Episode Summary: Queen Catherine of Aragon having no faith in the legatine court refuses to attend the trial. The court, however, continues with the proceedings and begins with the investigation of her claim that her first marriage to Prince Arthur was not consummated. Sir Anthony Willoughby, one of the escorts that brought Prince Arthur to the nuptial bed, goes on the witness stand and makes a mockery of the court with his testimony. He, nonetheless, makes the point of invalidating Queen Catherine’s claim by sharing what Prince Arthur had said to him the morning after he shared his bed with his wife. Though his story amused the crowd, King Henry VIII did not appear to be pleased with the man’s testimony. Cardinal Wolsey, however, declares that the court may have the bloodstained sheets that would corroborate Sir Willoughby’s story. Continue reading...
King Henry VIII sends Cardinal Wolsey to speak with Queen Catherine. Though the Queen has already given him the reason for her absence in court, King Henry asks her again anyway. Moreover, Cardinal Wolsey informs the Queen that the King would like for her to surrender the matter to him for he believes that the court will only condemn her. Queen Catherine, however, believes that Cardinal Wolsey is acting on his own wit in coming to her. Moreover, she has convinced herself that he was the one who pushed her husband to pursue the end of their marriage. Queen Catherine knows very well that Cardinal Wolsey is harboring ill feelings against her and her nephew, the Emperor, due to his vain ambition of becoming Pope that the Emperor prevented from happening. Queen Catherine makes it known to him that she desires nothing more than to see his fall from the king’s good graces.
Sir Willoughby’s testimony became the butt of the joke among the people. Nonetheless, the people of England toast to the Queen of England for not paying any mind to what has been said about her. Meanwhile, King Henry VIII parades his mistress even though his divorce is still pending. This pleases the Boleyn’s camp especially his uncle, the Duke of Norfolk. Moreover, Duke Norfolk is pleased to hear that the Emperor blames Cardinal Wolsey for the divorce, and that the people of England will soon demand his head. Cardinal Wolsey’s fall will only mean the Duke of Norfolk’s rise to become the first man at court.
Charles Brandon wakes in the middle of the night to find his wife standing by the window deep in thought. He asks her to come join him in court the next day. Her brother, the King, has been asking that she attend the trial. Princess Margaret, however, could not bring herself to show support for his brother’s divorce knowing very well that he is giving up his marriage for Anne Boleyn. Princess Margaret believes that her brother has made a fool of himself for doing so, and that he has failed to see that his people feels the same way about him.
Bishop Fisher makes a statement in behalf of Queen Catherine of Aragon. He akin the appeal of King Henry VIII to dissolve his marriage from Queen Catherine as that of the tyrant Herod Antipas who had done the same thing in order to take his brother’s wife. He then calls upon John the Baptist whose head was served on a silver platter after criticizing the royal couple. Bishop Fisher then declares laying down his life to defend the sanctity of marriage and to condemn adultery. Bishop Tunstall then accuses him of treason.
Cardinal Wolsey calls for Sir Thomas More to ask him to go in his behalf to a conference in Cambria where the French and Imperial forces have agreed to discuss peace. Sir Thomas More’s mission is to obstruct an agreement for peace between the two parties. More importantly, there should be no reconciliation between the Pope and the Emperor for having one would only diminish any chances of the Pope granting King Henry VIII a divorce. Cardinal Wolsey assures Sir Thomas More that the King of France had promised him that he will never make peace with the Emperor. Sir Thomas More is to make sure that King Francis will fulfill his promise, and that the Pope is reminded that it was the Emperor who sacked Rome. Moreover, Sir Thomas More is to learn whether the Emperor will show his support for his aunt, Queen Catherine, by invading England if King Henry VIII gets his divorce.
As part of their agreement, King Henry VIII dines with his wife, but shows her no compassion. Moreover, he informs Queen Catherine that he believes the court will rule in his favor, and if it does not he is prepared to denounce the Pope and marry whom he pleases. Catherine assures Henry that she was a virgin when they consummated their marriage, but Henry does not care. Anne Boleyn having heard of Henry’s argument with Catherine becomes upset with him knowing that this will not do them any good. Anne expresses her impatience, beginning to wonder why she has let herself wait so long for a divorce that may not happen. Moreover, in her wait, she has spent her youth and passed up advantageous marriages that would have given her the opportunity to bear children. Anne Boleyn walks out despite the King of England’s pleas for her to stay.
Cardinal Campeggio meets with King Henry VIII who reminds him of the Lutherans’ destruction of churches in Germany. He warns him that those events are brought about by the people’s belief in Rome’s corruption. Moreover, he threatens him of what would happen if the Pope turns his back on him. Later, King Henry VIII asks Lord Rochford to tell her daughter to come back to court for tomorrow he will have his verdict, and he will be a free man.
