"Anne
Boleyn deserves her fate."
"Think not to impose on me as you have imposed on Suffolk!" cried
Herne, with a derisive laugh. "I know your motives better; I know you
have no proof of her guilt, and that in your heart of hearts you believe
her innocent. But you destroy her because you would wed Jane
Seymour! We shall meet again ere long--ho! ho! ho!"
And giving the rein to his steed, he disappeared among the trees.
VIII. The Signal Gun.
Anne Boleyn's arraignment took place in the great hall of the White
Tower, on the 16th of May, before the Duke of Norfolk, who was created
lord high steward for the occasion, and twenty-six peers. The duke had
his seat under a canopy of state, and beneath him sat the Earl of Surrey
as deputy earl-marshal.
Notwithstanding an eloquent and impassioned defence, Anne was
found guilty; and having been required to lay aside her crown and the
other insignia of royalty, was condemned to be burned or beheaded at
the king's pleasure.
On the following day, she was summoned to the archiepiscopal palace
at Lambeth, whither she was privately conveyed; and her marriage with
the king was declared by Cranmer to be null and void, and to have
always been so.
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