// Sorry for the delay with replies, but I am very sick. I'll try my best to get to them tonight.

There is a sudden influx of historical records, primary sources, and legitimately-backed opinions in the George Boleyn tag and it makes me want to cry for joy. Thank you. At long last.

Excuse me while I freak out all over the place.

--

On another note, I apologize to everyone for my absence.

I feel as though maybe it was trying to pull a prank on me.

Nephew, I hope you are well.

My dear uncle, it is pleasing to hear from you. I am well, as I hope you are. Have you reached out to me for a specific matter?

George Boleyn Primary Sources

When I first started to seriously study the Boleyn family about three years ago I was surprised by the plethora of information I found regarding a man who, sadly, is only remembered in history as the man that got killed because he was accused of sleeping with his sister. In every book I read, whether it is on Anne Boleyn or the six wives, George plays a minor, background role, only mentioned here and there when it’s note worthy, and his influence at court, with the king, and even with his sister to whom he was very devoted, gets downplayed alot. And sadly, as of yet, there is only one 17th century biography that focus’ solely on George. 

So if you want to get to know George Boleyn, who he was as a person and not just his role in his sister’s life and her downfall, then you are simply going to have to go straight to the primary sources (I can hear my fellow  Medieval Humanities class groaning now, because those lazy fuckers hated going to primary sources) 

Luckily for us, in his day, George was quite the popular fellow, and there are plenty of sources for us to shift through. 

the following list was complied by The Anne Boleyn Files, and it has helped me tremendously in my studies on this fascinating man and his elusive wife. 

1.Letters and Papers of Henry VIII- It is in twenty-one volumes and contains original letters and documents created during Henry’s reign. George features in LP regularly. His court career and diplomatic career can be charted from this amazing research material which is available online. His downfall and his distress for the people he owed money to and who owed him money and would have to pay it back to the King is also covered in detail through the letters of William Kingston. LP also details George’s interest in the League of Schmalkalden and includes letters written by him to Henry and the Duke of Norfolk. Metrical Visions – These were written by George Cavendish, Wolsey’s gentleman usher, and a whole set of verses are dedicated to George and his downfall. Again, it is available online. It is from this source that George’s reputation as a womaniser stems from, but it is also from this source that we understand how attractive and talented he was. Calendar of State Papers (Spanish) – Available online. George is regularly referred to by Chapuys in his dispatches. Again it helps chart George’s career, both in court and as a foreign diplomat. It also confirms that George was one of the most powerful and influential men in Henry’s court at the time of his downfall.  

The Privy Purse Expenses of Henry VIII – Available online. These detail money paid out of the Privy Purse by Henry to his favourites. George features heavily, regularly receiving large sums for the hunt, winning at tennis etc. He was clearly very much the sportsman and loved hunting, particularly with hawks, the acquisition of which he actively perused with great vigour.

Court Chroniclers, Raphael Holinshed, Edward Hall and my favourite, Charles Wriothesley – George does not feature heavily save for his fall, but they still form part of an important picture of his life and death. Wriothesley gives a version of George’s scaffold speech, although there are other primary sources which provide more detailed versions. The Lisle Letters – These are my personal favourite extant records. They contain a number of George’s letters. They provide details of his foreign diplomatic career and six missions to France, but also his position as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and Governor of Dover Castle.

George Boleyn was one the most powerful men at court, he was more than a pretty wallflower that Henry and Cromwell picked at random to share in Anne’s downfall. The man held several important titles and positions, he was a favorite of the King’s even before Anne Boleyn stepped onto the scene, he was a reformist, a poet, a patron of reform and the arts, and (my favorite) he was a loving, affectionate little brother to Anne. I think it’s time he starts getting his proper dues in history books. 

If there can be a biography on Mary Boleyn, who barely appeared in records, then George can get a biography or two of his own right? 

