A. The Tragic End of Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn was executed on May 19, 1536, within the Tower of London.
- Following her beheading on Tower Green, her body was taken to the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula.
- She was buried in an unmarked grave near the altar, alongside other notable figures.
B. Reasons for Burial in the Chapel
- As a former queen executed for treason, Anne was denied a royal tomb.
- The chapel was reserved for those of high status who died within the Tower.
- Her burial here reflects the complex political and religious context of Henry VIII’s reign.
C. The Location of Anne’s Grave
- The exact location of Anne’s grave remains unknown.
- The grave was left unmarked to discourage veneration or pilgrimage.
- Archaeological efforts have attempted to locate her remains, but definitive identification remains elusive.
Other Notable Burials in the Chapel
The Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula is also the final resting place for several other famous and tragic figures from Tudor history.
A. Catherine Howard
- Henry VIII’s fifth wife, also executed for adultery, is buried near Anne Boleyn.
- Their graves symbolize the perilous nature of queenship during Henry’s reign.
B. Lady Jane Grey
- Known as the “Nine Days’ Queen,” Lady Jane Grey was executed for treason.
- Her burial here marks the chapel as a place of royal tragedy.
C. Thomas More and Other Political Prisoners
- The chapel also holds the remains of Thomas More, the famous statesman and martyr.
- Many other nobles and courtiers executed in the Tower are buried here. shutdown123