Episode 10 Season 2 – The Tudors Episode Summary 2.10

The Tudors Episode 10 Season 2 Synopsis: Anne Boleyn prepares for her death and learns that the execution has been postponed.  She loses her resolve at the thought of waiting another day for her death, but finds it again at the hour of death.  Meanwhile, King Henry VIII announces his intention to marry Lady Jane Seymour.

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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Episode 7 Season 2 – The Tudors Episode Summary 2.7

The Tudors Episode 7 Season 2 Synopsis: Anne Boleyn follows the advice of her brother and hides her sorrow with merrymaking delighting King Henry VIII enough to return to her bedchamber.  Moreover, Queen Catherine of Aragon finally succumbs to death filling Anne with delight.  Regrettably, King Henry has set sights on Lady Jane Seymour when he and Lord Suffolk spent a night at the Seymour’s residence at Wulfhall.  Meanwhile, Thomas Cromwell begins the suppression and the ransacking of religious houses, actions that even Anne Boleyn disapproves.

Episode Summary: Anne Boleyn awakes from a terrible nightmare where she is caged and burned to death by a fire lit by Lady Mary Tudor.  She unburdens to Sir George Boleyn his frightful nightmare and her belief that her safety lies in the death of Mary and Catherine of Aragon.  Anne jokes about ordering their deaths the next time her husband the King goes abroad and she is left Regent.  His sister’s thoughts and behavior disturb George.  He firmly tells her to act like the Queen of England just as Catherine of Aragon never failed to lose her composure.  Much to her dismay, George advises her to act more like Catherine.Continue reading...

Anne asks Henry to persuade King Francis to relent to his wish for Elizabeth to marry his son.  Henry, however, finds the refusal an insult.  He believes that an alliance with the Emperor might be suitable.  It annoys Anne to have Catherine’s nephew, as their ally for such an alliance will favor the deposed Queen.  Henry insists that the goal of the alliance is to further the interests of England.  Later, Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, along with Thomas Cromwell and Lord Rochford presents the Valor of Ecclesiasticus to King Henry VIII.  It contains the results of the Commissioner’s investigations into the wealth and practices of all religious houses in England.  It accounts the treasures, the wealth, and the vast private lands of the monasteries and other religious establishments.  Moreover, it also reports the wrongdoings of the religious institutions.  Lord Rochford intimates usurping the possessions of the religious establishments to supply the depleting treasury of the English Crown.

Thomas Cranmer and his wife receive Thomas Cromwell in their house as their guest.  They speak of the suppression of religious houses and the abolition of the holy days that fall during the law terms and the harvest.  The latter is a move to improve the economy and to help impoverished workers who do not earn wages due to the holy days.  Thomas Cranmer adds that the priests will be required to preach the Supremacy, while parents and employers will be required to teach their children and servants prayers in English instead of Latin.  All clerics are also ordered to attack the superstitious cult surrounding images and relics, and will be instructed to spend the money on the less fortunate instead.  His wife Katharina, however, believes that their efforts are lacking the intensity staunch reformers expect.  This criticism causes both Cranmer and Cromwell to ridicule her legal status, after all Cranmer only smuggled her in a wooden box from Germany, a box he uses to transport her up to this day.  Katharina takes offense at their derision and demands equal respect for her ideas notwithstanding her gender.  She adds her opinion that the Catholic Church’ ways and teachings are evil, which must be eradicated without pity.  Cromwell agrees to this and adds that the Catholic Church is irredeemable.

Father Abbot receives suppression orders from Mr. Cromwell sanctioned by King Henry VIII.  John Leland, the King’s librarian, soon arrives at the priory unannounced.  King Henry had instructed him to visit the libraries of the religious houses that are to be suppressed in order to seize their works and move them in the Royal libraries.  Mr. Leland is also to find texts that emphasize the Royal Supremacy and the new monarchy, but in Father Abbot’s anger, he asserts that nothing of the sort can be found in his priory.  Soon, a crew of Huguenots arrives at the priory and ransacks it, stripping it of the religious images and plundering it of food.  News of the suppression of the religious houses and the seizure of their wealth reaches Anne Boleyn.  She summons Thomas Cromwell and questions the policy that subjugated all religious houses including those that received good reviews from the Church Commissioners.  She questions the unlawful seizure of wealth in order to replenish the King’s treasury unaware that it was her father’s recommendation to do so.  Anne accuses Cromwell of acting on his own and threatens him with death.

Lord Rochfort, afraid of King Henry’s growing disapproval of Anne Boleyn, orders his son to speak to Anne.  Lord George Boleyn finds that she has taken his advice and has masked her sorrow with superficial merrymaking.  King Henry arrives causing everyone to fall silent, but he orders Mark Smeaton to play the Volta.  He and Anne dance zealously rekindling the passion they once had for each other.  King Henry and Anne Boleyn have rough sexual intercourse once again after a long period of absence satisfying the King to the fullest.  Anne tells Henry her desire to conceive a son, a yearning that will not materialize as long as Catherine and Mary Tudor are alive.  She learns the next day that she remains in the King’s disfavor for he had left to go hunting with the Duke of Suffolk without a word to her.  She drowns her sorrows with Mark’s music, but she remains unhappy with the thought of finding happiness only in bearing a son.  One of the ladies in waiting finds them together and witnesses her kissing the fiddler on the cheek.  Meanwhile, King Henry successfully finishes his kill, but he refuses to return home.  The Duke of Suffolk suggests they spend the night at Wulfhall, the house of Sir John Seymour and his family.  Sir John and Lord Suffolk joyfully recall the memories of their great battles, but King Henry remains somber.  The appearance of Sir John’s daughter, Lady Jane Seymour ends his morose disposition for she captivated the King.

