Anne Boleyn (1502-1536)	Henry VIII (r. 1506-1547)

 
            King Henry VIII and his six wives, most notably, Anne, are well-known to students of
    Englishhistory.  Although originally married to Catherine of Aragon, his love has faded
    because of his obsession to produce a male heir.  This obsession will come to endanger
    the lives of everyone around Henry.  He no longer loves Catherine, and begins an
    historical pursuit of others so that he might produce a son.   As king, he can have any
    woman he wants, yet to him, the chase is the greater excitement than the conquest.

            Anne of a Thousand Days" is a simple tale of a king's desire toproduce a male heir
    that becomes complicated in the telling as the story unfolds.  The story recounts a
    traditional power struggle between a man and a woman, although this particular couple
    isanything but simple.  As the story unfolds, England will change, forever to be torn
    from the Church of Rome, which Henry so forcefully, at one time, defended.  One
    thousand days pass from the time the Henry begins to court Anne until her death by
    beheading.  Although the story is focused on the turbulent relationship of Anne Boleyn
    and King Henry, every character has his/her own story.  Amongthe most interesting are
    those of Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas Cromwell, Sir Thomas More, ElizabethBoleyn (the
    mother of Anne), and  Mark Smeaton..

    1)  If the story of Henry VIII's life was called Days of My Wives, how would it unfold
        as compared to a modern-day "soap opera"?  What would be the basic themes of the
        story (as gathered from the film)?

    2)  What role did Anne's parents (Elizabeth and Thomas Boleyn) play in her fate?  At
         what level did they show concern for their daughter -- Explain fully.

    3)  Henry VIII is awarded the title, "Defender of the Faith" by the pope (Leo X in 1521).
        What was his relationship with the Catholic Church as shown in the story,  Anne of
       a Thousand Days?

    4a)  Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas Cromwell, and Sir Thomas More are important officials
           during Henry's reign.  Create a chart showing their position on the efforts of Henry
           to gain a divorce from his wife (both Catherine and Anne).

      b)  How do they compare?

      c)  Does their position in Henry's realm have anything to do with their actions?  Do
           they follow their official position, or their consciences?  Explain thoroughly.

      d)  What is the fate of each of the three?

      5)  Henry was to have six wives during his reign.  Create a chart showing their life-
           spans, who they were (and their relationships), how long they were Henry's wife,
           any offspring, and their fate.

      6)  Anne was tried for treason against the crown.  Was she guilty of any crime or
           impropriety that would warrant the death penalty?  Explain thoroughly, using the
           film and personal research on Anne.

      7)  What is the irony to the whole story of Henry's efforts to produce a male heir?
           Explain thoroughly.

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