It seems she was quite content with her fate, though we can expect she was afraid also. On May 19, Ambassador Chapuys reported, “No person ever showed greater willingness to die.” (3) She also evidently “complained that she had not been executed on Wednesday with her brother, saying that she hoped to have gone to Paradise with him,” (4).
Unfortunately, in the morning of the 18th, Kingston was sent to Anne Boleyn’s rooms to inform her that her execution was to be delayed until twelve o’clock, because the French executioner from Calais was delayed in his travels to England. When hearing this news, Anne reportedly said, “Master Kingston, I hear say I shall not die afore noon, and I am very sorry therefore, for I thought then to be dead and past my pain,” (5). When Kingston assured her that there would be no pain, and that the blow would be swift and subtle, Anne responded, “I have heard say the executioner was very good, and I have a little neck,” (6). Then, she is said to have laughed heartily. Later, Kingston would report to Cromwell, “I have seen many men and also women executed, and all they have been in great sorrow, but to my knowledge, this lady has much joy and pleasure in death,” (7).
At this point, it is clear that Anne was ready to die. She had been accused (most likely falsely) of hideous crimes, and had lost everything she had in her life – her husband, family, daughter, power, and reputation. What did she have left to live for? She was quite anxious to get it over with, according to these reports.
So, Anne was to wait another night – after originally thinking she would have been dead by now, she prepared herself for another night of prayer and preparation for her ultimate beheading, now scheduled for nine o’clock in the morning on 19 May.
Sources:
- Weir, Alison "The Lady in the Tower" - (1) page 263, (2) page 264, (3) page 264-265, (4) page 265, (5) page 266, (6) page 266, (7) page 266, (8) page 267.