Anne Boleyn has been arrested and faces execution. You will read real historical letters and documents, decide what they mean, and give your own verdict on what really happened.
History on Trial.
4Perspectives
8Real sources
~30Minutes
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Four perspectives. One truth. What really happened?
The Enquiry Room · Ages 11–16 · All sources are real historical documents (public domain)
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Message from your handler
What you will do in this case: Read real historical letters and documents from 1536. Decide what each one tells you. File the evidence. Then write your verdict on what really happened to Anne Boleyn. The character below is Eustace Chapuys, a real historical figure who will guide you through the case.
ChapuysYour handler
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How it works
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Step 1
Examine a real historical portrait. Click to make observations.
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Step 2
Read a real historical document. Tap phrases to explore what they mean.
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Step 3
File the evidence and give your verdict. Write your argument.
Do this for each key figure, then give your final verdict on what really happened.
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Choose a key figure to investigate
📂 My Evidence File
📂 My Evidence File
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Time for your verdict
You've examined the evidence. Look at what you filed below, then pull it all together and decide what really happened to Anne Boleyn.
📂 Your Evidence File
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Your verdicts so far
⚠️ You haven't investigated everyone yet. . Go back and investigate them first for a stronger case.
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Your overall verdict
Having examined all the evidence, what is your conclusion about what happened to Anne Boleyn?
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The charges were fabricatedCromwell engineered Anne's downfall for political reasons. The charges were invented or wildly exaggerated. Anne was effectively murdered by the state.
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Henry wanted rid of herHenry had fallen out of love with Anne and wanted Jane Seymour. He gave Cromwell permission, openly or quietly, to find a way to remove Anne, whatever it took.
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The evidence doesn't fully prove it either wayThe sources raise serious questions but fall short of proof. Anne may have been guilty of some charges, or the whole thing may have been a plot. We simply cannot know for certain.
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Anne may have been guilty of some chargesThe sources don't prove Anne's innocence. It's possible she was guilty of at least some of the charges, even if the trial was unfair.
✏️ Write your verdictUse the writing frame below to build your argument. Each section guides you through one part of a historical paragraph.
1. Your verdict
State your overall conclusion clearly. What do you think really happened to Anne Boleyn?
2. Your evidence
Choose one piece of evidence from your Evidence File. Quote the phrase or describe the source.
3. Your explanation
Explain what this evidence shows. Why does it back up your verdict?
4. A second piece of evidence (optional but makes a stronger argument)
Add a second piece of evidence and explain how it also supports your verdict.
📚 What do historians think?
Most historians today believe Anne Boleyn was almost certainly innocent of the charges of adultery. The leading theory is that Thomas Cromwell engineered her downfall because she had become a political obstacle. She clashed with him over foreign policy and how money from the monasteries should be spent. Henry VIII either knew and allowed it, or chose not to look too closely. Jane Seymour and the Seymour family benefited greatly from Anne's fall. Whether Jane herself knew the full extent of what was happening is debated by historians. But, importantly, we cannot be completely certain. Historians still argue about this. Compare this with your own verdict. How close did you get?
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Case closed!
Well done. You have done what historians do. You've examined real evidence, organised it, and made a reasoned argument. There is no single right answer. Only better and worse arguments.