Queen Catherine of Aragon has fallen very ill.  Fortunately, Lady Elizabeth Darrell’s loyalty to the Queen is exceeding that she stays with her and attends to her needs despite having to do work of lowly servants.  However, Queen Catherine’s greater sorrow lies in the forbiddance to see her daughter, Lady Mary Tudor.  She has not seen her for more than four years.  Queen Catherine takes comfort in the Curia’s Judgment declaring her marriage to King Henry VIII lawful and legitimate, which she believes the eternal truth that no man can ever deny.  In reality, the King of England’s Great Matter, remains in deliberation at Vatican next only to the discussion of commissioning Michelangelo to paint the Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel.  Pope Paul III, however, continues to believe that King Henry VIII will realize the errors in his ways and will once again seek the help of the Church.  Meanwhile, Queen Catherine lies in agony on her bed, but finds strength and happiness at the sight of her daughter.  She is unaware that her presence is nothing but a delusion.  A priest blesses Queen Catherine on her deathbed as mournful servants surround her bearing witness to her wishes.  She writes a letter to her husband, King Henry VIII, and sends her undying love and loyalty to him despite his cruelty towards her.  Queen Catherine of Aragon forgives him for all the wrongs he has done to her and asks God to forgive him as well.  Moreover, she asks that he become a good father to their daughter, Lady Mary Tudor.  Lastly, she declares that she desires him above all things.  She, with the help of Lady Elizabeth Darrell, signs her letter.  Queen Catherine of Aragon finally succumbs to death.  Lady Mary Tudor receives the things her late mother left her including the Curia’s Judgment; she mourns the death of her mother.  King Henry VIII receives her letter and grieves the death of the loving wife he cast away.  Conversely, Anne Boleyn receives the news of Catherine’s death with immense delight.  She is now, without question, the Queen of England.  Sir Thomas Wyatt, who has fallen in love with Lady Elizabeth Darrell, pays a visit to The More and finds it dark and seemingly abandoned.  He also finds there the corpse of Lady Elizabeth hanging from the ceiling.  The poor, loyal servant to the late Queen has taken her life.

The King and Queen of England hold festivities at court.  All are happy but Jane Parker, Lady Rochford, whom Sir George Boleyn abandons for Mark Smeaton.  Mark suggests a tryst with Sir George that evening, but Sir George refuses.  The fiddler learns that Sir George has not informed his wife of their relationship arousing anger in him for he believes Sir George has enough authority to do as he pleases such that his homosexuality will never be an issue.  Meanwhile, King Henry asks Sir John Seymour to have Lady Jane Seymour become one of Anne’s ladies in waiting.  Sir John Seymour graciously accepts the offer.  The quarrel between Anne and Cromwell reaches Lord Rochford, who reproaches her daughter for arguing with a man close to the King, but Anne argues that she is closest to the King for she is his wife.  Lord Rochford reminds her of her rise to the throne insinuating her debt of gratitude to him, but Anne is fully aware that considerable credit for her success is due to her own efforts.  Anne Boleyn then bursts out laughing troubling her father, but Anne assures her that there is nothing to worry about for Catherine is dead and she is again with child.  The news indeed delights Lord Rochford.

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Episode 6 Season 2 – The Tudors Episode Summary 2.6

The Tudors Episode 6 Season 2 Synopsis: King Henry VIII agrees to Anne Boleyn’s proposal to quell questions about their daughter’s legitimacy with her betrothal to King Francis’ youngest son.  King Francis sends the Admiral of France to convey his message about the proposition.  Meanwhile, Thomas Cromwell has devised new ways to promote the new monarchy and the reformation.

Episode Summary: Pope Paul III addresses the crowd in Vatican City sending a message to the English people condemning the murder of Sir Thomas More and Cardinal Fisher.  However, the persecution of the faithful of the Holy Roman Catholic Church continues in England.  Thomas Cromwell reports that the Commissioners’ survey of religious houses found the monks depraved, licentious, and corrupt beyond reformation.  He recommends the production of plays that promote King Henry VIII’s new monarchy and defame the Bishop of Rome.  King Henry VIII leaves the production of the plays to Mr. Cromwell.Continue reading...

