Anne Boleyn was a remarkable figure for her time. As the second wife of Henry VIII, she refused to become his mistress and held out for seven years before they married in 1533. Her time as queen was brief, and ultimately, tragic.

During their marriage, Henry suffered a severe jousting accident—an event now believed to have caused brain damage and a dramatic shift in his personality. Modern interpretations suggest that, prior to the accident, he was seen as charismatic and generous, admired by his people. Afterwards, he became increasingly cruel, paranoid, and ruthless, executing close friends, enemies, and several of his wives.

Anne became one of his victims. Henry came to believe—or allowed himself to be persuaded—that she was unwilling to give him a male heir and had used witchcraft to manipulate him into divorcing Katherine of Aragon. She was arrested in May 1536 on charges of high treason, including adultery, incest with her brother George, and plotting the King’s death. The charges were widely considered unfounded, but she was convicted and executed within weeks. Her former betrothed, Henry Percy, and her uncle, Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, were among those who sat in judgement.
Anne left behind her daughter, Elizabeth, who became one of the world's most celebrated leaders as Elizabeth I.

In this painting, Anne is represented by a white falcon, drawn from her family crest. The bird is perched on the shoulder of her husband—and murderer—inspired by a portrait of Henry VIII by Hans Holbein the Younger.