Jane Boleyn and Wolf Hall
The TV adaption of Hilary Mantel’s “Wolf Hall” is to come to our screens in the UK in January on BBC2. In a recent interview for the Guardian, Jessica Raine, who plays Jane Boleyn Lady Rochford, had this to say about her character:
‘Jane Rochford is unhappily married to George Boleyn, Anne Boleyn’s brother – an arranged marriage. She has no children. In Hilary Mantel’s books, she is accused of being barren. It was brilliant going to the books – invaluable. Apparently, on their wedding night, George Boleyn looked at Jane’s breasts and said: “Oh, they are pathetic…”’
Of course, “Wolf Hall” is just a dramatic interpretation of the historical events and characters. However, on reading this, I am slightly worried on how Jane will be portrayed in “Wolf Hall”. Therefore, for the sake of historical accuracy, I feel obliged here to help clear a few myths…..
There is no evidence to suggest that Jane and George were unhappily married. For example, we don’t have evidence of violent behaviour directed towards Jane, or even from Jane towards George. Based on what we do know, it does seem that their marriage was no more turbulent than any of the other contemporary, aristocratic matches of their time. In reality, it was probably really boring!
To an extent, yes, it was an arranged marriage, but not in the sense that it was a forced marriage. It’s true that in the 16th century, marriage was not about love; it was mainly about important families uniting. Jane’s father, Henry Parker, believed that George Boleyn would be a very beneficial match for his daughter, especially with George’s father, Thomas having a very important role in Henry VIII’s court. At the very least though, the couple did have to like each other. There’s nothing to suggest that Jane and George were ever forced together. If anything, from what I have read in non-fiction, I do believe that they were genuinely in love – I have never read anything so far to suggest otherwise.
It is true that Jane and George never had children together. Jane’s role would have been to produce the Boleyn heir, so to be married to George for around eleven years and still not have at least one child would have been very odd by 16th century standards. Unfortunately, there are no records of miscarriages either. So, we can’t rule out the possibility that maybe Jane did suffer from fertility problems.
Of course, it is also equally possible that George may have had fertility problems. However, we can’t rule out the idea that George may have had children with another woman. George has been linked to being the father of another George Boleyn, who was the Dean of Lichfield in the reign of Elizabeth I. He also has been referred to as the great-grandfather of Elizabeth and Mary Boleyn of Clonony Castle, Ireland. So, even though it does seem that Jane and George in their marriage did not have children together, whether George did still have descendants is still an area of debate.
Even though she is a fantastic author, it must be stressed that Hilary Mantel’s “Wolf Hall” is an historical novel. It’s an interpretation of the historical events and is not non-fiction. It should not be consulted as an historical source.
Unfortunately, we don’t have a record of what happened on Jane and George’s Wedding night. However, we do know what happened on the Big Day – for a full account of the Wedding day, this is covered in Julia Fox’s “Jane Boleyn – The Infamous Lady Rochford”. As to what actually happened on the Wedding night, well, only Jane and George would have known that answer….
On the whole though, I am looking forward to watching the TV adaption of what is one of my favourite historical novels. However, I will just try to take it for what it is – a dramatic interpretation of the historical events.
Further reading and sources:
Article about the “Clonony Boleyn Girls” - http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/clonony-boleyns/
Article about George Boleyn, Dean of Lichfield - http://www.georgeboleyn.com/2014/03/10/george-boleyn-dean-lichfield/
“Jane Boleyn – The Infamous Lady Rochford” – Julia Fox, 2007.
“George Boleyn – Tudor Poet, Courtier and Diplomat” – Claire Ridgway and Clare Cherry, 2014.
And of course…..
“Wolf Hall” – Hilary Mantel, 2009.
Image - Jane Boleyn Lady Rochford, played by Jessica Raine.