Thomas Cromwell along with Archbishop Thomas Cranmer inform known reformation supporter Sir George Boleyn of the appointment of Dr. Simon Heyes as the new Dean at Canterbury Cathedral.  Dr. Heyes detests the cult and religious images.  He has ordered the removal of the religious images and the introduction of the new learning.  Mr. Cromwell seeks Sir George Boleyn’s help in putting reformers in vital positions of responsibility in the Church.  He believes that the martyrdoms of Cardinal Fisher and Sir Thomas More have gained support from the opposition.  To counter opposition, Mr. Cromwell has sent word that the people of England are bound by duty to report anyone criticizing the King, his marriage, or the reforms.  Moreover, he has found a tool they can use to promote their ideas.  Mr. Cromwell shows them a printing press that publishes the tracts praising King Henry VIII, his new monarchy, and the reformation.  The pamphlets also explain the necessity of the reformation and its benefits to all.  Later, the first of the plays are performed publicly with the King and the Queen in the audience.  It made a satire of Pope Paul III and Cardinal Campeggio delighting Lord Rochford.  He praises Mr. Cromwell for his ingenuity, but is quick to remind him of his debt of gratitude toward the Boleyns for they facilitated his rise to power.

Anne Boleyn brings up to her husband the lingering contention of their daughter’s legitimacy.  She proposes betrothing Elizabeth to the youngest son of King Francis, Charles the Duke of Angouleme, in order to suppress questions about her legitimacy.  Henry’s agreement to her proposal delights Anne, but his refusal to sleep with her gives her sadness. The guilt of having beheaded Sir Thomas More consumes Henry’s thoughts.  He, nevertheless, remembers to follow through with his promise to Anne and speaks to the French ambassador to relay his request to King Francis.  The King of France agrees to the betrothal and sends the Admiral of France to arrange the marriage.  King Henry orders Charles Brandon, the Duke of Suffolk, to receive and entertain the Admiral of France.  The assignment upsets Anne Boleyn, who distrusts the Duke of Suffolk.  She would have preferred the task to fall upon her father, Lord Rochford.  There is basis for her distrust for the Duke of Suffolk remains loyal to Queen Catherine.  He learns from Ambassador Chapuys that Queen Catherine of Aragon has become unwell and that he fears for the life of Lady Mary Tudor.  The Lady Mary, however, despite her dethronement shows kindness to her half-sister, Elizabeth, whom she found left alone and in tears.

Sir Thomas Boleyn demands a dowry of three hundred pounds from Lord Morley before allowing his son, Sir George Boleyn to marry Jane Parker.  Lord Morley, unable to fulfill the demand, reaches out to his distant cousin King Henry VIII, who in his generosity agreed to make up for the difference.  Jane Parker arrives at her wedding, but reconsiders and refuses to push through with the marriage.  Lord Morley, however, is determined to marry her into a great family leaving Jane Parker no choice but to concede.  Sir George Boleyn is not keen on the marriage as well and makes a farce of the ceremony much to his father’s chagrin.  They, nonetheless, proceed with the marriage.  At the reception, Sir George Boleyn spends more time with Mark Smeaton than his bride and shows no respect towards her.  His disrespect continues when he arrives at her bedchamber to consummate the marriage.  He shows her no tenderness and forces himself on her.  Later, he visits Anne Boleyn.  She confides to him her husband’s infidelity and her belief that Henry is keeping a harem.  Moreover, she speaks of the prophecy of the burning of a Queen of England.  She has come to believe that the prophecy speaks of her fate.  Sir George affectionately comforts her distressed sister, which Lady Margaret Sheldon maliciously witnesses.

William Brereton is convinced that Anne Boleyn is a witch who has seduced the King.  He claims to have proof of it from the testimony of Anne’s bedchamber maid who reports her deformities.  He shares his belief and his determination to kill Anne to Ambassador Chapuys.  He later imagines the murder of Anne Boleyn by his hand where he successfully attacks her with a knife leaving her bleeding on the floor, but Anne resurrects from the dead.  Meanwhile, King Henry VIII speaks with Ambassador Chapuys to inform him of the knowledge of his disapproval after Cromwell intercepted some of his letters.  King Henry claims that he remains a humanist just like Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas More.  Moreover, he promises to Ambassador Chapuys his determination to subject his kingdom in a great reformation.

Philippe Chabot de Brion, Admiral of France, arrives at the residence of the Duke of Suffolk bringing with him his secretary Monsieur Alfonse Gontier and his niece Mademoiselle Germaine.  The Duchess of Suffolk, Catherine Willoughby, immediately senses danger from Mademoiselle Germaine.  Mademoiselle Germaine need only show her attraction to the Duke of Suffolk for him to fall for her.  Charles Brandon becomes unfaithful to Catherine Willoughby for the first time, and his wife soon learns of his infidelity.  Charles admits to his transgression and apologizes to his wife with a contrite heart promising not to become disloyal again afraid of losing her love.  The French envoy along with his entourage has been staying at the home of the Duke of Suffolk for two weeks, but he has not yet sent Anne a message of goodwill.  He has also refused to attend the banquet and tennis match Queen Anne prepared in his honor.  Moreover, he has befriended the staunch supporter of Queen Catherine, Ambassador Chapuys.  Anne Boleyn becomes upset at the Admiral’s disrespect towards her and confides her ire to the carefree fiddler, Mark Smeaton.  Both the Admiral and Anne show their mutual dislike of each other at the dinner King Henry prepared in his honor.  The message he brings will further Anne’s aversion towards him.  The French Admiral informs King Henry VIII of King Francis’ refusal to betroth his son to a bride whose legitimacy is not recognized by the Pope, the Holy Catholic Church, or the Emperor.  King Francis, however, proposes the betrothal of the Duke of Angouleme to his legitimate daughter, Lady Mary Tudor.  If King Henry rejects the match, King Francis will marry his son to the Emperor’s daughter, leaving England without an ally.  King Henry VIII is contemplating the message of the French Admiral when Anne Boleyn arrives to nag him about his mistresses.  She continues to badger him until Henry has no more and declares their daughter a bastard and her not his wife.  He later confides his troubles to his friend, Charles Brandon, whom he envies for having a happy marriage.  Henry regrets the death of Sir Thomas More and blames his demise to Anne Boleyn.  He claims that Anne dissuaded him from saving Sir Thomas More.

