henry VIII's reign, improved relations between the royal couple, and Anne's longed-for pregnancy. With the dawning of the new year, the pendulum swung. In late January 1536, Anne received news that her husband had been thrown from his horse in his tiltyard at Greenwich. Just days later, tragedy struck. As the body of Anne's predecessor, Katherine of Aragon, was being prepared for burial, Anne miscarried her son. The promise of a new beginning dashed, the months that followed were a roller coaster of anguish and hope, marked by betrayal, brutality, and rumor. What began with so much promise, ended in silent dignity, amid a whirlwind of scandal, on a scaffold at the Tower of London.

Through close examination of these intriguing events considered in their social and historical context, listeners will gain a fresh perspective into the life and death of the woman behind the tantalizing tale.

©2022 Natalie Grueninger (P)2023 Tantor

I appreciated the detailed history of Anne Boleyn’s final year.

I’m love Tudor history. I was very excited when I saw this book was available. I recommend it to anyone who needs a thorough telling of Henry the VIII’s second wife’s last days before her unjust death. I often wonder how history would have changed if Queen Anne hadn’t lost so many childbearing years waiting to marry Henry. Of course, Queen Katherine also lost childbearing years waiting to marry him, too. If a male child—by either woman—outlived Henry, history would have been different, perhaps. Elizabeth I still could have been Queen. So many lives were lost when Henry broke with Rome—but he did it because he loved a woman and desperately wanted a male heir. Cromwell certainly got rid of a lot of powerful men when he brought down Anne! Then it was his turn…! I’m glad I wasn’t living at that time and spending time at Court wasn’t always good for one’s health! Excellent book! I’ll be listening to this book again! E

About time

I am so happy that there is an author who actually states that Henry the eighth was responsible for his wife’s downfall. People keep trying to say that it was Cromwell alone and that to me is so bogus think about it if Anne had a son, he would never have been able to get to her. The fact that she only gave him a daughter made her very vulnerable. She became very dispensable to Henry the eighth. I am so pleased with this book. Well done! Henry eighth is not some dumb, idiot, who didn’t understand what was going on!

A very detailed telling of Anne’s last year

Natalie tells a very Anne centered story. Wonderfully detailed, at times minute by minute recount of the events of the summer of 1535-1536.

Very well researched and concise!

I am an avid fan of Tudor history and especially of Anne Boleyn. This book was incredibly well researched and informative. I learned so much and thoroughly enjoyed it. Would definitely recommend to any lover of Tudor history.

Narrator did a great job

The store was nothing new, I devour every book I can find about Anne and this book just didn’t offer anything we don’t all already know. That said the narrator did an amazing job of retelling the same details in every other book. Her voice was melodic and she kept me engaged. It’s a decent book was just looking for more!!!!