The Parr Girl | Henry VIII

Chapter 20

Anne is looking out of her cell window, the window through which she saw the execution of her beloved brother and some birds passing by occasionally, today, is the day of her end.

The maids carefully dress her in a purple dress, placing her shoes on her, and adorning her with her most precious jewels.

While the maids do their work, Anne looks out the window asking herself a thousand questions, all of which fail to have an answer.

-How is my Elizabeth?

She asks the maids, one of the maids puts her shoes on so she can see her and talk to her.

-She is fine, Lady Margaret is taking care of her in the castle.

Anne is upset by the mention of Margaret around Elizabeth, but is reassured to know that her daughter still lives in the castle and is not outside as an illegitimate child.

Some royal knights open the door to her cell and enter.

-Is she ready?

The maids see them.

-Yes, she is ready.

One of them says, Anne gets up from her chair and the maids put a red coat on her, Royal knights and maids escort Anne to the public beach where her execution will take place.

Upon arriving at the square, she sees the number of people present, all there for one reason, to see the execution of their queen.

The executioner is already on the wooden stage in the square, she climbs onto the stage, the maids take off her red coat and her jewels and carefully place a white cap on her, She takes a step forward and looks at the audience present and speaks.

-Good Christian people, I am come hither to die, for according to the law, and by the law I am judged to die, and therefore I will speak nothing against it. I am come hither to accuse no man, nor to speak anything of that, whereof I am accused and condemned to die, but I pray God save the king and send him long to reign over you, for a gentler nor a more merciful prince was there never: and to me he was ever a good, a gentle and sovereign lord. And if any person will meddle of my cause, I require them to judge the best. And thus I take my leave of the world and of you all, and I heartily desire you all to pray for me. O Lord have mercy on me, to God I commend my soul.

After saying this she kneels and a servant carefully blindfolds her with a white blanket, she repeatedly repeats a phrase.

-To Jesus Christ I commend my soul; Lord Jesu receive my soul.

The executioner takes his sword firmly while looking at her neck and takes a step back to gain momentum to then give her a sword blow to her neck and finish her off.