The Tudors Episode Summary Episode 10 Season 2: On May 18, 1536, Anne Boleyn receives word from the Constable, Master Kingston, that King Henry VIII has decreed Anne to suffer death at nine o’clock of that day by decapitation instead of by burning, and has acceded to her request to use the services of the Executioner of Calais. Anne Boleyn acquiesces to the King’s wishes and accepts her unfortunate fate with contentment.Continue reading...
As per Anne Boleyn’s request, Archbishop Cranmer arrives to hear her last confession and to administer Holy Communion. He is relieved to hear that the deposed Queen has become at peace with her impending execution, but regrets having to inform her that her marriage to the King has been declared null and void. The illegitimacy of her marriage was based on her forbidden degree of affinity to another woman with whom the King had carnal relations. Most hurtful is the knowledge that Princess Elizabeth is to be declared a bastard. Archbishop Cranmer vows to use his power to protect and support Princess Elizabeth ensuring that she does not fall out of favor with the King. Anne makes her confession and requests for the Constable to remain and hear it too. She vows innocence and fidelity towards her husband. Anne’s only sin against her husband, King Henry VIII, is her occasional thoughts of jealousy. Moreover, she confesses the desire to offer her life for those unjustly condemned because of her. She willingly accepts her death sentence as it pleases the King, but declares of leading an endless life in peace. Archbishop Cranmer asks Master Kingston to report Anne Boleyn’s true and last confession for the world to know. Her acquiescence falters as soon as the Constable leaves. Anne pleadingly asks Archbishop Cranmer the possibility of an intervention from the evangelical bishops they put in place. Anne asks for forgiveness after realizing the futility of such a request.
Meanwhile, King Henry VIII writes a letter to Holy Roman Emperor Charles V offering an olive branch and proposes working together to increase trade between their realms. Moreover, he recommends joining forces against the King of France and looks forward to the prospect of change. It seems that favor has fallen on Lady Mary Tudor. She looks forward with anticipation the death of Anne Boleyn. She learns from Ambassador Chapuys that Anne’s sentence came from the notion that her child, Princess Elizabeth, may not have been King Henry VIII’s daughter. Meanwhile, Jane Seymour, the new woman whom the King plans to marry is admirable. Ambassador Chapuys is pleased with Jane Seymour not only because of her Roman Catholic faith, but also because of her desire to restore Lady Mary to the succession. Lady Mary takes comfort in this and in the fact that Princess Elizabeth will be declared a bastard, suffering the same scorn she once received. In fact, Cromwell has instructed Lady Margaret Bryan, her governess, to keep her out-of-sight of the King. Moreover, the King ruthlessly orders to use the money from the young princess’ household for her mother’s imprisonment.
Anne Boleyn prepares for her execution, but learns from Master Kingston that the Executioner of Calais has not yet arrived. King Henry VIII becomes livid at hearing the delay of the execution of his wife. He orders Thomas Cromwell with threat of death to fetch another axman despite his promise to accede to his wife’s last request, but quickly changes his mind and angrily declares to the earshot of many to postpone his wife’s execution. Anne is all dressed and ready for her death, but Master Kingston informs her that the executioner has yet to arrive thus postponing her death another day. She, however, has already prepared herself to die, and pleads the Constable to end her terrifying anticipation. Regrettably, King Henry VIII has expressed publicly his desire to postpone her execution. Anne loses her resolve and finds herself pleading for her life with futile thoughts of receiving the King’s mercy. Her pleas are futile for the King is not even at court to hear it. King Henry VIII has gone to Wulfhall to see Lady Jane Seymour and more so to inform her father of his intention to marry her. He makes his intention sound altruistic with mention of his Privy Council’s advice to marry and produce a legitimate heir. Having received Sir John’s approval, King Henry VIII invites the guests to Hampton Court to witness his betrothal to Lady Jane Seymour. Lady Jane Seymour speaks to King Henry VIII her desire to reinstate Lady Mary Tudor as his heir apparent. Henry laughs at her wish seeing her a fool to ask for the advancement of his child instead of their own children, but Lady Jane seeks only the tranquility of the King and his kingdom.
Lord Suffolk arrives at the prison cell of Sir Thomas Boleyn to inform him of his release by order of the King. He is banished from court along with all his official posts, titles, and privileges. Thomas Boleyn shows only concern for the preservation of his earldom angering Lord Suffolk at the lack of sympathy for his disgraced children who did nothing but to further the cause of their father. Thomas Boleyn sees his daughter wave at her as he leaves the Tower of London, but ignores her.
The Executioner of Calais arrives at last. He gives special instructions to Master Kingston to ensure a clean and merciful execution. On May 19, 1536, Master Kingston fetches Anne Boleyn from her prison cell and finds her calm, ready, and prepared to meet her death. He gives her a pouch containing twenty pounds to pay for the headsman and to give alms to the poor. She walks to the place of execution where both an angry and sympathetic crowd receives her. She walks up the steps of the platform where the executioner awaits, but asks Master Kingston to give her time to speak her mind before ordering the fatal blow. Anne Boleyn addresses the crowd expressing her submission to the will of the King through the acceptance of death. She declares that her death shall atone for her transgressions against King Henry VIII. She asks the crowd to pray for the King, their Lord, whom she finds to be one of the best princes on the face of the Earth. Anne Boleyn ends her speech with a declaration of her submission to death with good will and with humility asks pardon from the world. Master Kingston signals to the executioner who kneels before Anne to ask for her forgiveness. Anne gladly forgives him and hands his payment. Before kneeling to her death, she asks the people to pray for her. Anne kneels and prays to Jesus Christ to receive her soul; the crowd including Lord Suffolk kneels with her. The executioner hides the sword from Anne then yells for a boy to fetch his sword. Anne Boleyn looks at the boy addressed and with a swift blow dies.
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Wonderful!
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