New Research Sheds Light on Anne Boleyn’s Letter from the Tower

Shedding Light on the Paper Trail of Anne Boleyn’s Message to Henry VIII

London, UK – WEBWIRE – Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Queen Anne Boleyn with an image of the watermark on the Letter from the Tower, courtesy of the British Library Board

Research into Anne Boleyn’s Letter from the Tower has focussed on the watermark found in the paper, showing that the paper was manufactured in the early 17th century and not in 1536 while Anne Boleyn was held in the Tower of London by Henry VIII. While we may not know if it is a copy of a contemporary letter, we can now say that the existing "Letter from the Tower" is not from Anne Boleyn’s lifetime.

Centuries of speculation surrounding the authenticity of Anne Boleyn’s Letter from the Tower have been reignited by historian Amanda Glover’s groundbreaking research. The letter, purportedly penned by Anne Boleyn to her husband Henry VIII while imprisoned in the Tower of London, has long intrigued historians.

Housed in the British Library, the letter’s damaged state and lack of Anne’s handwriting or signature have fueled scepticism. Glover’s examination of the letter’s paper, particularly its watermark, provides compelling insights to pinpoint its age and authenticity.

With special access to the document, Glover meticulously studied and photographed the watermark, a crucial clue in dating the paper. Her exhaustive search through thousands of watermarks on documents of known date yielded two close matches—one from 1606 and the other from 1609.

“In this era, watermarks were not used for extended periods,” explained Glover, “allowing us to narrow down the date of the paper to within a few years.”

The findings challenge assumptions about the letter’s provenance, suggesting it likely dates to the early 17th century. This prompts a reevaluation of its place in Tudor history and its significance as a historical artefact.

The research adds a new dimension to ongoing scholarly discourse about Anne Boleyn’s legacy. As historians continue to unravel the mysteries of the past, the Letter from the Tower stands as a poignant reminder of one of England’s most captivating historical figures, though it may not be contemporary with Anne Boleyn’s time in the Tower of London.

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