ll
The Constant Princess[]
Anne Stafford[]
Anne Stafford was the daughter of Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham and a lady-in-waiting to Catherine of Aragon. Anne is pretty and vivacious and soon attracts the attention of the young King Henry. They become lovers: a fact that is initially tolerated by Catherine. However when Henry confesses his adultery to Catherine he expresses his misgivings about her virginity. Catherine had intercourse with her first husband Arthur but had denied it to ensure her marriage to Henry. Anne was a virgin when she laid with Henry and when comparing the two experiences Henry is doubtful about Catherine's claim. Catherine retorts that Anne must not have been a virgin and Henry accepts it as fact. Anne is also the sister of Edward Stafford whom is executed in the opening pages of The Other Boleyn Girl.
The Other Boleyn Girl[]
Jane Seymour[]
Jane Seymour is an English courtier and lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine of Aragon and Queen Anne Boleyn. She is first briefly mentioned in The Constant Princess as being one of Catherine's ladies however her meek and timid personality made her less note worthy than other ladies-in-waiting.
During the events of the The Other Boleyn Girl Jane continues to loyally serve Catherine before she is appointed into Anne's growing household. Jane's presence is tolerated though Anne largely disapproves of her for being simpering, mousey and for being a Seymour.
As Anne's marriage to Henry starts to disintegrate under the pressure of providing a male heir and Anne's tempestuous nature, Henry starts to take notice of Jane. Mary Boleyn observes that Jane is leading Henry on by acting demure while encouraging his attentions much like Anne did. Rather than plain and simple it seems as though Jane conceals her motives and thoughts better than most. While Jane does everything in her power to encourage Henry, Anne tries desperately to hold his attention serving only to push him further towards Jane. Anne's desperation and miscarriages are the catalyst for Henry to look for a while to rid himself of Anne and marry Jane. Henry succeeds when he has Anne Boleyn executed for treason and adultery and marries Jane soon after. Jane cemented her position as Henry's most beloved wife by giving him his long awaited for son Edward VI however died of child bed fever days after the birth. When Henry dies in 1547 (During the events of The Taming of the Queen) He is buried besides Jane at Windsor Castle.
Elizabeth Blount[]
Elizabeth Blount, otherwise known as Bessie Blount, was Henry VIII's mistress and mother to his only acknowledged bastard Henry Fitzroy. Her influence and relationship with Henry is mused over by Mary Boleyn who finds herself in the position as the King's mistress and mother to his children. Bessie married and spent most of her time away from court after the birth of Henry Fitzroy.