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Mary Boleyn

Mary was born circa 1499, probably at Blickling Hall, the seat of the Boleyn family. She was daughter of courtier Thomas Boleyn, 1st Earl of Wiltshire, and his wife, Lady Elizabeth Howard. Mary was brought up by a French governess in Hever Castle, in Kent, with her siblings, George and Anne.


 In 1514, Mary was sent abroad when her father secured her a place as a maid-of-honour to the King's sister, Mary Tudor, who was going to Paris to marry King Louis XII of France. When Queen Mary left France after she was widowed, Mary stayed in the French court. During her time in France, Mary is supposed to have had several affairs, including with the King himself. Some historians believe that these claims are exaggerated.

 Mary returned to England in 1519, where she was appointed a maid-of-honour to Queen Catherine of Aragon. She was married to William Carey, an influential and rich courtier, on 4 February 1520. At some point, Mary became King Henry VIII's mistress. It is rumoured that one or both of Mary's children, Henry and Catherine, were fathered by the King.

 In 1528, William Carey died of the sweating sickness. Anne Boleyn arranged for Mary's son to be raised in a respectable Cistercian monastery and interceded to secure her sister an annual pension.

 In 1534, Mary secretly married William Stafford. He was a soldier, with little prospects and a small income; many believed the union was a love match. When Mary got pregnant, the marriage was discovered. Anne was furious and the Boleyn's disinherited Mary. The couple was banished from court. They had two children: Edward and Anne.

 Mary's financial circumstances were desperate and she begged for help. Anne relented and sent her a golden cup and some money, but refused to reinstate her position at court.

 Mary Boleyn died on 19 July 1543, of unknown causes.


Possible portrait of Mary Boleyn
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