Expert: Mark Smith - 12/16/2009

Question
To Mark,

What are the most controversial aspects, argued by historians, related to Anne Boleyn.

NB: "argued by historians," is crucial because this is for a historiographical task.  

Answer
Hello Tamara.
The most controversial aspects of Anne Boleyn's life are not, as you might expect, whether she was guilty of witchcraft, incest and adultery, everyone agrees she was innocent of the first two and probably so of the third. But it is the extent of her power over Henry and his political decisions. She was a strong advocate of religious reform and the main cause of debate is her involvement in the appointment of bishops and other important figures plus her complicity or otherwise in the executions of such figures as Thomas More and Bishop Fisher. One of the reasons for her downfall, in addition to her failure to produce a son, was the growing jealousy and suspicion of her rivals for power in Henry's Court.
Mark