The tribunal resumes to hear the judgment regarding King Henry VIII’s marriage with Queen Catherine. Cardinal Campeggio announces that the matter is too important to be decided in England, and must be brought to the curia in Rome. Regretfully, the curia is in summer recess such that the decision will be postponed until October 1st. The announcement shocks everyone in court including King Henry VIII who walks out of the court in silence. Queen Catherine learns from Ambassador Mendoza that Cardinal Campeggio received secret instructions from Rome that led to his shocking announcement. The Emperor worked tirelessly for the Queen’s cause, which is why her divorce has been put on hold. The Queen has Ambassador Mendoza to thank for he was the one who made sure that the Emperor knows of her suffering, and diligently ensured that the Emperor show his support to her aunt. Regretfully, Ambassador Mendoza has been called back to Spain, but he assures the Queen that his replacement, Ambassador Chapuys, is a trustworthy supporter.
Cardinal Wolsey concerned of his fate following the disappointing announcement Cardinal Campeggio made tries to appease the king by showering him with riches from the See of Durham, and an assurance of working assiduously for his cause. Knowing that he has fallen from the good graces of the king, he tells all this to Mr. Thomas Cromwell whom he also asks to advocate for him to the king. Mr. Cromwell declares his support for Cardinal Wolsey humbly admitting that if not for the cardinal he will still be a lowly clerk.
King Henry VIII goes riding with Anne Boleyn who furiously tells her that the Pope has summoned him to Rome. He finds this all insulting for he believes that as King of England he answers to no authority but God. Anne tells Henry that there are writers who believe that the king is both emperor and pope in his own kingdom. Having piqued his curiosity, King Henry VIII asks Anne to show her the book where she read this from, and begins to read the heretic book in the Grafton House where he now resides.
As Charles Brandon has intercourse with his mistress, Princess Margaret coughs up blood, and dies of consumption. Later that morning, Charles Brandon interrupts the King’s meeting with Lord Rochford to inform him that Princess Margaret passed away. This angers the King who wasn’t even aware that her sister was sick. A memorial service is given to Princess Margaret where the commoners and people of nobility attend except for King Henry VIII. The king is not permitted to go to funerals, because it is considered treason for anyone to imagine the king’s death. Later, alone with the lifeless body of his wife, Charles Brandon tearfully bids farewell and apologizes to her.
Sir Thomas More returns from Cambria, and immediately meets with the anxious Cardinal Wolsey who is surprised to hear that Sir Thomas More arrived a week late in Cambria. Moreover, he was unable to prevent the King of France from settling his differences with the Emperor. More astonishingly, both the King of France and the Emperor are now in good terms with Pope Clement. Given these new developments, Cardinal Wolsey believes that there is no chance that the Pope will grant King Henry his divorce. Sir Thomas More struggles to contain his delight at not fulfilling his mission so much so that Cardinal Wolsey notices it. His delight stems from knowing that there is once again peace in Europe, and that papal authority is restored and recognized. Unfortunately, Cardinal Wolsey could only think of his own ruin.
Cardinal Wolsey immediately learns that he truly is destroyed. He and Cardinal Campeggio arrive at the Grafton House where servants attend to Campeggio, but not one attends to him. Moreover, he is not even assigned a chamber. Thankfully, Mr. Norris has offered his humble room for Cardinal Wolsey to use. They meet with King Henry, and Cardinal Wolsey sure that the king has abandoned him is surprised to hear him reassure his loyalty, and express his distrust with his so-called friends. The next morning, however, he learns that the King was only toying with him, and that he, indeed, has fallen from his good graces. The guards prevent Cardinal Wolsey from speaking to the king as Henry and his crew goes out riding.
Ambassador Chapuys meets with Queen Catherine to present his credentials, and asks if he must do the same with Cardinal Wolsey. Having desired the fall of the cardinal, Queen Catherine of Aragon is fully aware that Cardinal Wolsey has fallen from grace. She delightfully informs Ambassador Chapuys that there is no longer any need to meet with the cardinal for he has been forbidden to attend court. Duke Norfolk, Duke Suffolk, and Lord Rochford now replace him as the king’s closest associates, but like Wolsey they are not supporters of Queen Catherine and are in fact her mortal enemies.
Duke Norfolk and Duke Suffolk arrive at Cardinal Wolsey’s residence to charge him of exercising powers of papal legate in the king’s realm. It is considered a crime for it belittles the king’s authority. Duke Suffolk happily hands him the king’s written orders commanding him to relinquish the great seal of his office, and to hand his riches to the king. He is to stay at the king’s house at Jericho where he is to await the verdict of the court. Only minutes after having been charged of a crime, the people already mock him. He turns to Mr. Cromwell, and sends him a letter seeking for some counsel. Mr. Cromwell receives the letter, but tears it apart upon reading it.
King Henry VIII speaks with Sir Thomas More about Cardinal Wolsey’s case. The cardinal has pled guilty on all the charges against him, and is sent to prison. The king, however, rescinded the punishment, and even allowed the cardinal to keep the bishopric of York and his pension. However, King Henry VIII has really met with Sir Thomas More to speak to him about becoming his new chancellor. Sir Thomas More, however, turns the king down infuriating King Henry VIII, but the king realizes that Sir Thomas More’s reluctance comes from his opposition on the king’s divorce. King Henry assures him that he will never ask him to be part of it. Moreover, he commands him to look to God first in all the things that he does. Sir Thomas More, though still hesitant to take the new position, shakes the king’s hand in acceptance.
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