Sir Thomas Wyatt: Poems

Rumoured affair with Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn

Many have conjectured that Wyatt fell in love with Anne Boleyn in the early- to mid-1520s. Their acquaintance is certain, but it is not certain whether the two shared a romantic relationship. George Gilfillan implies that Wyatt and Boleyn were romantically involved.[30] In his verse, Wyatt calls his mistress Anna and might allude to events in her life:[30]

And now I follow the coals that be quent, From Dover to Calais against my mind

Gilfillan argues that these lines could refer to Anne's trip to France in 1532 prior to her marriage to Henry VIII[30] and could imply that Wyatt was present, although his name is not included among those who accompanied the royal party to France.[30] Wyatt's sonnet "Whoso List To Hunt" may also allude to Anne's relationship with the King:[30]

Graven in diamonds with letters plain, There is written her fair neck round about, "Noli me tangere [Do not touch me], for Caesar's I am".

In still plainer terms, Wyatt's late sonnet "If waker care" describes his first "love" for "Brunette that set our country in a roar"—presumably Boleyn.


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