Category: Around the World

Anne Boleyn is one of history’s most famous women, with a reputation for capturing the heart of King Henry VIII and influencing a fundamental shift in political and religious power that changed the world.

But before all that, she was just a young noble Englishwoman.

On the 486th anniversary of her untimely end, let’s take a look at the life of Anne Boleyn.

Hever Castle, England

Anne was (probably) born in 1533, and raised at Hever Castle in Kent, near London. She and her two siblings grew up here. Anne left at age 13 to serve in royal households across western Europe. As a teen, she spent much time in France, excelling in music and entertainment, which helped her catch the eye of the King of England after she returned home.

It is reported that, while Henry VIII pursued her romantically, Anne would retreat to her childhood home for a reprieve from the attention and pressure to entertain the king.

Pembroke Castle, Wales

While being courted by the king, Anne was given the title Marquess of Pembroke, making her one of the most powerful women in England. While it’s not likely she ever visited the lands associated with the title, the lands and castle are an important part of England’s history.

The first structures were built in the 1000s, and the castle constructed in the 1200s. But by the late 1500s, the earl had earned the disfavor of the king, who encouraged the literal dismantling of the structure. It was restored about 100 years ago to its former glory.

Westminster Abbey, London, England

On June 1, 1533, Anne was formally crowned queen in a  large ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Anne was pregnant at the time, and Henry was eager to have his baby born with all the royal protection possible.

The cathedral has long been an important site in England, especially for royalty. Now part of the Church of England, the cathedral has long been home to royal weddings, funerals, coronations, and other ceremonies. William and Kate were married here in 2011.

St. James Palace, London, England

While Anne and Henry were still on good terms, the king began construction on a new, smaller palace. Henry even indicated his love for Anne by inscribing their initials on the exterior. It was a popular residence for royalty during the Tudor years, and a primary residence for the Stuarts and Hanovers.

These days, it’s the primary residence for several of Queen Elizabeth’s children and grandchildren.

Windsor Castle, Windsor, England

Founded by William the Conqueror, Windsor Castle has been so integral to the royal British family that they officially adopted the name in the 20th century. Henry VIII made significant modifications to the structure. The building complex, once a medieval fortification, became a diplomatic and and entertainment hub.

Today, the castle complex is as important as ever. It was a safe haven during World War II bombings, and was even the location for Henry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018.

Hampton Court Palace, London, England

Originally built for Cardinal Wolsey, the disgraced cardinal gave the property to Henry VIII to try and buy back his good favor. It quickly became one of the king’s favorite properties. It was a perfect weekend retreat for the entertainment-happy Tudors, and the the Stuarts.

In addition to a remarkable chapel, the gardens are world-famous. They even include a grape vine that is over 300 years old and still produces grapes for the annual wine production!

Tower of London, London, England

Anne only spent a few short years in the favor of the king. Shortly after giving birth to the future Queen Elizabeth I, Anne began to lose the attention of Henry. In his zeal to have a male heir, he listened to rumors and believed slander against Anne.

Henry had her arrested in 1536, less than three years after their marriage. During her “trial” she was housed at the Tower of London, on May 2. Only two weeks later, and without a chance to defend herself, Anne was convicted of charges including adultery and treason.

She was sentenced to death, and on Friday, May 19, she was executed by beheading. Before her death, she addressed the crowd and reminded them of her innocence. While it did not preserve her life, it did lay the groundwork for the restoration of her image in history.

Anne Boleyn died at 36 years of age, and yet she is one of the most famous, and influential, women in history. Her marriage to Henry VIII set in motion a series of events that eventually brought about an age of religious tolerance, allowing people to move to America and setting in motion for the creation of an entirely new nation.

Anne Boleyn is certainly a woman who changed the world.

While the Bard was born 457 years ago today, his works are as popular as ever, with plays being performed on stages large and small, from the local high school to Royal Shakespeare productions.