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Episode 5 Season 2 – The Tudors Episode Summary 2.5

Synopsis: Sir Thomas More continues to reject the oath despite his family’s pleas for he firmly believes that swearing it will subject his soul to eternal damnation.  Bishop Fisher too refuses to take the oath.  He is found guilty and is sentenced to death.  Anne Boleyn flaunts his pregnancy only to miscarry disappointing the King and her father who fears for their status with the King.  She begins to become paranoid, fearing that the King will change his mind about the Act of Succession and make Lady Mary the Queen of England.

Episode Summaries: Archbishop Thomas Cranmer apprises King Henry VIII the great success of having his subjects swear the oath.  Regrettably, neither Bishop Fisher nor Sir Thomas More has agreed to swear the oath.  He, however, informs King Henry that Sir Thomas has no misgivings about the Act of Succession.  Nevertheless, King Henry VIII insists that everyone must swear to all the contents of the oath most especially Bishop Fisher and Sir Thomas for allowing those two reputable men to swear only to parts of it will set a precedent for others to follow.Continue reading...

Thomas Cromwell hands King Henry a letter from Dame Alice More, the wife of Sir Thomas, a letter that annoys King Henry that he does not bother to read it.  Cromwell apprises him of its contents instead.  The woman pleads mercy in behalf of her husband who seeks no harm, but acts only on his conscience.  King Henry VIII would hear nothing of it for he believes Sir Thomas, who had sworn to live privately and to speak nothing of his great matter, has broken his promise.  He found him writing about his great matter, visiting the former Queen, and raising support for Catherine of Aragon.  It is, therefore, his belief that Sir Thomas must accept the consequences of his actions.

Dame Alice along with her daughter Margaret visits Sir Thomas in his prison cell to beg him to swear the oath.  She informs her husband that his entire family has sworn the oath and pleads him to do so for his family who will face destitution because of his refusal for the penalty is death and forfeiture of his property to the Crown.  Sir Thomas remains hopeful that King Henry will keep his promise that he will not force him to act against his conscience and that Sir Thomas must look first unto God and only after unto the King.  Sir Thomas begs his wife not to be angry with him for his stubbornness and learns that she is not, but she is frightened for her husband.  There is reason for her fright.  Bishop Fisher sends John, his servant, to ask Sir Thomas if he contemplates swearing the oath.  The servant also informs Sir Thomas that the bishop despite his frailty remains unbroken.  As to the inquiry, Sir Thomas answers with certainty that he will never take the oath for doing so will subject his soul to eternal damnation.  Cromwell pays Bishop Fisher a visit to deliver him news that the Pope has made him a cardinal and that Parliament decreed that the malicious denial of the King’s supremacy is treason, which is punishable by death.  Cromwell asks Bishop Fisher one last time if he will swear the oath and accept the King as the Supreme Head of the Church.  Bishop Fisher continues to reject the oath.  Cromwell then produces an intercepted letter from Cardinal Fisher to the Emperor whose contents ask the Emperor to invade England and asks him to restore Catherine of Aragon as Queen of England.  Cardinal Fisher neither denies nor concurs his authorship of the treacherous letter.  News of his impending, disconsolate fate reaches Catherine of Aragon.  Ambassador Chapuys is saddened to see the once powerful Queen unwell.  He learns that the Earl of Wiltshire, Sir Thomas Boleyn, visited her and threatened her life after she refused to take the oath.

Queen Anne Boleyn is again with child and parades her pregnancy around the court very pleased with herself.  Unfortunately, she miscarries disappointing the King once again and driving her into depression.  Her father, Sir Thomas Boleyn, visits her and offers no consolation.  In fact, he blames her for the miscarriage.  He warns that they must all be careful not to lose the King’s love.  True enough, King Henry VIII comes across William Webbe and his beautiful wife Bess as they are passing through the forest.  Bess catches the King’s interest and she willingly leaves her husband to lay with the King.  News of Anne Boleyn’s miscarriage and the King’s infidelity reaches the Pope, delighting him.  Cardinal Campeggio, however, is not amused for he fears for Catherine of Aragon, Lady Mary, and Cardinal Fisher.  The Pope can only offer prayers and adds to envy Cardinal Fisher for the opportunity to die for Christ.

