Mary Boleyn caught the eye of VIII. Henry even before he met her sister, Anne, who became the most famous among the king’s six wives.

The rise of the Boleyn family was seen by the girls’ father, primarily in Mary and Anne. Although it was long believed that Mary would use a advantageous marriage to elevate the family’s position, in the end, it was the less attractive but extremely clever and determined Anne who succeeded. However, this move led to her downfall.

Rise through Marriage The wealth of the Boleyns – originally rumored to be Bullen, considered not elegant enough – began with a fortunate marriage. Originally from a Norfolk farming family, Mary and Anne’s great-grandfather married Anne, the heiress of Lord Hoo and Hastings, acquiring immense wealth. However, it was their son who, under the reign of III. Richard, became a knight and later a baron during the rule of VII. Henry. He married Margaret, the daughter of the Earl of Ormond, who brought 36 manors into the marriage. Their son, Thomas, is the father of Mary and Anne.

The exact year of the girls’ birth is uncertain, and there is disagreement on which one was older. Anna seems to have been born in 1507, while Mary a year later.

The likely reason for the confusion is that Mary married earlier, and at that time, it was not characteristic for the younger sister to marry first.

Mary became the lady-in-waiting to VIII. Henry’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon; this is when VIII. Henry noticed her, eventually becoming his mistress when she was only 14. Historians believe that this relationship existed when Mary married William Carey in 1520, a courtier to the king. As William was a second son without a noble title or estate, Henry gave the young couple a generous dowry. Mary’s first child, Catherine, was born in 1524, followed by a son named Henry two years later, who strikingly resembled the king.

VIII. Henry: “Never with the mother!”

Image: wikipedia

By this time, Mary had fallen out of favor with the king, and their relationship likely ended around 1525. By then, Henry was already courting Mary’s sister, Anne, and two years later, he was planning to somehow annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

According to contemporary accounts, in 1528, a rather scandalous and provocative accusation was made in Parliament, specifically charging VIII. Henry not only with Anne but also with her sister and even their mother, in an intimate relationship.

They recalled that the king was quite embarrassed, responding with, “Never with the mother!” It was known in diplomatic circles that VIII. Henry had relations with both Boleyn sisters; when he traveled to the French court in 1532, Mary met with I. Francis privately, who told her they knew their story.

Falling out of Favor and Exile Mary became a widow in 1528 – her husband succumbed to a mysterious sweating sickness – and the king immediately entrusted the upbringing of his two-year-old nephew, likely his son, to Anne. Contemporary letters indicate that both VIII. Henry and his wife, Anne, were worried that after her husband’s death, Mary might behave in a way that could embarrass the royal family. In November 1530, the king gave money to his queen to redeem one of Mary’s jewels, likely pawned during a gambling incident. Eventually, Mary did not dispel these concerns:

In 1534, she secretly married William Stafford in Calais, where she met him as part of VIII. Henry and Anne’s entourage. Stafford was far from a good match in terms of wealth and rank.

She prioritized her own happiness over the family’s interests, a significant mistake in the eyes of others, as the queen’s sister couldn’t marry a commoner. The original plan was probably to marry the young widow Mary to a noble who could further increase the family’s wealth and power, but she thwarted their calculations. Mary was practically banished from the court, losing her sister’s goodwill. Despite her pleas, she could not see her son. Many believe Anne did not want her sister to return to the court because, unlike Mary, she could bear a son for the king and feared for her position. For the next two years of her life – until Anne Boleyn’s execution – it is challenging to trace Mary’s life. It is clear that when both her sister and brother were condemned, Mary did not visit them in prison and did not even write them a letter. Perhaps, like her great-uncle, the Duke of Norfolk, she thought it best not to contact her condemned relatives.

Support for Her Children at Court Mary Boleyn lived in Essex until the end of her life. She witnessed her children receiving royal favor. Her daughter, Catherine, became the lady-in-waiting to VIII. Henry’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, and later married Sir Francis Knollys, who was popular at court and enjoyed the king’s support. One of her best friends, her cousin Anne’s daughter, was the future Elizabeth I. Historians note that while VIII. Henry desperately wanted a legitimate male heir, it was eventually Anne’s daughter – a Boleyn – who became a great ruler. Elizabeth was always very good to the Boleyn relatives, especially Mary’s children. Henry Carey, who was likely the king’s son, faithfully served Elizabeth, who was likely his half-sister.

Mary died on June 19, 1543. Although the last years of her life remain unclear, historians infer that she lived happily in her second marriage. She kept her distance from the Boleyns as much as possible.