Not bad, if not exactly revelatory. Part 1 is a standard recap of the life and death to Anne Boleyn. Part 2, the period between her mothers death and her accession to the throne is a bit more interesting, focusing on the various ways Elizabeth subtly and symbolically expressed loyalty to her mother, despite her father’s and half siblings hostility. Part 3 covering Elizabeth’s reign has the most new information; detailed examinations of art work and jewelry featuring Anne’s emblems which Elizabeth carefully preserved or had created; letters and proclamations honoring Anne and glorifying, (somewhat fancifully ) the Boleyn lineage; and the lengthy list of Boleyn relatives and supporters loyally placed at the Elizabethan court . After her sister Mary’s disastrous attempt to revive Catholicism as the state religion, Elizabeth and her followers highlighted Anne’s eagerness to promote reform, praising her as the source of “true religion “ in the realm.

Many of Borman’s claims are speculative; Elizabeth “might” have thought this or “likely “ had that in mind; she “probably” visited this Boleyn property or “may have” intended that event . Yet I was impressed by the level of physical and documentary evidence Borman has collected in support of her thesis. While Elizabeth certainly revelled in her connection to her larger than life father, and though rehabilitating Anne was key to her own self preservation, Borman makes a persuasive case that Elizabeth remained profoundly connected to her mother spiritually and emotionally until the end of her days.