21. Anne Boleyn won a crown and promoted the English Reformation before losing her head.
None of Henry VIII’s early love interests thought of being anything other than the King’s mistress. But Anne Boleyn played a different game — one she eventually lost. Henry was charmed by Anne’s wit, sophistication and intelligence as much as her appearance. She used all to great effect, refusing to sleep with the King until he agreed to marry her. To acquire his divorce from his Queen, Katherine of Aragon, Henry had to split with Rome. This and Anne’s support for the reforming protestant religion helped usher in the English Reformation. However, once married, Henry grew tired of Anne’s spirited opinions. When she failed several times to give him a legitimate male heir, Henry got rid of her. Henry tried Anne for treason, divorced her and then, for good measure, had her beheaded.
