Henry VIII’s “Stolen Mistress” Scandal: Adultery, Gossip… or Something Darker?

Henry VIII’s “Stolen Mistress” Scandal: Adultery, Gossip… or Something Darker?

In 1537, Cromwell had to investigate a sordid rumour about William Webbe's "pretty wench" and Henry VIII. It claimed the king had not only been unfaithful to his new queen, Jane Seymour, but had stolen another man’s mistress and kept her for himself. The story spread so widely it ended up in Alison Weir’s modern-day "Henry VIII: King and Court" and even inspired a scene in Showtime's "The Tudors" series. But what really happened? In this podcast, I investigate the 16th century sources to find out what really went on. Was this tale evidence of adultery, malicious gossip, or something darker? And what does it reveal about Henry VIII’s reputation in the shadow of Anne Boleyn’s downfall and his hasty marriage to Jane Seymour? Listen to discover: - The original 1537 letter that spread the rumour. - How Cromwell’s investigation handled it and his conclusion. - Why The Tudors dramatised the story and changed the timeline. - Whether Henry’s reputation was already beginning to unravel. Thanks for listening! If you enjoy deep dives into Tudor scandal, rumour, and history, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and consider joining my channel membership for exclusive talks, resources, and my monthly magazine The Privy Chronicle. #HenryVIII #TudorHistory #AnneBoleyn #JaneSeymour #TheTudors #History

Episoder(999)

The Myth of the Seductress and the Witch: Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth Woodville

The Myth of the Seductress and the Witch: Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth Woodville

For centuries, two queens have carried damaging reputations. Anne Boleyn has often been portrayed as the ambitious seductress who trapped King Henry VIII, while Elizabeth Woodville has been accused o...

17 Mar 11min

Did Anne Boleyn Seduce Henry VIII? The Truth About His Obsession

Did Anne Boleyn Seduce Henry VIII? The Truth About His Obsession

For centuries, Anne Boleyn has been portrayed as the great seductress of Tudor history, the ambitious woman who bewitched Henry VIII and destroyed his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. But when we exa...

11 Mar 20min

The Scandal That Nearly Destroyed Young Elizabeth I

The Scandal That Nearly Destroyed Young Elizabeth I

Before Elizabeth I became one of England’s greatest monarchs, she faced a scandal that could have destroyed her reputation , and possibly her future. In 1547, after the death of Henry VIII, the young...

6 Mar 10min

Elizabeth I Before the Crown: From Princess to Prisoner

Elizabeth I Before the Crown: From Princess to Prisoner

Queen Elizabeth I is remembered as Gloriana, England’s Virgin Queen and ruler of a golden age. But before the crown came danger. Born the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth went from ...

2 Mar 27min

History Got This Wrong: Anne Boleyn Was Never “Too Low” for Henry Percy

History Got This Wrong: Anne Boleyn Was Never “Too Low” for Henry Percy

Was Anne Boleyn really too socially inferior to marry Henry Percy, heir to the powerful Earldom of Northumberland? For centuries, Anne Boleyn has been portrayed as an ambitious social climber, a woma...

23 Feb 7min

Anne Boleyn’s Last 18 Days: The Fall That Shocked Tudor England

Anne Boleyn’s Last 18 Days: The Fall That Shocked Tudor England

In May 1536, Anne Boleyn went from Queen of England to execution in just eighteen days. It remains one of the most shocking political collapses in English history - a moment that destroyed families, ...

19 Feb 5min

The Secret Promise, The Poet, and the Myths: Anne Boleyn Before Henry VIII

The Secret Promise, The Poet, and the Myths: Anne Boleyn Before Henry VIII

In 1522, Anne Boleyn returned to the English court, and within a few years, she was already at the centre of political tension, whispered promises, and poetic legend. Long before Henry VIII began his...

17 Feb 25min

Mary I’s Pregnancies Explained: London Celebrated a Prince… But There Was No Baby

Mary I’s Pregnancies Explained: London Celebrated a Prince… But There Was No Baby

In 1555, London celebrated the birth of a prince. Church bells rang. Te Deums were sung. Birth announcements were prepared. Only… there was no baby. Mary I didn’t just believe she was pregnant, she...

13 Feb 9min

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