Mary Shelton Character Analysis in Wolf Hall

Mary Shelton is Anne Boleyn’s cousin and one of her ladies-in-waiting. When Anne is pregnant for the second time, Henry turns his attention to Mary Shelton since Mary Boleyn is not at court. Anne is furious that Henry is sleeping with Shelton, so she wants her thrown out of court. However, Anne’s father, Thomas Boleyn, believes it is a good thing for Henry’s dalliances to stay within the family.

Mary Shelton Character Timeline in Wolf Hall

The timeline below shows where the character Mary Shelton appears in Wolf Hall. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Power, Ambition, and Deception Theme Icon

...low stools who are pretending to sew, among whom is Mary Boleyn. There is also Mary Shelton , a Boleyn cousin who looks at Cromwell disapprovingly—he thinks she must be thinking that... (full context)

...Cromwell leaves the room, Mary Boleyn follows him out. She tells Cromwell that she and Mary Shelton can’t wait for him to come again because they thought Anne Boleyn might “run up... (full context)

...Harry Percy. She “snaps” that she might then at least “occupy the estate of wife.” Mary Shelton says she hears that Harry Percy “has gone mad” and is spending all his money,... (full context)

...king, which makes it difficult to see him jealous. That night, the king retires early. Mary Shelton asks Cromwell for a Bible since Anne wants to swear on something. Later, when Cromwell... (full context)

...and in the absence of Mary Boleyn, the king has started showering his attention on Mary Shelton . (full context)

Children and Human Connection Theme Icon

...Anne Boleyn is always afraid and she tells him that Anne is now jealous of Mary Shelton because Henry has expressed an interest in her. She says that Anne wanted to send... (full context)