The troubles of the Boleyns grow as Mary Boleyn arrives at court carrying the child of a soldier in Calais, William Stafford.  Her news brings ire to both father and sister for her decision to marry a man without standing and fortune.  Sir Thomas Boleyn disowns Mary despite her argument of being fortunate for finding an honest man for a husband in spite of her reputation as the great prostitute.  Mary begs her sister to have mercy on her.  Although Anne feels pity for Mary, she decides to banish her sister and her husband from court.

Cromwell, recently appointed vice-regent in spiritual matters, obeys the King’s order to obtain Sir Thomas More’s reasons for rejecting the oath.  Sir Thomas continues to refuse to state his reasons and to reject the oath despite the knowledge of having to pay the ultimate price.  Margaret More comes to court to petition Mr. Secretary Cromwell in behalf of her family.  The Mores have become impoverished following Sir Thomas More’s imprisonment.  Ambassador Chapuys, who has great respect for the Mores, finds sympathy for the injustice the family received.  He adds that he pities England for there the good suffers and the wicked prospers.  This may not be for so long.  Anne Boleyn appears to be out of sorts following her miscarriage.  She begins to show signs of paranoia believing that Lady Mary and Catherine of Aragon remain impending threats to her throne.  Her brother, Sir George Boleyn, appeases Anne by reminding her that the Act of Succession ensures that Elizabeth will be the heir to the throne.  Anne, however, argues that the oath the King forced everyone to take gives him absolute power allowing him to do whatever he pleases including repealing the Act of Succession.  It is for this reason that she believes that the King can still crown Mary the Queen of England instead of her daughter, Elizabeth.

Sir Thomas learns from John that Cardinal Fisher was found guilty.  Cardinal Fisher will be punished by death the next day.  Sir Thomas knows that he will suffer the same fate soon after.  Although death does bring fear, both men look forward to meeting each other in heaven.  Cardinal Fisher steps up the stage where he will be beheaded.  He addresses the crowd to ask them to love and obey the King whom he finds good in nature despite the punishment he has ordered for him.  He informs them that his condemnation to death is due to his determination to uphold the honor of God and the Holy See.  He, however, confesses to be frightened of death and asks the crowd to help him have courage to face it.  The crowd blesses Cardinal Fisher as he lays his head on the chopping block and waits for the executioner to strike.  He is beheaded with one blow of an axe.  Cardinal Campeggio relays the news to the Pope, who seems to be more interested to peak at Michelangelo’s depiction of The Last Judgment than to hear of Cardinal Fisher’s beheading.  Meanwhile, Margaret visits her father again only to find his situation worse than before.  Sir Thomas asserts not to fear death, but confesses to fear the torture that will be used upon him to force him to swear the oath.  His fear stems from his doubt in his courage to endure the physical suffering.  Margaret begs her father to take the oath in order to save his body, but Sir Thomas firmly believes that saving his flesh will be at the expense of his soul even though none of his family believes it.  Little did they know that King Henry VIII fears having to execute Sir Thomas More for his conscience tells him not to do so.  He continues to love Sir Thomas even though he hates him for having the will of spirit to deny him of the acceptance he seeks.  Cromwell sends Sir Richard Rich to collect the books and papers from Sir Thomas’ cell in order to deprive him the little luxury he has.  Sir Richard Rich poses a hypothetical question to Sir Thomas asking him if he will swear an oath to a bill that names Sir Richard Rich the King of England.  Sir Thomas quickly answers yes, but asks Sir Richard if he would swear an oath to a bill that declares that God was not God.  Sir Richard quickly answers no and adds that no such bill can be passed for Parliament has no competence to decide on that matter.  Following the same reason, Sir Thomas argues that Parliament has no authority to make the King supreme head of the Church.

