01 September 2016
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Coat of Arms of Anne Boleyn
Lady Anne Boleyn was gifted the title of the Marquess of Pembroke by King Henry VIII on 1 September 1532
On this day in history, 1532: Lady Anne Boleyn is gifted the title of the Marquess of Pembroke by her fiancé, King Henry VIII of England.
The King’s father, Henry VII, was born to Margaret Beaufort at Pembroke Castle. Since before his birth it is believed that his family were immediately planning his ascent to the throne. His uncle Jasper Tudor was the last known Earl of Pembroke, dedicating his life to ensure that his nephew was victorious in obtaining the English throne.
For Anne Boleyn this must have been a high honour, she was the first woman to be granted a hereditary peerage title. The absence of anyone with this hereditary title since Jasper Tudor’s death shows the seriousness of Henry VIII’s affection for his future spouse, Lady Anne Boleyn, during their engagement.
Alongside the title, she was awarded land in Wales worth over £1,000 (a fortune in those days) and an elaborate ceremony took place to celebrate, with only the highest ranking peers and clergymen witnessing the event. By granting his future spouse a title, Henry VIII intended to give her a status befitting her forthcoming role as Queen Anne Boleyn. The title became extinct after Anne Boleyn’s beheading in 1536, although it is unclear why.
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Pictured: Coat of Arms of Queen Anne Boleyn.
