Culture: A Historic Love Letter 文化:一封历史情书
The 16th century English King Henry VIII is best known for his prodigious appetite and habit of executing wives he was unhappy with, but a love letter written by Henry shows a softer side to his character.
The letter, which has been hidden in the Vatican for nearly 500 years, is to go on display at the British Library in London in April.
Henry wrote to Anne Boleyn, who would become his second wife, in January 1528, apologising to her for suggesting that she become his mistress.
In the letter Henry promises Anne that "henceforth my heart will be dedicated to you alone", an assurance that contradicts Henry’s womanising reputation.
Henry continues, "The beautiful words of your letter are so cordially phrased, that they really oblige me to honour, love, and serve you for ever."
Henry went on to marry Anne Boleyn after divorcing his first wife, the Spanish princess Catherine of Aragon, but despite having written to Anne like a lovesick schoolboy, Henry’s marriage to her ended badly.
Having failed to provide him with a male heir, Anne fell from favour with the king, whose chief minister had her charged with treason and adultery.
Anne was executed by beheading at the Tower of London in May 1536, leaving the way clear for Henry to marry his third wife Jane Seymour.
According to contemporary witnesses Anne went to her death displaying queenly dignity; on the morning of her execution she told her prison guard, "I heard say the executioner was very good, and I have a little neck."
Henry went on to be married a total of six times, divorcing twice and executing another wife, but in spite of all his efforts, Henry died without leaving a surviving male heir, a situation which resulted in the coronation of Anne’s daughter, Queen Elizabeth I.
英国国王亨利八世因处决他不喜欢的妻子的惊人嗜好和习惯而著称,但是亨利写的一封情书却表现出他性格中较温和的一面。
这封情书收藏在梵蒂冈近500年的时间,将于四月份在伦敦大英图书馆展览。
1528年1月份,亨利八世向他的第二任妻子安妮·博林写了一封信,因建议让她做他的情妇而道歉。
在信中,亨利向安妮承诺“从今以后,我的心将只忠于你一个人”,这个承诺与亨利跟许多女人有染的名声相悖。
亨利继续说,“你信中的话语非常诚恳,这使我想要永远尊敬你,爱你,为你服务。”
亨利与第一任妻子,西班牙公主凯瑟琳离婚之后与安妮·博林结婚。但是,尽管他曾像害相思病的小男生一样给安妮写情书,他们两人的婚姻最终一塌糊涂。
由于未能给亨利生下男性继承人,安妮迅速失宠。亨利的首席部长指控她叛国和通奸罪。
安妮在1536年5月在伦敦塔被斩首,为亨利赢取第三任妻子珍·西摩扫清了道路。
据当时的目击证人所说,安妮赴死刑时保持着女王一般的尊严。在行刑的那天早上,他告诉狱卒,“我听说刽子手非常好,我想试一下。”
亨利八世共结婚六次,离婚两次,后来又处决了一名妻子。尽管如此,亨利去世时仍然没有男性继承人。这直接造成安妮的女儿,伊丽莎白女王一世的加冕。