I am not going to comment or explain. I am just going to let Anne’s words speak for her. Rest in peace, innocent victim.
Good Christian people, I am come hither to die according to law, for by the law I am judged to die, and therefore I will speak nothing against it. I am come hither to accuse no man, nor to speak anything of that whereof I am accused, as I know full well that aught that I could say in my defense doth not appertain unto you, and that I could draw no hope of life from the same. But I come here only to die, and thus to yield myself humbly unto the will of my lord the King. I pray God to save the king, and send him long to reign over you, for a gentler or more merciful prince was there never. To me he was ever a good and gentle sovereign lord. If any person will meddle with my cause, I require them to judge the best. Thus I take my leave of the world and of you, and I heartily desire you all to pray for me.
Agnes Strickland, Lives of the Queens of England, Volume IV
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I find this speech of Anne’s amazing (especially the part where she praises Henry’s gentleness. Is it possible that even at that late stage she was hoping for a last minute reprieve? Or perhaps she was being ironic, or passive aggressive, in the hope of making Henry feel guilty (some chance given his capacity to always believe he was right). I guess her dignified restraint was mainly intended to protect her daughter Elizabeth, and maybe also what friends and members of her family had still survived at that point.
Yeah, irony and protection are my own guesses as well! And yes, extraordinary speech…
“Ye seek for that shall not be found!”
Poignant and prophetic …
God Bless you Queen Anne now and forever ❤️