Today, May 19, is the anniversary of the execution of Anne Boleyn who was beheaded by sword at the Tower of London in 1536. When Boleyn demanded that Henry VIII make her his wife, not his mistress, years of religious turmoil in the Catholic Church ensued because of their prohibition against divorce. Henry did have his marriage to Catherine of Aragon annulled and wed Boleyn in 1533. But because she couldn't produce any male heirs, she was accused of adultery and executed. (Sometimes you just can't win).

There's a treasure trove of books on Anne and now, even her sister, Mary, whose story was told in the recently released film, The Other Boleyn Girl based on the book by Philippa Gregory.