Anne Boleyn & Witchcraft


While conducting research for Melina and I's presentation on Harry Potter, I stumbled across a video on WitchTok about how a portrait of Anne Boleyn can be seen hanging in the hallway of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the first book in the series. The TikTok user, historywithhenrietta, says that her portrait is included because she was accused of witchcraft and that is what led to her execution. My interest was peaked and I began research into why she was accused and if this was even true. 
Anne Boleyn was born in Kent to one of the most powerful men in England, Sir Thomas Boleyn, and entered the Court of Queen Claude of France in 1515. At that time, it was well known that Anne's sister Mary was involved in an affair with King Henry VIII but that ended when Anne's quick wit, unusual beauty, and intelligence caught the attention of the King.  Anne was labeled a witch who seduced the King and was later executed on charges of adultery.

Anne Boleyn 

Like with the people of Salem, witchcraft was very real to them. Many of England's subjects believed witches enticed men into sexual immorality, gave birth to deformed children, enticed men into marriage, and could inflict men with impotence. Since Anne was accused of adultery, it is not a big leap to assume she was a witch. Anne also suffered from a miscarriage in 1536 and it was commonly said that the fetus was deformed, further providing support for Anne being involved in witchcraft. In many historical documents, King Henry VIII is also said to believe strongly in witchcraft, making it plausible that he may have actually believed Anne was a witch. The primary evidence for Anne being a witch was that she had six fingers on one hand, which in the 16th century was considered hard evidence of witchcraft. Several articles I consulted said contemporary historians don't believe Anne actually had six fingers but this was a rumor spread after her death to justify her beheading. 

Anne Boleyn's story is a saddening one in which accusations of witchcraft are used as a way to smear the reputation of a woman with power, especially since there is no way to definitively prove one is not a witch. I found an interesting article from the Guardian that describes how this "catch-22" is still played out today with allegations of witchcraft being directed at women with political power like Hillary Clinton. Julia Gillard, the first female prime minister of Australia, was frequently met by protesters confessing to "ditch the witch" throughout her entire term. Even today, women who show ambition are still seen as evil abominations that must be cast out and I'm glad the Harry Potter movies placed a subtle nod to that in the first film. 

Anne Boleyn's Execution


Further Resources:

This incredibly Interesting Guardian Article I referenced and would recommend reading: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/apr/07/cursed-from-circe-to-clinton-why-women-are-cast-as-witches 

TikTok Referenced: 
https://www.tiktok.com/@historywithhenrietta/photo/7344808282223037729?_d=secCgYIASAHKAESPgo8L3JKyXZhdVoaoZ%2BRN1x6UPNaJA2qwyiIYETg6btfhvJD8tJKpaIM2sV2qTEHD7M1SdF%2FLqce8uQeScDbGgA%3D&_r=1&checksum=06dfb54fdbeddefb6502d3f3e1604389505466791a1b52a8f2a05639bd948b88&enable_clips=1&preview_pb=0&sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAA_yr0_jO83HZJnj2jZe0z3JbifpkYE4SeA_mpbqmDDwV21BJaYtGIEu1kcOhPZ0Vk&share_app_id=1233&share_item_id=7344808282223037729&share_link_id=36F4787F-3012-4760-9DBB-35FA7D3A7BD6&sharer_language=en&social_share_type=14&source=h5_m&timestamp=1710714919&tt_from=sms&u_code=d4h5jj0e3ek303&ug_btm=b8727%2Cb2878&user_id=6656571813248024582&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=sms
















Comments

  1. williams.dan76March 27, 2024 at 11:55 AM

    Thanks, Emma, I really appreciate this blog post and the research you did. Anne Boleyn is truly a wonderful example of a woman accused of and executed for witchcraft for political reasons (as well as a prime example of Henry VIII's cruelty and power). After her miscarriage, suspicions about Anne Boleyn being a witch quickly spiraled, but the king--who indeed strongly believed in witchcraft--also wanted a male heir to the throne. He had already divorced and needed another way of moving on to his next wife. Accusing Anne Boleyn of being a witch for seducing him was convenient. No one could blame him for being bewitched. If it's ok, Ill pull up your blog in class.

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