Episode Summary: Thomas Cromwell instructs the painter Holbein to use his artistry to make Anne of Cleves look more appealing than she truly is. He finds the search for a new wife for King Henry VIII of utmost importance in spite of an impending attack on England following the signing of the Treaty of Toledo. It is an attack the vicar of Rome has instigated, which King Henry believes has a goal of corrupting England of her religion and stripping her of her wealth.Continue reading...
Cromwell hands King Henry a portrait of Anne of Cleves, and highlights her good qualities. He is determined to convince His Majesty to choose Anne of Cleves as his new wife. Cromwell argues that marriage to the Duchess of Milan and to any one of French nobility is no longer an option given that the King of France and the Holy Roman Emperor have joined forces to wage a war against King Henry VIII. He believes that the King’s marriage to Anne of Cleves will provide England the military force they need to win the war against their enemies.
Envoys of King Henry VIII inform Duke William of the King’s interest in marrying Anne, but the Duke is hesitant in having her sister marry the King of England. Sensing King Henry’s dire need for a wife and aid in the war against England, the Duke demands that the King publicly beg him for his sister’s hand. He argues that Anne is already betrothed to the son of the Duke of Lorrain, and so believes that his sister is worth more than what the King of England has offered.
A fleet of Imperial ships was seen approaching England causing alarm, but they were soon found to be ships bound for Spain with no capability to carry an attack on any realm. Cromwell who is convinced that a war has been waged against England appears dismayed at the report. King Henry VIII summons the Imperial Ambassador to ascertain the supposed invasion the Holy Roman Emperor and the King of France have agreed to carry out with the encouragement of the Pope. Ambassador Chapuys refutes this claim, and adds that the Holy Roman Emperor and the King of France are in fact no longer in alliance, since the French have consorted with the Turks, a known enemy of the Holy Roman Emperor. With the King of France and the Holy Roman Emperor once again enemies, Ambassador Chapuys informs King Henry that he is once again welcome to marry the Duchess of Milan. King Henry VIII, however, has had enough. He refuses to be a pawn in the dispute between France and the Empire.
The King’s envoys return to meet Duke William with news that King Henry VIII is determined to marry Anne of Cleves that he had consented to forego receiving a dowry. Moreover, he has offered to provide the Duke a stipend as a token of his appreciation for introducing him to the Protestant League. This leaves them with just one obstacle, and that is the fact that Anne is betrothed to the son of the Duke of Lorraine. They quickly learn that the Duke has found that the betrothal was not binding for there was no contract that ratified it. Duke William, therefore, has decided to send his ambassadors to England to finalize the negotiations.
Sir Francis Bryan has intercepted a letter from Cardinal Pole to Cardinal Von Waldburg, and has managed to decode it. In the letter, Cardinal Pole writes that he has sent a letter to King Francis telling him that the Holy Roman Emperor is sympathetic to his cause. This, he admits, is not the truth for the Emperor fears the Turks more than King Henry, and so has no desire to wage a war against England. In light of this, Cardinal Pole has decided to go to the papal city of Carpentras instead of Paris to await further instructions from the Pope. Sir Francis and Sir Thomas Seymour arrive in the papal enclave of Venaissin in Carpentras, a place that has been turned into a brothel. A woman leads them to the cardinal, and finds the man copulating with a prostitute. Sir Francis readies his attack, but soon learns that the licentious cardinal is not Cardinal Pole.
Lord Suffolk pays a visit to the newly named Earl of Hertford, Edward Seymour. He has come to set aside their differences, and to connive against Cromwell. Lord Suffolk was given orders to meet the future Queen of England, but disapproves of the choice. His disapproval stems from the knowledge that Cromwell pushed for the marriage to further his agenda. The Duke of Suffolk and the Earl of Hertford agree to prevent the marriage between King Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves. Lady Mary hears of her father’s decision to marry a Lutheran, and becomes angered at the thought that she will be betrothed to a heretic for her marriage is tied to whomever her father chooses.
The German envoys Mr. Hoghesten and Count Olisleger arrive in Chequers, Calais to present Princess Anne to Lord Suffolk. Anne of Cleves arrives with a dark veil covering her face. Due to inclement weather, Lord Suffolk has decided to postpone their journey to London. Princess Anne then asks that she and Lord Suffolk use the time to apprise her of King Henry’s interests. According to Lord Suffolk, the King likes to play cards, a game Anne is unfamiliar with for in her country only men play it. He takes it upon himself to teach the young princess who asks if the King always wins, and so he tells Anne that the King dislikes losing. Lord Suffolk returns to London, but has no input as to the appearance of Anne for the princess’ face is covered with a dark veil. The mystery surrounding Anne of Cleves increases King Henry’s desire to possess the young woman. Unable to stand the wait, King Henry decides to forego the scheduled meeting, and rides to Rochester to meet Princess Anne. Anne of Cleves is taken by surprise by the King’s unexpected arrival; she finds that she has not acted admirably in front of her future husband.
True enough, a livid King Henry VIII returns to London, and declares his dislike of Anne of Cleves. He meets with his council to reproach them of their deceit. The men have spoken highly of Anne and of her beauty, but King Henry finds that her face resembles that of a horse. Cromwell passes the blame on Sir John Hutton whom he accuses of providing false reports. Regrettably, King Henry’s marriage to Anne can no longer be dismissed for the King of France and the Holy Roman Emperor are once again allies. Cromwell makes it appear as though France and the Empire are conspiring on invading England, and adds that the Duke of Cleves might decide to wage a war against King Henry for refusing the agreed marriage between him and Anne.
Anne of Cleves is formally presented to King Henry VIII, his family, and his court. King Henry accepts her as his new bride. He, however, confides to Lord Suffolk of his desire to evade marriage to Princess Anne for he finds her repugnant. Lord Suffolk reminds him that, as Cromwell continually insists, the King is left with no other choice. Moreover, he adds that Cromwell did not present him with any other remedy forcing the King to marry the woman he loathes. King Henry VIII is fully aware of Cromwell's persistence to take Anne of Cleves as his bride. He agrees with Lord Suffolk’s supposition of Cromwell’s deceit. King Henry’s lawyers did not find any legal remedy to dissolve the betrothal of Anne of Cleves. The King must therefore marry Princess Anne. He, however, finds no desire to possess her that he does not consummate their marriage.
Cromwell learns from the King himself his lack of appetite to perform marital duties of a husband with Anne, and takes it upon himself to speak privately with her. He confides to her that it is to her and his benefit that she satisfy the needs of the King, and suggests that she must soon bear child. Learning that the marriage still has not been consummated, Cromwell becomes gravely concerned, and so is Anne who fears that she will be put to death for failing to please the King.
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