Sir Thomas More arrives at Westminster for his arraignment on charges of high treason.  Sir Thomas denies maliciously opposing the King’s marriage to Anne Boleyn and maliciously rejecting the Act of Supremacy for he argues that he had kept silent on both matters.  The commission argues that his silence can be construed as an action to which he counters that his silence precludes the charges laid upon him for he who is silent is taken to agree.  The commission accuses him of conspiring with Cardinal Fisher in prison, but he refutes their accusation without denying corresponding with Cardinal Fisher through his servant.  Finding no evidence to support the accusation of conspiring with a known and punished traitor, the commission returns to Sir Thomas’ claim of silence towards the Act of Supremacy and calls Sir Richard Rich as their witness.  Sir Thomas comes to a realization of the true motive of Sir Richard’s last visit.  Sir Richard relays his conversation with Sir Thomas and quotes him at his statement that Parliament cannot make the King supreme head of the Church.  His statement is found a malicious denial of the King’s authority.  With Sir Richard Rich’s testimony, the commission finds Sir Thomas More guilty of high treason.  Sir Thomas asks the court to allow him to speak before the commission passes judgment, as was the custom when he was practicing law.  The commission allows him to do so and Sir Thomas declares that his indictment is grounded upon an act of Parliament that is directly repugnant to the laws of God and His Holy Church.  Sir Thomas More at last breaks his silence on the great matters and declares that no temporal prince may presume the governance of the Church for it belongs by right to the See of Rome to St. Peter and his successors as per God’s order when He was on Earth.  He adds that the realm cannot make any law that contradicts the general laws of Christ’s universal Catholic Church.  The commission continues to find his assertions malicious and Sir Thomas More continues to deny the maliciousness of his words.  He merely is stating his opinion and even asks God that He preserves and defends the King’s Majesty.  He also wishes that the King would find good counsel.  The commission sentences Sir Thomas More with a torturous and shameful death.  He will be drawn in a hurdle from London to Tyburn where he will be hanged until he is half-dead after which he will be beheaded.  His bowels will then be extracted and burned before his body that will later be quartered.  The crowd clamor as Sir Thomas More is escorted out of Westminster, his children especially Margaret fights through the crowd and the guards to hug her father one last time.  Cromwell upon the urging of King Henry VIII informs him that Sir Thomas More will be executed tomorrow, July 6 at ten in the morning.  It is news that brings the King despair, a stark contrast to the Boleyns who seem to delight at the verdict.  King Henry VIII commutes the sentence to a beheading.  Sir Thomas More addresses the large crowd that has come to attend his execution.  He asks that they bear witness to his death in and for the faith of the Holy Catholic Church.  He begs them to pray for the King and to tell him that he died his good servant, but God’s first.  The crowd is so moved that even his executioner asks Sir Thomas his blessing.  Sir Thomas More says his last prayer and lays his head on the chopping block, opens his eyes and stretches his arms.  The axe soon after strikes his head cutting it from his body.  King Henry VIII wails in agony at having ordered the execution of his dear friend, mentor, and loyal servant, Sir Thomas More.

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Episode 4 Season 2 – The Tudors Episode Summary 2.4

Synopsis: King Henry VIII commands Sir Thomas Cromwell to present a bill to the House of Parliament that bestows the succession to his children with Anne Boleyn and to no one else.  Moreover, he mandates all subjects to take the oath that accepts the succession and that recognizes him as the supreme head of the Church of England.  High treason, imprisonment, and forfeiture of goods are the punishment to any man who refuses to take the oath.  Meanwhile, Anne Boleyn learns that King Henry VIII has taken up Lady Eleanor as his mistress.  She sets in motion a plan that will eliminate Lady Eleanor or anyone who poses a danger to her.

Episode Summary: The daughter of Anne Boleyn is baptized as Elizabeth, the Princess of England.  King Henry VIII commands Thomas Cromwell to put forth a bill to Parliament that will state that the line of succession is now firmly vested in his children with Anne Boleyn and no one else.  The bill is in response to the Pope’s declaration that all children born out of Anne Boleyn are illegitimate.  Moreover, King Henry would soon admonish those who still question the validity of his marriage to Anne Boleyn.Continue reading...

Sir Thomas More receives an unexpected visit from Bishop Tunstall in the pretense of his concern for his welfare.  He learns soon enough that King Henry VIII sent the bishop to inquire about his absence at the coronation of Anne Boleyn.  He answers the bishop with the story about Emperor Tiberius, who enacted a law that exacted death for a certain crime except when the offender was a virgin.  Eventually, a virgin was accused of the crime leaving Emperor Tiberius perplexed and unable to proceed until one of his council proposed to deflower the virgin that she can be devoured.  Sir Thomas More likens his situation to the virgin believing that his attendance at the coronation sets a precedent that will oblige him to preach and to write books defending the validity of Anne rising up to become Queen of England.  Sir Thomas declares that he will never be corrupted.  Later, he addresses his family of his inability to support all of them any longer given his significantly reduced income following his retirement from public life.  He orders his children who can manage to live on their own to do so.  Moreover, he presages of worse things to come.

Cromwell speaks with Charles Brandon, the Duke of Suffolk, who is a known sympathizer of the Dowager Princess to inquire of his support for the bill that will vest the succession with the King’s children with Anne Boleyn.  In fact, notwithstanding his disappointment at fathering a daughter instead of the son he expected, the King gives Elizabeth her own establishment at Hatfield where Lady Mary will wait on her among other servants.  The thought of the daughter of the King’s previous wife waiting on her daughter troubles Anne.  Adding to her anxiety is her husband’s lack of lust for her and his perceptible desire for Lady Eleanor.  Her brother confirms that Lady Eleanor Luke is King Henry’s mistress.  Anne orders George to get rid of her.  Sir George Boleyn plants Anne’s jewels in Lady Eleanor’s quarters and accuses her of theft.  In the authority to be believed, he threatens to publicize the accusation despite its falsehood if Lady Eleanor does not leave court to her family.

