On May 21st, 1536, Anne began experiencing heavy cramps. Concerned that this could potentially be a bad sign, she called for her midwife immediately. At her request, Anne immediately set in motion plans for her ladies to begin the lying in process, without the pomp and ceremony that had accompanied Elizabeth’s arrival. Should Anne or the child be in danger, there was no time for such novelties. During the last three months of a Queen’s pregnancy, the midwife was living at court in case of such emergencies. The lying in took place that afternoon after the Queen was moved from her chambers to the birth room. The midwife, her assistants, and supplies took less than an hour to prepare. The cramping continued through the late evening.
After examining the Queen, the midwife found no detriment to the child. Anne was just experiencing some early contractions; the midwife recommended Anne change her breathing style and her ladies keep her as comfortable as possible. They called for herbal remedies to help Anne sleep and ease her discomfort. The following morning she awoke rested and rejuvenated, the cramps had subsided, and she insisted on continuing planning of the religious houses. The midwife resisted Anne’s attempts to exert herself and carefully thwarted those who could obtain access to her; for example, blocking the interference of Lord and Viscount Rochford, who could otherwise bring Anne diversions from the outside, which could not only contaminate the birthing chamber but excite the Queen into premature labor. The King was made aware of Anne’s condition and celebrated with his men, toasting to the health of mother and child. He took his nobles out hunting that day in celebration. For the sake of both, she was advised by the physicians to stay in her chambers until the lying in period was to start.
On the outside, Viscount Rochford had initiated a public relations campaign to mitigate negative reactions towards the Queen. With Cromwell’s coordination, the subjects were given free wine, quilts, bread and meats, all generously delivered while plays were put on for the people that showcased the religious reforms and poked fun at the Pope. Plans for a museum at the Tower of London, housing the royal jewels, were also drawn up at Anne’s insistence, as a means of subsidizing revenues lost from the new monastery diversion. These funds were then used towards educational/poor trusts of her choosing. An added benefit was to bring the people more in touch with their heads of state. During her confinement she and her attendants had made beautiful quilts for the poor. Henry embraced these examples of his wife’s activism and received letters while she was confined about her activities, so he might publicly insist that it was his idea to endow the people with such Christian charity.
On June 17th, while already lying in, Anne reported more intense contractions. Due to her delicate condition and the possibility of causing premature labor, no official churching ceremony was completed. Her ladies kept her occupied by sewing, reading, dancing, praying, card playing and conversing on the Queen’s vision of reformation. She debated scripture with her attendants and sought theological opinions from them, rare behaviors for a Queen. She listened intently to their ideas, some appealed to her, and others did not. Intently focusing on the child she was to bear, she let any slights go for the time being, but would catalog them for future use, should the need arise.
Twelve days later, around 1 in the afternoon of June 29th, 1536, Anne went into labor. The contractions were sudden, intense and quick with the labor lasting only 34 minutes. This delivery went much easier than the first. The midwife rejoiced and cried out “Your Majesty has given birth to a son!” as the ladies in the room burst into tears, followed by laughter and applause. Queen Anne had at last, birthed the precious Tudor son that would secure the dynasty. She burst into tears, joining her ladies in praising God, and called for King Henry. The Prince was immediately christened by the midwife, as a precautionary measure; but this time, there was no need. The child was healthy and able, of moderate length and weight, about 7 lbs. He had received Henry’s bright blue eyes, and Anne’s dark hair. The King was immediately notified by her chief lady-in-waiting, Madge Shelton, as she ran past the Yeoman shouting the news, interrupting a session of the Privy Council to tell the King in exasperation that he had a son. Typically, news of the birth would reside with the King’s Chief Groom, but Madge disregarded ceremony for value of the news she would deliver.
The King immediately slammed his fists on the table and a laughed heartily with joy. He ran over and hugged Madge, thanked God, and shouted at his men “I have a son! I have a son! God has not abandoned me, bless his mercy I have a son!” As the men cheered and exchanged hugs at the security of the dynasty, the King ran to the Queen’s birth chamber to welcome his son. He grabbed Anne and with a strong hug and kiss thanked her for her blessing and her duty, then laughed and shouted “Bring him to me, I want to see my SON!” The midwife appeared at once, bringing the baby boy into his father’s arms as he began to weep, holding his heir. This account was witnessed and chronicled by the midwife attendant, Shellie Flatley.