On this day in 1522, Anne Boleyn made her debut at the English court in a grand spectacle of pageantry and performance.
She took part in The Château Vert, a lavish Shrovetide pageant held at York Place, the London residence of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey – later transformed into Whitehall Palace. This was Anne’s first recorded public appearance since returning from the French court, marking her entrance into the dazzling world of Henry VIII’s court.
The Château Vert Pageant
The Shrovetide celebrations began on the 1st of March, followed by the annual joust on the 2nd of March. The Château Vert was one of the court’s most elaborate entertainments, and chronicler Edward Hall provides us with a vivid description of the event.
The spectacle featured an illuminated castle representing The Château Vert (“The Green Castle”), symbolising the fortress of virtue. The castle was defended by eight ladies, each personifying a different virtue: Beauty, Honour, Perseverance, Kindness, Constancy, Bounty, Mercy, and Pity.
They were “besieged” by eight noblemen, representing courtly ideals such as Amorous, Nobleness, Youth, and Loyalty. King Henry VIII himself was a part of the group. The performance played out as a romanticised battle, where the women resisted but were eventually “captured,” leading to an elaborate dance and banquet.
Who Played Who?
Among the performers were some very familiar names:
- Mary Tudor (Henry VIII’s sister) as Beauty
- The Countess of Devonshire as Honour
- Jane Parker (later Jane Boleyn) as Constancy
- Mary Boleyn as Kindness
- Anne Boleyn as Perseverance
With hindsight, these roles seem almost prophetic – especially Anne’s.
Did Henry Notice Anne That Night?
Modern depictions – especially The Tudors – often romanticise The Château Vert as the moment Henry VIII first set eyes on Anne Boleyn. However, there is no evidence to support this.
At this point, Henry was likely still involved with Anne’s sister, Mary Boleyn, though details of their relationship remain vague. Some historians point to the fact that Henry rode out at the Shrovetide joust on the 2nd of March bearing the motto “She hath wounded my heart,” as a possible indication of his affair with Mary.
Anne’s own relationship with Henry did not begin until around 1526, and – ironically – it was at another Shrovetide joust that his interest in her became publicly evident.
Final Thoughts
Anne Boleyn’s introduction to the English court was one of performance, symbolism, and spectacle – a fitting first act for a woman who would become one of history’s most enigmatic figures. While The Château Vert was not the moment Henry fell for Anne, it was an early glimpse of the intelligence, charm, and confidence that would later captivate him.
The Château Vert is one of those historical events that I would’ve just loved to witness. Almost everyone who would later play a role in one of England’s most pivotal moments was there:
- Henry VIII took part in the pageant.
- Katherine of Aragon was likely in the audience, accompanied by her daughter,, Mary.
- Anne Boleyn took part in the pageant.
- Mary Boleyn took part in the pageant.
- Jane Parker (later Boleyn) took part in the pageant.
- Cardinal Wolsey would almost certainly have been present, as the event was hosted at his residence.
- Henry Percy and James Butler, both connected to Anne’s early court love life, were likely in attendance as members of Wolsey’s household.
It’s fascinating to think that, on this night in 1522, the key players in England’s future were all in one place – completely unaware of the storm that lay ahead.