Today, let’s celebrate the world’s most famous playwright by looking at his life, and legacy.

Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK

While April 23 is celebrated as William Shakespeare’s birthday, we don’t know for sure that this is the day he was born. The official record only notes his baptism on April 26. Generally, babies were baptized when they were three days old, so it would make sense he was born on April 23. Saying he was born on this date holds additional appeal, as it’s also the day he died, 52 years later.

His birthplace is now a small museum, where visitors can see where the writer grew up with his many siblings and learn about his father’s business endeavors, which were conducted one one side of the building.

King Edward XI School, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK

Shakespeare probably attended school just down the street at a well-regarded grammar school, where he learned Latin, the English alphabet, and religious studies.

It’s presumed he attended school here because he came from a wealthy family, and it was the only school in the area. Boys of his age and station have attended this school for hundreds of years.

The school, still in use, has embraced its reputation as being “Shakespeare’s School” and celebrates his birthday with a procession from the school to Shakespeare’s grave, where students lay a wreath.

Royal Shakespeare Theater, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK

Shakespeare’s hometown really loves being known as the birthplace of the Bard. Several theaters, performing arts centers, and historical places are dedicated to their most famous son. There are also countless restaurants, stores, and gift shops that capitalize on Shakespeare’s name.

The Royal Shakespeare Theater, managed and run by the Royal Shakespeare Company, officially opened in 2011, with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip overseeing the festivities. The new theater can hold 1,000 people, and hosts about 20 performances per year.

William Shakespeare’s Grave, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK

Shakespeare moved to London when he was in his late 20s, but retired in Stratford-upon-Avon after a successful career. He passed away on his 52nd birthday, perhaps after a heavy drinking session with friends that resulted in a fever.

He was buried in the town church, and his resting place has since become an important place for visitors to see when they come to the town to learn more about and pay respects to the famous wordsmith. The slab covering his body has a sternly-worded warning against moving his body, so his bones were left undisturbed when the chapel was recently renovated.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, London, UK

Shakespeare grew in success in London as a playwright, and eventually had a troop of performers who put on his works. They built a theater, which was named the Globe Theater. The original caught fire during a performance of Henry VIII in 1613. It was rebuilt in 1614, but closed down a few decades later.

A recreation of the theater was built in 1997 near the original theater’s location. Like in Shakespeare’s days, patrons can pay a smaller admission fee to stand and watch the play, rather than sit in a seat.

Juliet Balcony, Verona, Italy

While there’s no evidence that Shakespeare ever visited Italy, several of his most famous plays are staged there, usually in Verona. One of the most famous scenes in all of theater was staged by Shakespeare on a balcony in Verona, between two “star-crossed lovers” in Romeo and Juliet.

Over the years, a balcony on a private entrance has become famous as the “Juliet Balcony”. While it’s a private residence, visitors love to stop by and imagine the passion that was felt those many years ago.

Kronborg Castle, Denmark

While Romeo and Juliet may be the most famous love story, Hamlet is likely the most famous play ever written. Period. Kronborg Castle is largely agreed to be the model for Elsinore, the castle in Hamlet. It’s likely that a troop of actors who had toured the castle described it to the Bard, who then wove those details into the famous tragedy.

Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C., USA

While Shakespeare was an Englishman, the largest repository of his works, as well as contemporary literature, is actually in Washington, D.C. at the privately-owned Folger Shakespeare Library. It holds hundreds of folios, or first edition volumes of works, including poems, plays, and other works.

A theater associated with the library puts on several Shakespeare and Shakespeare-related performances.

The library has become a wonderful place to study, learn more about, and enjoy Shakespeare’s work.

Shakespeare’s work is so readily available, from the famous Leonardo Dicaprio/Claire Danes Romeo and Juliet, to zombie movie Warm Bodies based on the same play, or even the Lion King, based on Hamlet. It’s simply amazing to see how much Shakespeare still influences the arts today. Happy Birthday, William.

