Synopsis
Anna Bolena, tragedy in two acts, takes place in Windsor Castle and the Tower of London, 1536.
Act I
Scene One: Night, Windsor Castle, Queen’s apartments
Members of the court express their fear that the Queen’s star may be setting, for the King’s heart may now burn with another love. Jane Seymour is summoned by the Queen, she is ill at ease, for it is she who has replaced Anne in Henry’s affections. Anne admits being troubled to Jane and notes that people seem sad. In order to enliven their spirits she requests her page Smeton to sing a song to cheer them. His song is meant as a compliment, for he secretly loves the Queen, he goes on to liken her to a maiden who is falling in love for the first time, and this reminds her of her love for Richard Percy. The Queen asks him to stop, and unheard by anyone else, she admits to herself that the ashes of her first love are anything but cold. Anne retires accompanied by the court while Jane remains deeply dismayed that she cannot undo the harm she has caused.
Henry VIII enters, Jane begs him to make this one the last of their clandestine meetings and twisting her meaning, he tells her that soon she will have no rival, that it is time that the world knew and recognised her as his beloved. She is shocked for her good name is of great concern to her, but Henry assures her that her reputation will remain untarnished and tells her that the altar has been prepared for her, that she will have husband, sceptre, and throne. When she asks how this may be, he remains cryptic and secretive.
Scene Two: Day, Around Windsor Castle
Lord Rochefort, Anne’s brother, is surprised to meet Lord Richard Percy. Percy tells his friend that he has just returned to England from exile summoned by the King. Percy asks if it is true that the Queen is unhappy and that the King has changed. When Rochefort confirms that Anne no longer enjoys the King’s love, Percy tells him of his own despair during his exile.
Huntsmen assemble for the royal hunt. Percy is agitated at the prospect of seeing Anne, who was his first love. Henry and Anne enter and express surprise at seeing Percy. Henry tells Percy that it was Anne who gave him assurances of Percy’s innocence, and credits her with his being recalled from exile. Percy falls at the Queen’s feet to kiss her hand and his excessive warmth embarrasses her and threatens to compromise her (exactly as the King intended). Henry asks Hervey, an officer of his court, to be the spy of every step and every word between Anne and Percy and be on the lookout for evidence that may incriminate Anne. As he departs for the hunt he orders Percy to remain in attendance at court.
Scene Three: Windsor Castle, close to the Queen’s apartments
Smeton takes a locket from his breast containing Anne’s portrait. Infatuated with her beauty and believing to be deeply in love with her, he has stolen it and has come to return it before its absence is discovered. He hears a sound and hides behind a screen. Anne and Rochefort enter, the latter persuading his sister, much against her will, to grant Percy an interview. Smeton peeps out from behind the screen, but cannot escape. Anne confides in Percy that the King no longer loves her and Percy in response vows her that he loves her as much as ever. Anne reminds him that she is married to the King and urges him to leave England immediately. Before leaving, Percy asks whether he can see Anne again and when she says no, he draws his sword to stab himself. In the mistaken belief that Percy is attacking Anne, Smeton rushes out from behind the screen. As Smeton and Percy are about to fight, Anne faints. Rochefort rushes in to warn them that the King is approaching. As Henry arrives, he sees the unsheathed swords. Summoning attendants, he says that these persons have betrayed their King. Smeton says that it is not true, and tears open his tunic to offer his chest to the King for slaying if he is lying. The locket with Anne’s portrait falls at the King’s feet and he seizes it, interpreting it as a favour to the page from his royal mistress. Anne recovers and pleads her innocence, but Henry orders her arrested, along with Smeton, Percy, and Rochefort, and bids her to save her defence for her judges. Anne realises that her fate is sealed as they are led away under guard.
Act II
Scene One: London, Antechamber of the Queen’s apartments
Anne’s ladies comment how the courtiers, including Jane Seymour, have stayed away from her. As Anne joins them, Hervey enters to tell them that the Council of Peers has summoned the ladies into its presence. The ladies leave with Hervey. Jane appears and tries to persuade Anne to avoid being put to death by admitting guilt. Anne says that she will not buy her life with infamy. She expresses the hope that her successor will wear a crown of thorns. Jane grows increasingly distraught as she hears herself cursed and admits that she is to be the successor. Anne’s first reaction is to try to drive her from her presence, but when she sees the sincerity of Jane’s distress and self-recrimination she raises her from her knees and declares that it is Henry alone who is at fault. Jane finds herself more affected by Anne’s forgiveness than by her curse, and departs in a state of great distress.
Scene Two: Antechamber leading into the hall where the Council of Peers is meeting
Hervey tells courtiers that Anne’s hopes for acquittal are lost because Smeton has talked and has revealed a crime. Henry VIII enters and Hervey tells him that Smeton has fallen into the trap. Henry VIII tells Hervey to continue to let Smeton believe that he has saved Anne’s life. Anne and Percy are brought in. Henry accuses Anne of having made love to the page Smeton, tells her there are witnesses, and declares that both Anne and Percy will die. Percy makes a desperate effort to save Anne by claiming she was legally married to him before she married the King. Anne and Percy are led away leaving Henry wondering if this is true.
Jane enters to tell the King that she does not want to be the cause of Anne’s death, and he responds that she cannot save Anne by leaving. Hervey enters to announce that the Council has condemned Anne and her accomplices to death. Courtiers and Jane ask the King to be merciful, and he asks them to leave.
Scene Three: Tower of London
Percy and Rochefort are together in their cell. Hervey enters to advise them that the King has pardoned them, but when they learn that Anne is to be executed, they reject the King’s pardon choosing to die with her. They leave surrounded by guards.
In Anne’s cell, a group of her ladies comment on her madness and grief. Anne enters, she imagines that it is her wedding day to the King. Then she imagines that she sees Percy, and she asks him to take her back to her childhood home. Percy, Rochefort and Smeton are brought in. Smeton throws himself at Anne’s feet and says that he accused her in the belief that he was saving her life. In delirium, Anne asks him why he is not playing his lute. The sound of the festivities preparing Henry’s marriage to Jane brings Anne back to her senses. Her first impulse is to curse the guilty couple, but she stops herself insisting she must die with pardon on her lips. Increasingly distraught she collapses at the moment the guards appear to conduct her and her companions to execution.
