Was Mary Boleyn really “the pretty one”, or is that just fiction?

I’m Claire Ridgway, historian and author, and today I’m pulling apart the myths to ask what we can actually say about Mary’s appearance.

In this podcast you’ll learn:

No line-by-line Tudor description survives. But wood science + Carey/Wharton family links + studio copies by Remigius van Leemput point to a fair/light-complexioned Mary with hazel-to-light-brown eyes and dark-blonde/light-brown/auburn hair, and a softly rounded face.

Tell me in the comments: does this portrait type convince you, or is Mary still a mystery?

If you enjoyed this deep dive, please like, subscribe, and tap the bell, and check my Mary Boleyn playlist for more - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLepqWJ7TpkrKSxTbgPHf6SjqFnqv_-pQ-

 

Further reading - http://jordaensvandyck.org/mysterious-woman-in-royal-collection-portrait-identified-as-mary-boleyn/

 

#MaryBoleyn #AnneBoleyn #TheOtherBoleynGirl #TudorHistory #History #ArtHistory #RoyalCollection #HeverCastle #BoleynFamily #PortraitResearch #EarlyModern