Episode Summary: It is 1536, and King Henry VIII weds Jane Seymour at the Chapel Royal in London. Unlike his previous marriages that were fraught with resistance and complications, everyone seems to have embraced his marriage with Jane. However, the Reformists feel that their cause is in danger for unlike King Henry’s previous wife, Jane Seymour appears to favor the Roman Catholic Church.Continue reading...
Trouble ensues at Yorkshire in Northern England as the Reformists burn down Sawley Abbey, but not before looting it of its treasures. However, the Catholics have had enough of such destruction that they have started to express their willingness to fight the injustice done to them. The road ahead for Catholics will prove to be a difficult one for Parliament has approved the suppression of monasteries. The closures unearthed scandalous behaviors from priests and have sequestered objects used to have the faithful pay for indulgences. The closures, however, also added millions of pounds to the King’s treasury.
Lady Mary writes to his father, the King, beseeching him to take her back, but King Henry VIII refuses to do so unless her daughter acknowledges the dissolution of her mother’s marriage to the King. The King, however, has no qualms in receiving the Holy Roman Emperor, Queen Catherine of Aragon’s nephew, in his court. In fact, Ambassador Chapuys is once again welcome at the court, and receives audience with the new Queen. He expresses his delight of her marriage to King Henry, but he has not come to see her only to show his approval. Ambassador Chapuys has come to request Jane Seymour to help Lady Mary regain favor with his father. Queen Jane declares her willingness to become Lady Mary’s ambassador, and Ambassador Chapuys makes it known to her that Lady Mary will return the favor by being her most loyal daughter. Unknown to them, King Henry VIII has spied on their conversation.
The new Queen meets with her ladies in waiting including Lady Misseldon who blinded by Sir Bryan’s extravagant gift, consents to become his mistress despite her engagement to Sir Robert Tavistock. Jane Seymour then exhibits her role as peacemaker when she appoints Lady Rochford as her principal lady in waiting. Lady Rochford was shunned after her husband, George Boleyn along with his sister Anne Boleyn, were executed with charges of incest and treason. Jane Seymour then begins her cause to restore the King’s damaged relationship with Lady Mary, but soon learns that the King disapproves even its discussion
Mr. Robert Aske, a lawyer and a devout Catholic, agrees to hear the grievances of the locals who are against the dissolution of the monasteries. Their requests, however, go beyond the restoration of the monasteries for they too desire the termination of heretics including Thomas Cromwell. To add to the injustice done to them, they were imposed new taxes tied to their religious acts. The people call for revolt against the King, one Mr. Aske could not endorse.
Sir Francis Bryan, newly appointed Chief Gentleman of the Privy chamber, arrives at Hunsdon House in Hertfordshire with an inimical request from the King. King Henry VIII would like her daughter by Queen Catherine of Aragon to recognize him as the head of the Church, and for her to recognize that his marriage to her mother is incestuous and unlawful. In addition, Lady Mary is to renounce Rome and to acknowledge her illegitimacy. With this request comes a threat against the young woman’s life. Lady Mary, however, bravely refuses to agree to her father’s terms even if these will regain his favor and more so would result to her being tried for treason. Lady Mary could not find it in herself to agree to such declarations, and consults with Ambassador Chapuys who understands her reluctance. He, however, advises her to sign the documents, but to do a protestation apart, which is secretly forswearing in the presence of witnesses agreement to such declarations. Lady Mary full of integrity still cannot agree to the ambassador’s advice for she finds it hypocritical to do so. She seeks the help of the Holy Roman Emperor, but finds that her mother’s nephew has decided not to interfere with this matter for he is seeking an alliance with the King of England. Faced with the possibility of death and with no one to come to her rescue, Lady Mary with a heavy heart signs the documents. Soon after seeing that Lady Mary has signed the documents, King Henry VIII decides to pay a visit to her estranged daughter’s residence.
Hearing of the King’s reluctance to support Lady Elizabeth, his child by Anne Boleyn claiming his uncertainty of siring the young girl, Jane Seymour instructs Lady Rochford to send a precious necklace to Lady Bryan, the governess caring for Lady Elizabeth. The governess is to use the necklace to buy new clothes for the young girl. Moreover, she expresses her delight in meeting Lady Mary, which leads Lady Rochford to compliment the Queen of her kindness. Jane Seymour believes that it is her duty to promote the interests of women, but because she herself faces obstacles, she is to do her work quietly. Jane Seymour meets with Lady Mary, brings her a costly gift and expresses her desire of seeing her reconciled with King Henry VIII. The King resumes financial support for Lady Mary, and urges her to regard him once again as father. Although overjoyed with the reunion of father and daughter, Jane Seymour learns soon after that the King is disappointed with her for not bearing child.
Cardinal von Waldburg receives Father Pole at the Castle of Gandolpho, the Pope’s Summer Residence in Italy. Father Pole, a student at a seminary in Italy, left England soon after it was made clear that King Henry VIII plans to break his obedience to the Holy See. Knowledge that Father Pole is the son of Lady Salisbury, the governess of Lady Mary when she was still a child, is the reason why Cardinal von Waldburg has spoken to the young priest. He desires the mending of the relationship between the Holy See and the King of England, and learning that the new Queen leans in favor of the Catholic Church, he instructs Father Pole to return to England to influence events there. Little did they know that the faithful in Northern England has already put things in motion. Mr. Aske although against an uprising, after some rumination, changes his mind and leads the Pilgrimage of Grace in protest to the injustices against Roman Catholics brought about by Sir Thomas Cromwell. Meanwhile, King Henry VIII pleased with Sir Cromwell’s work appoints him Lord Privy Seal.
Before long, Sir Cromwell faces a rebellion clearly brought about by the Church reforms that resulted in the suppression of the Roman Catholics. Sir Cromwell finds himself in disfavor with the King for failing to prevent the uprising of thousands of the King’s constituents. Furthermore, the King is displeased at having made believe that his Church Reforms received little opposition. King Henry VIII sends a decree denouncing the revolt and orders the rebels to return to their homes. Sir Thomas Cromwell then takes it upon himself to write to the gentry of Yorkshire to remind them of their duty to suppress the traitors. He also disapproves of Chancellor Rich’s suggestion to suspend the work of the church commissioners for he believes that continuing the reformation of the church is a way to beat the rebellion. The rebellion, however, has grown stronger with the taking of Lincoln and the imminent conquering of York. The uprising reminds King Henry VIII of the Cornish Rebellion, and the panic that overcome his mother as they sought refuge at the Tower of London. The King instructs the Duke of Suffolk to assemble and lead an army to fight and punish the rebels. Unbeknownst to the King, Charles Brandon is in favor of the rebels demand to behead Sir Cromwell, and finds his leading the army a great opportunity to fulfill the rebel’s wish even though his army is meant to prevent the rebels from fulfilling this goal. King Henry VIII, however, despite the relapse of an old injury on his leg vows to make a fearful example of the rebels, and promises their destruction and their family if Charles Brandon’s army fails to pacify the revolt. Moreover, King Henry VIII declares his intention to destroy Sir Thomas Cromwell as well.
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Keep on writing, great job!
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