Online history course

The Life of Anne Boleyn : MC06

With historian Claire Ridgway

15-lesson course 5 hours 54 minutes Audio / Video / Text

About this course

Discover the real Anne Boleyn: her remarkable rise, dramatic fall, and the woman behind the Tudor myths.

Anne Boleyn is one of the most fascinating and controversial women in English history. Her extraordinary rise from courtier to queen helped change the course of England's history, yet her dramatic downfall and execution in 1536 continue to raise questions nearly five centuries later.

Join Tudor historian Claire Ridgway as she explores Anne Boleyn's life, from her early years and education at the European courts to her relationship with Henry VIII, her time as Queen of England and the events that led to her arrest and execution.

Go beyond the myths and sensational stories to examine the historical evidence, discover the woman behind the legend and gain a deeper understanding of Anne Boleyn's personality, beliefs, relationships and lasting legacy.

15 focused lessons

Course content

  1. 01

    Introduction

    An introduction to Anne Boleyn, the historical evidence surrounding her life, and the questions and controversies explored throughout the course.

  2. 02

    Lesson 1 – Anne Boleyn's Background and Roots

    Explore Anne's family origins and the Boleyn family's rise in Tudor society.

  3. 03

    Lesson 2 – Birth and Early Life

    Investigate Anne's birth, childhood and the historical evidence about her early years.

  4. 04

    Lesson 3 – Anne Boleyn's Family

    Meet the Boleyn family and examine the relationships that shaped Anne's life.

  5. 05

    Lesson 4 – Early Education

    Discover Anne's education and the experiences that prepared her for court life.

  6. 06

    Lesson 5 – Anne in France

    Explore Anne's years at the French court and their influence on her development.

  7. 07

    Lesson 6 – Return to England

    Follow Anne's return to England and her emergence at the Tudor court.

  8. 08

    Lesson 7 – Anne Boleyn's Suitors

    Examine Anne's relationships with Henry Percy, Thomas Wyatt and Henry VIII.

  9. 09

    Lesson 9 – The Events of 1533

    Discover Anne's marriage, coronation and the birth and christening of Elizabeth.

  10. 10

    Lesson 10 – Anne Boleyn as Queen

    Examine Anne's queenship, her influence and the challenges she faced.

  11. 11

    Lesson 11 – The Fall of Anne Boleyn

    Investigate the events and accusations that led to Anne's arrest in May 1536.

  12. 12

    Lesson 12 – Trial, Execution and Reaction

    Examine Anne's trial, execution and the responses to her downfall.

  13. 13

    Lesson 13 – Anne Boleyn's Legacy

    Explore Anne's lasting legacy, particularly through her daughter, Elizabeth I.

  14. 14

    Lesson 14 – Anne Boleyn Myths

    Investigate popular myths and misconceptions about Anne Boleyn.

  15. 15

    Lesson 15 – Researching Anne Boleyn

    Learn how to investigate Anne's life using primary and secondary historical sources.

Everything you need

What is included

  • 354minutes of course material (5 hours 54 minutes)
  • 15lessons
  • Streaming audio
  • Downloadable audio
  • Downloadable transcripts
  • Optional quizzes
  • Further reading
  • End-of-course certificate
  • Free audiobook – The Fall of Anne Boleyn

    Receive a complimentary download of Claire Ridgway's bestselling audiobook The Fall of Anne Boleyn, featuring the complete, unabridged book narrated by Claire in 75 parts.

Start learning

Enrol in this course

Course price$75 USD

Approximately £56.20 GBP / €67.10 EUR / A$106.90 AUD. Converted prices are estimates; payment is charged in USD.

  • Lifetime course access
  • Study at your own pace
  • Start whenever you are ready
  • Available internationally

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Claire Ridgway

Meet your historian

Claire Ridgway

Claire Ridgway is a Tudor historian, bestselling author, historical consultant and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. She specialises in the Tudor period, particularly the life and reign of Anne Boleyn, the Boleyn family and the court of Henry VIII.

Claire is the author of 15 history books, including The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown, The Anne Boleyn Collection trilogy, On This Day in Tudor History, George Boleyn: Tudor Poet, Courtier and Diplomat (co-written with Clare Cherry), and The Boleyns of Hever Castle (co-written with Dr Owen Emmerson).

In 2009, Claire founded The Anne Boleyn Files, a website dedicated to exploring Tudor history through historical evidence and challenging popular myths. She subsequently established The Tudor Society, an online history membership community, and runs the popular Anne Boleyn Files and Tudor Society YouTube channel, sharing historical research, investigations and educational videos with audiences around the world.

Claire contributed to the BBC docudrama The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family and has written for publications including BBC History Extra and All About History. She has also appeared on numerous history podcasts.

A former teacher, Claire is passionate about making historical research accessible and helping people distinguish historical fact from fiction. Through her books, courses, videos and online events, she encourages history enthusiasts to question familiar narratives, examine the surviving evidence and discover the fascinating real stories of the Tudor period.

View historian profile

Learner perspectives

Course reviews

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Debbie

I am so enjoying the course - more than I expected - I have read all of Claire's books so knew her research was extensive - this surpasses those expectations.

Debbie January 31, 2017

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Deborah

I truly enjoyed each and every unit of the Anne Boleyn course! I do hope Claire can be convinced to put together another course in the future!

Deborah February 13, 2017

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Julie

I love everything about these courses! I love how they are taught and proceed! Thanks so much!!

Julie March 6, 2017

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Libby

A wonderful course full of fascinating detail. This course has brought Anne Boleyn to life for me and it has inspired me to learn more. The modules have been so enjoyable, filled with interesting facts and quotes, that I shall listen to them again and again. Thank you for a fantastic course.

Libby May 3, 2017

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Sandra

I was absolutely mesmerized by the lesson on Anne Boleyn's coronation. It was well past time to shut the computer off but I read a paragraph and the "story" of her coronation was so real, colorful and exciting that I couldn't stop reading. Thank you so much for such professional work that allows me to

Sandra June 19, 2017

Before you begin

Frequently asked questions

Is there a guarantee?

Yes. Please see our Guarantees page for full details.

Do I need to complete the quizzes?

No. The quizzes are optional, but they're a useful and enjoyable way to test your knowledge and reinforce what you've learned.

How long does the course take?

The course contains 5 hours and 54 minutes of video and audio lectures. You can work through the lessons at your own pace, and you'll have lifetime access to the course.

Do I need to buy any books or extra materials?

No. All the lectures and downloadable transcripts are included. There's also a bibliography and further reading list if you'd like to explore the subject in greater depth.

When does the course start?

You can start at any time after enrolling. The course is entirely online, with no fixed start date or deadlines.