He remained in his bow, his eyes tracing her actions as he watched the young woman open her locket. Even as he looked at her, he could barely believe that this was the same little girl he had once played with and spoiled as far as her mother would allow. Yet she looked undeniably like her father, with traces of her Boleyn appearance laced throughout her features. It made him proud to see her so powerful and well. Rising when she commanded, he kept silent as she pieced together his identity. Once her ladies had been dismissed, George felt himself relax slightly, amazed by how quickly this woman had identified him. Then again  he was not surprised in the least, for even as a young child, she was remarked upon for her wit and intelligence. "Your mother deserved nothing but love," he said softly, not approaching her, and making sure not to speak his words too loudly. "Just as you do. Elizabeth," a smile graced his lips at the sound of her name. It had been so long.

Two have visited you

Matters had been slow for George as of late. He knew his return to court was rather unexpected, and that he had departed this world in poor standing, as a result of accusations for crimes he did not commit. But now he was returned to his family. To some extent, at least. He saw his wife, his father, his king. But he had yet to see either of his sisters, and it displeased him greatly. Just as he was hoping to find a member of the king's counsel, he entered a room, only to spot a regally dressed woman before him. Her stature was unfamiliar, but her flaming red hair was unmistakable, and when she turned around, he could see the same young face of his niece, which had growing into a much more stoic one. "Your Majesty," he bowed, curious as to whether she would remember her uncle and see the resemblance between him and her mother.

Two have visited you

francis-i

george-boleyn

She couldn’t do it, she was practically being forced to kill Mary of Scots. She couldn’t bring herself to sign the death warrant, Mary was a Queen, as was her mother. No Queen should death a bloody death. She sat down the parchment went she heard someone enter her chambers and she lifted her head up a little “I did not know that i had visitors this day.” she said honestly “Who are you and what are you in need of?”

The pleasure is mine, Lady Gordon. She is well, thank you. And yourself?

George and Kate

" George Boleyn … what a pleasure to see you. How is the lady Rochford?  "

#OTP: fuck you Philippa Gregory!!

I’m your brother, aren’t I?

@yorkishprincess said:I miss you hon!

I miss you, too! I hope we can get back to our things and maybe have some new ones soon. I will message you either this evening or tomorrow.

// I wanted to apologize for my huge absence. Life has truly never been busier for me, but as of tomorrow evening, once I catch up on some sleep, I will be able to be around much more.

If you have any desire to do something with George or Francis, please just send either one a message. Thank you.

His gaze flickered over her as she let her hair loose, though he did not concentrate on her as much as he might another woman. While his first marriage had not been one of great love and passion, either, there had been little animosity going into the union, and so while there were certain necessary tasks, they had not seemed quite so taxing.

Opening his jacket and taking it off, he followed the garment with his chemise and finally his bottoms. It took George only a step or two to get into the bed they were to share tonight, yet as much as he did not want to draw this out, he could not bring himself to rush into it, either.

Wedding the Enemy

She allowed him to loosen her gown, the simple nightdress not requiring much in the ways of ties. Biting on her lower lip, she disrobed and pulled her hair free from its pins. Her blonde hair running down the length of her back, shining like bright spun gold.

Slowly, she slipped into bed. It was difficult to look at him in her shame and anxiety, but she somehow managed to keep her eyes on him.

He sighed in return, albeit inwardly. She was right and as neither of them had any desire to prolong this, the idea was not a bad one, but that did not mean he looked forward to this occurring to any degree.

"Of course." His new wife - what a foreign way to think of her - was still quite dressed, and so he shifted in place enough to begin to undo her gown, something he never would have imagined happening.

Wedding the Enemy

She sighed, looking back over at him. “Perhaps we could move past the love play and simply do what we both know we must.” Lizzie said, unable to look into his eyes. “Neither of us desire to extend this as we are. Why not simply move forward?” She asked.

Elizabeth pulled away from him and he let his hand relax from its uneasy positioning at her side, though his other set of digits remained on her cheek, albeit lightly. He had no desire to be with her in such a way, but he knew this moment was not going to mark the end of the night. It might have been easier for him to accept this if he envisioned her to be nearly anyone else, but George strangely wished to refrain from disrespecting her so. Instead he just allowed her a pause, no more enthusiastic about this than she was.

Wedding the Enemy

She flinched as his hand moved to her side. Lizzie pulled back, looking away as she tried to regain her composure and breath. It was difficult to allow herself to simply move through the actions without feeling disgust. She was not practiced in hiding herself in the most intimate and vulnerable circumstances.