The entire world has been watching events unfold in Ukraine these past two and a half weeks. Beautiful landmarks and historic sites are settings for unspeakable tragedy and human suffering.

Let’s take a few minutes to learn about the beauty and history of Ukraine, and find ways to help the people of this beautiful nation.

Kyiv Percheska Lavra

This beautiful Orthodox monastery is more than 1,200 years old, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Monks established an order in the caves, creating catacombs, underground chapels, and other living spaces. Above ground, there is a cathedral, which was destroyed in World War II and rebuilt, a great bell tower, and some smaller churches.

The site is both a working religious monastery and pilgrimage destination, as well as a state museum.

Rodina Mat, Monument to the Motherland

The Motherland Monument was built after World War II when Ukraine was a Soviet republic. Controversial from the start, the 335-foot tall statue pays tribute to those who perished in defense of Kyiv and Ukraine.

It has strong Soviet and Russian overtones, and has become a mixed symbol in recent years as Ukraine has shifted ties toward democratic, western and European ideals. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful structure that stands guard over the capital city night after night of terrible bombing and shelling from Russians attempting to capture the city, and the country.

Kyiv TV Tower

Built in the Soviet era, the TV tower in central Kyiv, was a symbol of strength and was the tallest free-standing metal structure in the world until 2012, when the Tokyo Skyree was completed.

It was built on top of a Jewish cemetery, in problematic disregard for the interred underneath the structure. On March 1, a Russian missile struck the tower, cutting television communication to the residents of the city for hours, and killing five civilians.

Babi Yar Massacre Site

In 1941, Germans occupied Kyiv and rounded up the city’s Jewish population. More than 33,000 thousand Jews were shot between September 29-30 and  buried in a ravine. Over the coming years, the occupying Germans would murder and bury countless others here, including Soviet soldiers, Roma, and other “undesirables”.

This site, sacred ground to many, is close to the TV tower, and was damaged by the bombing by Russian soldiers.

Independence Square

Kyiv’s central square, or maidan, has often been the gathering place for protests and social movements. In 2013, when the government rejected popularly-voted on moves for closer integration with Europe, people began protesting in the square.

Protests grew into an entire revolution emphasizing Ukraine’s desire to be more democratic, more aligned with Europe, and rejecting corruption by oligarchs and government leaders.

More than 100 people died in the revolution, now referred to as Euromaidan, or the Revolution of Dignity.

Monument of the Third Angel at Chernobyl

In 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant experienced a catastrophic meltdown. The town was evacuated and is still nearly entirely abandoned. People can visit the grounds, but are not allowed to step off the guided paths.

Russian soldiers have taken over the power plant and international organizations are concerned about the risk to people at the site, and around Ukraine, if the plant is damaged.

There is a monument at Chernobyl of the Third Angel referred to in the Book of Revelation, which prophesied that a great explosion would rise up and cover the earth. The meaning of that monument is more appropriate now than ever.

Monument to the Founders of Odessa

One of the greatest cities in Ukraine was founded by Catherine the Great in 1794, and the port city has become an integral part of the culture and economy of Ukraine. A statue built in honor of Catherine and the other founders was erected in 1900, but dismantled under the Soviet regime.

It was reconstructed in 2007 in honor of the city’s history, and is now a major tourist destination.

Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater

The Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater is one of the city’s cultural treasures. The original structure was built in 1810, but burned down. It was rebuilt in 1887, and the new structure has a unique design that enhances acoustics. Even a whisper on the stage can be heard in any part of the theater.

These days, the theater is protected by sand bags and blockades as Russian soldiers may bear down on the city at any time. Performers even sang songs as they stacked bags to protect the iconic landmark from a potential invasion.

These are just a few sites in Ukraine that have been loved for years, seen by millions, and treasured by all. If you are interested in helping the people who have had to flee their homeland for safety, and able to donate, here are some links that have longstanding reputations of doing the most good.

UNICEF

Save the Children

Salvation Army