Ambassador Chapuys visits Lady Mary at the Ludlow Castle in The Welsh Marches and speaks to her about the great disappointment of Anne having given birth to a daughter instead of the son she promised the King.  Lady Mary, who is forbidden to communicate with her mother, Queen Catherine of Aragon, eagerly asks about her.  Regrettably, Ambassador Chapuys is prohibited to speak to her as well.  He, however, heard that the Queen is still strong.  Moreover, she continues to beg the King to allow her to see her daughter.  Lady Mary is hopeful that the King will one day relent due to her belief that her father still loves and cares for her.  She arrives at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire where the governess of Princess Elizabeth, Lady Margaret Bryan informs her that she is to serve as a lady-in-waiting for the new princess.  In the privacy of her austere room, the unperturbed Lady Mary finally breaks down at having severely fallen from grace.  Lady Mary must serve the new daughter of the King who now carries the title and status she once enjoyed.  Her new role destroys her belief that her father still loves and cares for her.  Her father, however, shows some sign that might restore her belief in him.  King Henry VIII, in his journey, drops by to see Princess Elizabeth and although he did not ask for Lady Mary, he did bow to her after sensing her presence from the balcony of the Ludlow Castle.  Anne Boleyn arrives there at another time to pay a visit to her beloved daughter, Elizabeth.  She speaks to Lady Mary about persuading the King to accept her back in court if only she accepts her as Queen.  Lady Mary bravely declares that she recognizes no other queen but her mother.  Moreover, she refers to Anne as the King’s mistress.  Lady Mary falls ill and Queen Catherine of Aragon hears of this prompting her to write to the King pleading for mercy to allow her to nurse her sick child.  Henry, although troubled at the news of her daughter falling ill, rejects Catherine’s request fearing that mother and daughter will conspire against him when brought together.  King Henry argues that Catherine would want her daughter to be Queen above all else.  Moreover, she is capable of waging a war against him just as her mother, Queen Isabella, had the courage to do so in Spain.

Ambassador Chapuys watches with great annoyance King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn as they publicly display their affection for each other.  The incompetent assassin, Brereton, asserts his ability to poison her despite his many failures.  Ambassador Chapuys advises against it for his master, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles I, who is preoccupied with a war against the Turks, will receive the blame for her death.  He does not need England to wage war against him.    Brereton vows to die a martyred death and claims never to surrender information about the assassination.  Ambassador Chapuys doubts Brereton’s resolve when he faces torture for his crime.  He orders him not to pursue his plan.  So it seems that Anne will remain Queen after all especially with Charles Brandon’s decision to vote in favor of bestowing the succession to his children with Anne Boleyn.  It is indeed a happy Christmas to Anne and King Henry, who learns that Anne is with child again.

Cromwell presents to King Henry VIII and his councilors the Act of Succession that nominates the children born of His Majesty and Queen Anne as first rightful heirs to the throne.  The act claims to protect the kingdom from divisions it suffered in the past due to several different titles that contended for the throne.  It warns that any act or writing against the lawful matrimony between the King and Queen Anne and their heirs will be guilty of high treason that is punishable by death and forfeiture of goods to the Crown.   The act mandates all subjects to take an oath genuinely accepting the whole contents and effect of the bill.  The oath, however, also requires acknowledgement of the King’s supremacy in all matters, spiritual and temporal.  Refusal to take the oath will result in treason and imprisonment.  News of the mandate to all subjects of England requiring them to swear an oath that the King is the head of the English church reaches the Pope.  Pope Paul III responds by making the imprisoned Bishop Fisher a cardinal believing that King Henry will hesitate to prosecute and torture a Prince of the Church.  Cromwell pays Bishop Fisher a visit in his prison cell to question his refusal to take the oath.  The bishop asserts that he continues to believe that the King’s marriage to Queen Catherine is still valid and cannot be undone by any man not even Archbishop Cranmer.  Moreover, he rejects the King as the Supreme Head of the Church of England.  He, however, makes a mistake of inquiring about Sir Thomas More, who at that time has been living peacefully.

Anne Boleyn’s new status as Queen does not only favor her and her daughter, but also of her immediate family.  Her brother, Sir George Boleyn, has received several titles since her coronation, as he is now the Master of Buckhounds and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.  There is one title he is not quite keen at flaunting and that is Master of the Bedlam Hospital for the insane.  Sir Thomas Wyatt, another recipient of the good graces of the Queen, derides Sir George for the unflattering title.  Moreover, he finds all of their rise to power ludicrous that he has written a satire about life in court.  Annoyed at the insinuation, Sir George threatens Sir Thomas Wyatt about poking fun at those with authority.  One night, the giggling of Queen Anne’s ladies-in-waiting awakens her.  She finds that her cousin, Lady Madge Sheldon, is the instigator of this giggling as she reads a poem by Sir Thomas Wyatt.  She scolds her cousin for reading trifles and instructs her to read the Tyndale bible instead.

