The Boleyns and Tudors - "done to death"?

In his review of the Channel 5 documentary “Henry and Anne: The Lovers Who Changed History”, Jake Wallis Simon of The Telegraph, said that “Could you think of a period of history, or a pair of historical figures, that have been more done to death? No, didn’t think so.” Yes, I do agree that the Boleyns and Tudors have been “done to death”, but I suspect that this may be partly due to the following reasons. Five hundred years later, people still believe that.....

- Anne Boleyn was an evil, wicked witch. Despite being Queen of England and being closely surveyed by ladies-in-waiting 24/7, she also managed to somehow find the time to secretly have affairs with hundreds of men, including her own brother..

- George Boleyn was a murderer, a rapist, a poisoner, a wife-beater and just a general, bad egg.

- Jane Boleyn was the treacherous, sister-in-law from hell. She was the sole reason why her own husband and sister-in-law went to the Tower because (obviously) she had more power in the land than King Henry VIII to make such a thing happen.

- Jane Boleyn had an affair with Thomas Cromwell. She even had his lovechild who (conveniently) was given away.

- Anne of Cleves was in fact passionately in love with Catherine Howard.

- Elizabeth I was really a man.

- Henry VIII had a little sister called Margaret who married the King of Portugal, bumped him off, then married Charles Brandon.

I think it’s fair to say that for as long as people truly believe these slight inaccuracies, the Tudors and Boleyns will be “done to death” for quite a while yet until the facts are put straight – and I am quite happy with that to be honest!

Image - Jane Boleyn played by Joanne King in "The Tudors"