ry manner with Henry's disappointment in not
obtaining by her a male heir, while the king's despotic power and the
universal unpopularity of Anne both tended to hinder the administration
of pure justice. Nevertheless, though unproved, Anne's guilt is more
than probable. It is almost incredible that two grand juries, a petty
jury, and a tribunal consisting of nearly all the lay peers of England,
with the evidence before them which we do not now possess, should have
all unanimously passed a sentence of guilt contrary to the facts and
their convictions, and that such a sentence should have been supported
by Anne's own father and uncle. Every year since her marriage Anne had
given birth to a child, and Henry had no reason to despair of more;
while, if Henry's state of health was such as was reported, the desire
for children, which Anne shared with him, may be urged as an argument
for her guilt. Sir Francis Weston in a letter to his family almost
acknowledges his guilt in praying for pardon, especially for offences
against his wife;[10] Anne's own conduct and character almost prepare us
for some catastrophe. Whether innocent or guilty, however, her fate
caused no regrets and her misfortunes did not raise a single champion or
defender. The sordid incidents of her rise, and the insolence with which
she used her triumph, had alienated all hearts from the unhappy woman.
Among the people she had always been intensely disliked; the love of
justice, and the fear of trade losses imminent upon a breach with
Charles V., combined to render her unpopular. She appealed to the king's
less refined instincts, and Henry's deterioration of character may be
dated from his connexion with her. She is described as "not one of the
handsomest women in the world; she is of a middling stature, swarthy
complexion, long neck, wide mouth, bosom not much raised, and in fact
has nothing but the English king's great appetite, and her eyes which
are black and beautiful, and take great effect."[11] Cranmer admired
her--"sitting in her hair" (i.e. with her hair falling over her
shoulders, which seems to have been her custom on great occasions),
"upon a horse litter, richly apparelled," at her coronation.[12]

BIBLIOGRAPHY.--Art. in the _Dict. of Nat. Biography_ and authorities
cited; _Henry VIII._ by A.F. Pollard (1905); _Anne Boleyn_, by P.
Friedman (1884); _The Early Life of Anne Boleyn_, by J.H. Round
(1886); _The Divorce of Catherine of Aragon_, by