Anne Gainsford

Who is Anne Gainsford?

Anne Gainsford, Lady Zouche was a close friend and lady-in-waiting to Queen consort Anne Boleyn.

She was in the household of Anne Boleyn, as early as 1528 before the latter became the second wife of Henry VIII of England five years later. She served Anne Boleyn before and after her own marriage to Sir George Zouche of Codnor. It was Anne to whom Anne Boleyn lent her proscribed copy of William Tyndale's The Obedience of a Christian Man. After it was stolen in jest by her bethrothed, George Zouche, it fell into the hands of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. After its return, Anne Boleyn persuaded the King to read the book.

Following Anne Boleyn's marriage to the King in 1533, Anne remained in her service as her lady-in-waiting. In May 1536, she was obliged to testify against Queen Anne at her trial.

George Wyatt, the first biographer of Anne Boleyn, compiled his book on the Queen largely based on information provided by the reminiscences of Anne Gainsford.