Early Life Of George Boleyn George Boleyn was one of three children born to Thomas Boleyn and Elizabeth Howard. He was the middle child. His two sisters were Anne Boleyn and Mary Boleyn. George came from a well-to-do family. He was well educated. Spoke fluent French. And was talented in artistic pursuits, such as writing, music and poetry. Unlike his sisters Anne Boleyn and Mary Boleyn, George Boleyn didn't spend his youthful years overseas. George was most likely born in 1504. George Boleyn's rise to power Before George Boleyn's execution on the 17th of May 1536, he was a prominent member of Henry the VIII's Tudor court. He became very successful throughout his time at court. In 1525, George Boleyn became a member of the Privy Chamber. George Boleyn was then knighted in 1529. And was also given the title of Lord Rochford. Making him George Boleyn 2nd Viscount Rochford. At this point, when he was George Boleyn 2nd Viscount Rochford, he was at the height of his power. The following years until his death on the 17th of May 1536, saw George Boleyn Viscount Rochford receiving many gifts from Henry VIII. Lands and grants from the King.
The downfall of George Boleyn
The first evidence of trouble for the Boleyn's and George Boleyn himself is made apparent to us from the events of April 1536. George was expected to receive the Order of the Garter that month. However, he did not receive the Order of the Garter. On the 23rd of April 1536, George Boleyn did not receive the Order Of the Garter. The nomination went to one of the Boleyn's enemies, Sir Thomas Carew. Just over a week later, George Boleyn 2nd Viscount Rochford was arrested by the Kings men. Is it just a coincidence that George didn't receive the Order of the Garter a week before? Or, was his downfall in the works by that point? Probably the latter. It seems too much of a coincidence otherwise. The arrest and execution George Boleyn 2nd Viscount Rochford was arrested on the 2nd of May 1536. He was arrested at Whitehall. On 2 pm that day, he was taken to the Tower from Whitehall. His sister Anne Boleyn was also arrested on that day. He was arrested on grounds of having cardinal knowledge of his sister. Along with other high profile noblemen: Mark Smeaton, Henry Norris, Francis Weston and William Brereton. George was put on trail. Essentially it was a trial for show. The guilty result was a foregone conclusion. The trial of George Boleyn took place on the 15th of May 1536. It doesn't seem that George was put on a trial. If it was a real trail, it would have lasted days or weeks. Instead, the guilty version seems to have been read towards George before he even set foot in his trial. Whether or not Henry actually did believe that George was guilty, along with the other men and Anne, what is clear is that he wanted to be rid of them. And quickly. If we look at Catherine Howard's downfall and execution, in contrast, it took around two months for Henry to execute her. And she was guilty of being unfaithful to Henry. With the Boleyn case, things happened in a matter of days. There is no evidence of George's guilt. There is nothing to say that the allegations towards him were true. Not that it mattered. On the 17th of May 1536, George Boleyn alongside the five other men were taken to Tower Hill. There they were executed that morning.
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