Anne Boleyn & the break with Rome

Hever Castle has a distinct fairy-tale quality, with its double moat, crenellated towers and extensive, elegant gardens. During the 15^th and 16^th centuries, Hever was owned by the powerful and influential Boleyn family, and as such was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, that most intriguing of Tudor personalities. At the conclusion of Anne’s tragic story, ownership of Hever passed to Anne of Cleves, then a series of wealthy families including, more recently, the Astors. But it is the association with Anne that the castle wears with pride and, along with an exploration of its breath-taking rooms, portrait gallery and grounds, our visit will also include views of Anne’s bed chamber and two illuminated prayer books which bear her signature. In the afternoon, we continue to Leeds Castle, another postcard-perfect fortress, known as ‘the loveliest castle in the world’. There is 900 years of enthralling history to appreciate here, including its 16^th century transformation by Henry VIII for his first queen, Catherine of Aragon. The Maidens’ Tower was constructed for the queen’s maids of honour, including Anne Boleyn, and a jewelled casket belonging to Anne is one of myriad engaging artefacts on display.

A visit to Canterbury Cathedral not only invites appreciation of its extraordinary history as the site of Thomas Beckett’s infamous murder, its subsequent elevation to one of Europe’s foremost pilgrimage sites and Chaucerian literary associations, but also the chance to reflect on Henry VIII’s marriage to Anne Boleyn, the excommunication from Rome, the establishment of the Church of England and the dissolution of the monasteries, including the one that occupied this cathedral site.