Anne Gainsford facts for kids

Anne Gainsford, Lady Zouche (who died before July 16, 1548) was a trusted friend and lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne Boleyn. A lady-in-waiting was a woman who helped and served a queen or princess.

Anne Gainsford worked for Anne Boleyn as early as 1528. This was five years before Anne Boleyn became the second wife of Henry VIII of England. Anne Gainsford continued to serve Anne Boleyn even after she married Sir George Zouche of Codnor.

Some people believed that George Wyatt, who wrote a book about Anne Boleyn, got his information from Anne Gainsford. However, Anne Gainsford died many years before Wyatt was born, so this is not true.

Anne Gainsford's Life

Anne Gainsford was born in Crowhurst, Surrey, England. Her exact birth date is not known. She was the daughter of John Gainsford and his second wife, Anne Hawte. Anne Gainsford also had a sister named Mary.

Working for Anne Boleyn

Before 1528, Anne Gainsford began working for Anne Boleyn. At this time, King Henry VIII was trying to marry Anne Boleyn. Anne Gainsford was Anne Boleyn's waiting-woman. Her mistress often called her Nan, which was a common nickname for Anne back then.

The Banned Book Incident

In 1528, something important happened at the royal court. Anne Boleyn lent Anne Gainsford her copy of a book called The Obedience of a Christian Man. This book was written by William Tyndale. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey had banned this book.

Anne Gainsford's future husband, Sir George Zouche, playfully took the book from her. Later, Richard Sampson, a church leader, found the book with George Zouche. He quickly took it to Cardinal Wolsey.

When Anne Boleyn heard about this, she was not angry with Anne Gainsford. Instead, she told the King that it would be "the dearest book that ever dean or cardinal took away." She then went to King Henry VIII and complained about the book being taken.

The King ordered the book to be returned to Anne Boleyn. She then convinced the King to read the book himself. He was very impressed by it. King Henry VIII said it was a book "for me and all kings to read." Because of Anne Gainsford's small mistake, King Henry VIII read a banned book. This book spoke against the Pope's power and supported the power of kings.

The Prophecy Book

Another interesting event happened at court in 1530. A book of old prophecies appeared in Anne Boleyn's rooms. When opened, it showed three simple drawings. These pictures were meant to be the King, Catherine of Aragon, and Anne Boleyn. The drawing of Anne Boleyn had no head.

Anne Gainsford saw the book and its drawings. She reportedly said, "If I thought it true, though he were an emperor, I would not myself marry him." This meant she would not marry the King if she believed the prophecy. Anne Boleyn, however, simply called the book a "bauble," meaning something silly or worthless.

Marriage and Later Service

In 1533, Anne Boleyn became the Queen of England. Anne Gainsford remained one of her ladies-in-waiting. That same year, Anne Gainsford married Sir George Zouche. He became a "gentleman pensioner" to the King. This meant he was a royal bodyguard.

After Queen Anne Boleyn was executed, Anne Gainsford continued to serve the next queen, Jane Seymour.

Family Life

Anne Gainsford and Sir George Zouche lived mainly at Codnor Castle in Derbyshire. They had eight children together.

Their children included:

• John Zouch of Codnor
• Margaret Zouch, who married Augustine Babington
• George Zouch
• William Zouch
• Lucy
• Frances
• Anne
• Audrey

Who Was the Informant?

Towards the end of the 1500s, George Wyatt wrote one of the first books about Anne Boleyn. He said he got much of his information from one of Anne Boleyn's serving women. For a long time, people thought this woman was Anne Gainsford.

However, historians now know this is incorrect. Anne Gainsford died before George Wyatt was born. Records show that her husband, George Zouche, had remarried by July 16, 1548. George Wyatt was born around 1553, several years after Anne Gainsford had passed away.

The idea that Anne Gainsford was Wyatt's source likely came from another writer, John Louth. He wrote about Anne Gainsford and the banned book incident. Since both stories involved a maid and a banned book, people got them confused.

Images for kids

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  This chalk portrait by Hans Holbein the Younger is sometimes thought to be Anne Gainsford. However, it is more likely to be Mary Zouche, another lady-in-waiting.