Ann Boleyn was Henry VIII's 2nd wife. After annulling his marriage to Katherine of Aragon, he quickly married Ann. Ann was an extravagant queen, fond of lavish parties, elaborate clothes and jewels. She kept a lively court. Ann was also a great advocate of the Protestant church, and played a pivotal role in England's separation from Rome.
When he married Ann, Henry was desperate for a son. 
Ann soon gave birth to Elizabeth, who would one day be Elizabeth I, but this first child was followed by two miscarriages, both boys. By this time, Henry had already fallen for one of Ann's ladies in waiting, Jane Seymour. He was convinced that his new marriage was cursed, and rumors circulated that Ann was a witch and an adulterer. Ann was arrested, along with her brother George on the charges of incest and treason. Four other men who were friends or in service to Ann were arrested on charges of adultery with the queen. After a brief trial, presided over by Ann's own uncle, she and the other men were convicted and sentenced to death. Ann was beheaded on May 19, 1536 on the Tower Green. Henry VIII married Jane Seymour 12 days later. After Elizabeth I rose to power, new romanticized interest in Ann surfaced, and she was considered by many to be a martyr. Her ghost is said to still haunt the Tower of London.
Knitting Ann was really fun. I've always been fascinated with her tragic story. Creating a detachable head turned out to be quite a challenge. After 2 hours at Lowes Hardware, UiJin and I finally constructed a mechanism consisting of custom fit plumbing fixtures, and a system of magnets. Sometimes my husband is surprisingly useful.
Next in line on my knitting needles will of course be Jane Seymour. If I can keep up my momentum, I believe I may even knit Henry VIII himself! And for those of you wondering, I am planning to release the pattern for the basic doll, but probably not until I finish the entire series.
I love this! Someone told me there was a doll like yours out there, so I went looking. I've actually made a vampire doll with a detachable everything, but this is really gorgeous. I love the detail in the eyes, hair, and the dress!
Posted by: Genevieve | October 13, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Wow, this was posted some time ago. Is it wrong for me to still be hopeful for a detachable head Boleyn doll?
Posted by: Stephanie | October 01, 2009 at 03:11 PM
I love it, such a good idea!
Posted by: The Anne Boleyn Files | April 26, 2009 at 08:17 AM
i was curious as to whether or not you'd be merchandising your "henry VIII and his wives"?
Posted by: Jamie | February 20, 2009 at 01:12 AM
Please let me know when you release the pattern!
Posted by: Christa | December 23, 2008 at 08:13 PM
I am obsessed with Anne Boleyn, also. My name says it all.
Posted by: Ann Boland | September 24, 2008 at 07:59 PM
Oh, my. Is it wrong that I want the pattern so I can knit up a Marie Antoinette? Just call me a modern day Terese DeFarge.
Posted by: Susan Ward | September 12, 2008 at 01:40 AM
I am so jealous! As a child I was obsessed with Anne Boleyn and to have a knit version, well, this is too cool!
Posted by: Leslie | August 25, 2008 at 06:04 PM
I have always been so fascinated by British monarchy and especially the Tudors. I absolutely love your knitted dolls, and Anne with the detachable head is awesome! Will you be knitting an Elizabeth one as well?
Posted by: Crafts by Alice | August 25, 2008 at 11:57 AM
I just love your Tudor family! I very much look forward to seeing Henry VIII! I am currently reading a book about Mary Stuart, Elizabeth's rival, so it fits.
Posted by: Muza | August 24, 2008 at 07:26 AM
She is brilliant! I've worked on a cross stitch series of Henry VIII and his wives, but this is a lot more fun. I look forward to when you release the pattern! Wonderfully creative work.
Posted by: TracyW. | August 20, 2008 at 11:47 AM
This is wonderful! Makes me want to be able to knit more than a scarf! Thank you for sharing. :-)
Posted by: Merouda/Elyse | July 29, 2008 at 08:30 AM
she turned out super and i enjoyed reading about her :D
Posted by: Eva | July 24, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Do you have a pattern for this doll???
Posted by: Geri Zagorianos | July 24, 2008 at 10:45 AM
I watched all seasons so far of The Tudors and am reading a book called The Autobiography of Henry VIII which is a well researched historical fiction novel. So I am very into the story and his wives and this is hilarious. I am also a knitter.
Posted by: windyridge | July 22, 2008 at 03:10 PM
You can use the same concept with Cathrine Howard! You will probably have to change her hair color though....
I love it! I have been totally into Henry and his 6 wives lately. Read the other Boylen Girl and RE READ the Autobiography of Henry VIII by his fool. That was a beast of a book to get through, but I loved it.
Thanks for the preview!
Posted by: beth | July 22, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Your doll is absolutely beautiful. I have always been fascinated with Anne Boleyn. I cannot wait to see the rest of your series and hope that you will someday share a basic pattern for the dolls. These would be great fun to make!
Posted by: Heather Lambert | July 22, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Will you be publishing the patterns in this series. I'd love to make them for my granddaughters!
Posted by: Cindy | July 22, 2008 at 08:17 AM
How FAB!! You should sell a whole era of patterns, I would be the first in line! Will keep my eyes peeled for further creations!
Emma
Posted by: emma | July 22, 2008 at 03:18 AM
she is a true beauty! as someone who just finished watching the other Boleyn girl last week--the details are spot on--at least from what I can gather from the movie,etc. The detachable head is a hoot! I mean its kinda creepy--but its funny--weird. Ingenious--can't wait to see more of this series--
Posted by: Ana Isabel | July 21, 2008 at 09:34 PM
I laughed in delight when I saw this on the Craftzine blog - she's so sweet and darkly whimsical! I'll be keeping an eye out for Jane.
Posted by: Rhian | July 21, 2008 at 05:43 PM
this is totally gorgeous. great work!
Posted by: Daniel | July 21, 2008 at 05:31 PM
I'm SO looking forward to seeing all the dolls in the series! They are wonderfully adorable. Is there a Henry doll planned?
Posted by: Brandy | July 18, 2008 at 08:14 PM
That is 100% amazing! I am fascinated with Ann and her daughter Elizabeth. When my sister said you had created an Ann doll and eventually all of Henry's wives I was tickled pink! Great Job!
Posted by: Kendra B | July 13, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Wow! I love her; she's gorgeous. That is so clever.
Posted by: luckylily | July 10, 2008 at 07:44 PM