Discussion: We really can't give Henry a break because...

"As far as Henry goes it is true and that is the way it was in the day, but just like today some horrid people are in power. And there wasn't a fairy tale time...even though we were all told it was it wasn't it was real life and Anne was no angel I'm sure of it. It is hard for me to feel for her...she was a golddigger and she made no bones about it...Katherine didn't have a chance. I think that had a lot to do with why he had her beheaded. He woke up and realized what kind of woman she really was...don't forget all these people were all out for power. I think Anne got her attitude from her power hungry family...but, I don't doubt she was as innosent as alot has tried to portray"

"I actually think Anne Boleyn was trying to be smarter than her sister, in not giving in to Henry to become his mistress but instead to press for a marriage. Being a mistress was a grand and great deal as long as you were in favor, but after that you could only live in disgrace and as an outcast or go to a nunnery. Her sister was called 'the great prostitute'. It's kind of understandable that she didn't want the same to happen to herself.

And I don't think anyone expected it to end the way it did with her. Being divorced, even sent into exile or being imprisoned probably were the worst case scenarios anyone (including herself) would have imagined for her after her marriage to Henry. The whole of Europe was shocked that Henry had her beheaded and they did not have sympathy for her at all before that. I do however think she might have really loved Henry. I can't imagine pretending to love someone for 7 years.

So she gambled to have all and in the end lost everything - even her life. Her sister had a much better deal later in life. She married for love, had children and Henry even gave her money long after Anne's death."

"Anne should have never enter into a relationship with Henry VIII, because even if she wasn't having sex with him, people still thought of her as his mistress. Especially when people came to know that her past suiters was Thomas Wyatt , who was also a married man. Plus Henry VIII was a lusty king, who had a few known affair under his belt. Anne should have struck a better deal with Henry VIII, she should have agree to be his mistress only if she got to keep her titles, a home, and he must find a suitable husband for her equal to her rank or higher. Anne should have showed some compassion , or empathy towards her enemies."