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Mary Boleyn

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Mistress

The Resume

    (1499-July 19, 1543)
    Born in Blickling Hall, Norfolk, England
    Known as Lady Mary
    Sister of Anne Boleyn
    Mistress of Henry VIII
    Subject of the book and movie 'The Other Boleyn Girl'

Why she might be annoying:

    Her actual age relative to Anne is disputed.
    At least one of her sons' paternity is disputed (rumored to be Henry VIII but unlikely).
    She is usually depicted as being more virtuous than her sister despite having been romantically linked to another monarch (King Francis I), unlike Anne.
    She was largely ignored by history until Philippa Gregory's 'Other Boleyn Girl' (riddled with historical inaccuracies) became a bestseller.
    She secretly married and was only found out after getting pregnant.
    She was disowned by her family and banished from the court by her sister (by this time Queen Anne).
    She never saw or went to visit her sister and brother while they were held in the Tower of London (although she likely wasn't permitted).

Why she might not be annoying:

    Scarlett Johansson portrayed her in the 2008 film version of 'The Other Boleyn Girl.'
    Philippa Gregory called her a 'personal heroine.'
    Her first husband died of sweating sickness, leaving her a widowed mother.
    She was said to have been the prettier of the two Boleyn sisters.
    She married William Stafford despite his having no title and not coming from great wealth.
    She reconciled indirectly with Anne after her and William's financial hardships reduced her to begging for money (the Queen sent her a golden grail and some money but wouldn't reinstate her to the Royal court).
    Her sister and brother both died gruesome and horrific deaths.

Credit: BoyWiththeGreenHair


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 8 Votes: 87.50% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 39 Votes: 35.90% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 89 Votes: 42.70% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 152 Votes: 51.97% Annoying