# Anne Bullen — Henry VIII character guide

> Anne Bullen in Henry VIII by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Anne, Lady Anne Bullen, the Lady Anne, The Lady Anne

**First appearance:** 0010-act-ii-scene-iii

## Snapshot

A blushing handmaid who catches a king's eye and, with a new title and a thousand pounds a year, finds herself standing where a queen once stood.

## Who they are

Anne receives the king's favor with modesty, calling herself a 'blushing handmaid' whose prayers and wishes are all she can return, while the Old Lady jealously marvels at her sudden elevation to Marchioness of Pembroke. She shrinks from the court's gossip, saying it 'faints' her to think what follows, and remembers the comfortless queen even as her own fortune rises. Her ascent sets the play's second movement in motion, replacing one queen with another and turning private affection into public upheaval.

## Relationships

### [King Henry VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/king_henry_viii)

_romantic_

Anne is the object of Henry's desire, leading to his divorce from Katherine and her rise as queen.

### [King Henry VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/king_henry_viii)

_romantic_

Anne is the object of Henry's desire, leading to his divorce from Katherine and her rise as queen.

## In the story

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iv)

Present as a guest and chosen by the King to dance, marking the start of her rise in royal favor.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii)

Expresses sympathy for Queen Katherine and reluctance to become queen, but is granted the title Marchioness of Pembroke by the king.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Mentioned by Wolsey as a threat; he refuses to support her marriage to the king.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Crowned queen in a grand ceremony; described as having a sweet face and being an angel by onlookers.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-v-scene-v)

Referenced as the queen and mother of the child, though not present on stage; the King mentions she must thank the guests.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/anne_bullen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters