Anne Boleyn's long-lost wooden bird could be worth $270K

Fitzsimmons, from Devon, in southwest, England, is now planning to present the sixteenth century falcon to Hampton Court Palace -- the place the wooden bird would have probably adorned Boleyn's personal quarters -- on a long-term mortgage. He stated he was delighted to make the invention after matching the bird to a Hampton Court Palace drawing that depicted the identical piece. An evaluation of the bird towards the drawing confirmed his hunch."It is really quite an incredible find because Anne Boleyn is probably the most famous woman of all time," Fitzsimmons advised CNN. "And Henry VIII did his utmost best to completely obliterate every trace of her. All her emblems were removed from the palace, and nothing survived," he stated, including: "This is really quite spectacular because it is in perfect condition and it has got all its original gilding, all its original paint." The infamous Henry VIII famously break up from the Catholic Church to divorce his first spouse, Catherine, with a view to marry Boleyn in 1533. The transfer led to the creation of a separate Church of England. But three years later, he accused Boleyn of adultery, incest and conspiracy -- and ordered her loss of life.

Fitzsimmons stated that whereas the staggering worth of the Boleyn bird is notable, a very powerful factor to him is ensuring that it "gets back to the right location where it should be.""It really has to go back to Hampton Court Palace," Fitzsimmons stated of Henry VIII's favourite residence. "It does carry a huge value. But it's not about the value," he added.Historian Tracy Borman, chief curator for Historic Royal Palaces, the charity that manages Hampton Court Palace, advised CNN that she can be excited concerning the discovery of Boleyn's wooden falcon."This discovery is hugely significant. Artifacts relating to Anne Boleyn are incredibly rare, thanks to the fact that Henry VIII wanted all traces of her removed from his palaces after her execution in 1536," Borman stated.

Borman defined that the bird is "very similar to others carved for the Great Hall at Hampton Court in preparation for Anne becoming queen and was likely part of the decorative scheme. The carving is very fine and restoration work has uncovered the beautiful gilding which suggests it was a high status item."She added that the bird was "likely saved by a supporter of Anne," saying that it's "wonderful that it has survived for almost 500 years, right up to the present day."Borman additionally identified that the invention is sure to excite Boleyn's notable fanbase."Of all Henry's wives, Anne Boleyn has by far the largest following so this find is likely to attract a huge amount of interest," Borman stated.Borman's forthcoming ebook "Crown & Sceptre" will supply a complete historical past of the British monarchy. She stated she is "delighted" that she came upon about this surviving artifact of Boleyn's life in time to incorporate it within the ebook.