Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Other Boleyn Girl. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Anne Boleyn is executed for treason after failing to give Henry VIII a son, and her brother George is executed too. Mary Boleyn, the “other” sister, who left court to marry William Stafford for love, rescues Anne's daughter Elizabeth and escapes the deadly world of the Tudor court.
Quick facts
– Book: The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
– First published: 2001
– Type: A historical novel
– Tone of the ending: Bittersweet
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Mary is Henry VIII's mistress and has two children by him. Her family pushes her sister Anne forward, and Anne becomes queen. When Anne cannot produce a son, Henry turns against her.
What Happens at the End of The Other Boleyn Girl
Anne is arrested for adultery, incest and treason. She and George are executed. Mary, married to Stafford, takes care of her children and Elizabeth. She leaves court and lives quietly in the countryside.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Anne's ambition leads to her downfall.
- Mary chooses love over power.
- Elizabeth survives.
- The ending mixes history and fiction.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Mary Boleyn | Lives quietly with William Stafford |
| Anne Boleyn | Executed |
| George Boleyn | Executed |
| Henry VIII | Marries Jane Seymour |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the dangers of ambition and the value of a simple life.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Historians dispute many details, but readers enjoy the drama.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Ambition. Anne's ambition destroys her.
Family. The Boleyns use their daughters.
Love. Mary chooses love.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Other Boleyn Girl as bittersweet. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Philippa Gregory to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are bittersweet will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Philippa Gregory closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 2008 film ends with Mary taking young Elizabeth away from court.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Other Boleyn Girl with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about ambition, and do you agree with Philippa Gregory's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as bittersweet, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces ambition and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Philippa Gregory leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Other Boleyn Girl often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Other Boleyn Girl earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The Other Boleyn Girl on Amazon
Books to Read After The Other Boleyn Girl
- The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory
- Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Other Boleyn Girl?
Anne Boleyn is executed for treason after failing to give Henry VIII a son, and her brother George is executed too. Mary Boleyn, the “other” sister, who left court to marry William Stafford for love, rescues Anne's daughter Elizabeth and escapes the deadly world of the Tudor court.
Is the ending of The Other Boleyn Girl happy or sad?
Most readers call it bittersweet.
What does the ending of The Other Boleyn Girl mean?
The ending shows the dangers of ambition and the value of a simple life.
Is the ending of The Other Boleyn Girl the same in the adaptation?
The 2008 film ends with Mary taking young Elizabeth away from court.
Who wrote The Other Boleyn Girl and when was it published?
The Other Boleyn Girl was written by Philippa Gregory and first published in 2001.
Is The Other Boleyn Girl worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy historical novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Philippa Gregory prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Other Boleyn Girl before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.