The father of Anne Boleyn, Lord Rochford, now the Earl of Wiltshire, returns from his visit to Paris.  Anne learns that King Francis, despite the wedding gifts he sent to her, still would not recognize her as Queen as long as Catherine of Aragon remains alive.  Sir Thomas Boleyn is not too concerned about the King of France’s refusal to recognize Anne as the new Queen of England especially since she is with child again.  However, he learns that the King has taken up a mistress the last time Anne was pregnant given that she could not copulate with him during her pregnancy fearful that the intercourse will put their unborn child in danger.  Her father informs her that it is natural for a man to find pleasure elsewhere while his wife is with child and it must be expected of kings.  He discloses that the danger to her and to her family is not that the King takes a mistress, but that the King takes the wrong one, somebody whom they cannot control or worse somebody who could control the King.  Sir Thomas Boleyn advises that Anne make the choice for the King.  King Henry learns of the dismissal of Lady Eleanor and asks his wife about it.  Queen Anne asserts that she has evidence that Lady Eleanor stole something precious from her, which is true in essence.  She then presents to the King, her slightly corpulent and unwitting cousin, Lady Sheldon.  Later, she informs Lady Sheldon, Madge as she is fondly called, that the King has become one of her admirers.  Moreover, she gives her the blessing of becoming his mistress.  The request frightens Madge, but Anne is persuasive and honest of her wish.  She confides that she would rather have the King lie with a woman whom she can trust given that she cannot satisfy his needs during her pregnancy.  Anne is feeling indisposed to go riding with her husband that she sadly but willingly sends Madge in her place fully aware of the outcome of her decision.  True enough, King Henry and Madge begin their affair.

Cromwell presents a bill calling for the dissolution of small monastic institutions run by monks who refuse to take the oath.  King Henry VIII signs the bill that not only dissolves the rebellious monasteries, but also transfers their very considerable wealth to his Exchequer.  Cromwell then informs the King of the Pope’s decision to make Bishop Fisher a cardinal, but this news only made the King laugh.  He, however, starts to ask about Sir Thomas More anxious to know if he will take the oath.  Cromwell summons Sir Thomas More to his office and asks him of his opinion regarding the King’s new marriage.  Sir Thomas answers that he has no opinion about it.  Cromwell then asks him about the King’s supremacy over the Church in England to which he confesses to have been unsure about it until he reread King Henry VIII’s Assertio septum Sacramentorum that asserts the divine origin of the papacy stating that the Pope’s supremacy descends directly from the rock of St. Peter.  Cromwell asks Sir Thomas to take the oath, but the man refuses to do so.  He instead asks him to impart his faithfulness, truthfulness, and loyalty to the King.  In addition, Sir Thomas conveys his lack of desire to live in a world where a man’s goodwill is not enough to keep him alive.  Soon after, Sir Thomas More is summoned to take the oath at the Lambeth Palace.  He speaks to his family of the summons and of his imprisonment soon afterwards for they are fully aware of his stand.  Sir Thomas leaves for Lambeth Palace certain that he will never return.  He appears before the council and swears to the validity of the succession, but not to the rest of the contents of the oath.  Archbishop Cranmer calls him the most villainous and traitorous servant of the King and accuses him of bullying the King into writing the Assertio septum Sacramentorum against his conscience.  Sir Thomas denies doing so for he will never persuade anyone to act against his conscience.  Moreover, he states that it is King Henry, who persuaded him of the paramount importance of the papacy.  Sir Thomas denies Archbishop Cranmer the pleasure of learning his reason for rejecting the oath.  He is immediately imprisoned in a cell above Bishop Fisher’s prison cell.

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Episode 2 Season 2 – The Tudors Episode Summary 2.2

Synopsis: King Henry VIII persuaded by his desire to marry Anne Boleyn and unknowingly supported by Mr. Cromwell’s ulterior motive forces the clergy to submit completely to his authority.  Sir Thomas More witnesses the start of the destruction of the Catholic Church in England and prepares for the call of martyrdom.  With the Great Matter soon to be resolved, King Henry VIII begins the process of inculcating Anne Boleyn as his new wife and future Queen of England.

Episode Summary: Cardinal Campeggio addresses the Parliament in Westminster insisting the Church and its faithful’s immunity from secular interference with the argument that God ordained it.  Moreover, he intimates the violence done to him and the threat to all those who uphold the sanctity of the Church.Continue reading...

It is Christmas and the court is somber with the absence of Queen Katherine of Aragon and her ladies in waiting.  King Henry VIII and Lady Anne Boleyn, however, are delighted with each other’s company.  Lady Anne presents her gift of Biscayan boar spears to King Henry pleasing him even more.  His disposition turns sour when he receives a goblet from Queen Katherine of Aragon.  King Henry rejects the Queen’s gift and refuses to let her spoil the occasion, but Sir Thomas More continues to provoke him with his gift of a silver crucifix as a reminder of the real cause for celebration.  Moreover, it is a reminder of the kingdom’s conflict with the Church.  Henry welcomes the sight of Charles Brandon only to hear a hint of disapproval for his decision to marry Anne.  Charles relays the rumors he heard about Anne and her former lover, Thomas Wyatt, rumors Henry is aware of and Anne denies.  It was an unwelcome suggestion that Henry vehemently rejects.  Henry speaks to Anne of his meeting with the French ambassador with the intent to have the ambassador draw up a new treaty of alliance with France in order to keep the threat from the Emperor at bay.  Moreover, Henry desires to present Anne formally to King Francis as his future wife and Queen of England.  She returns to her quarters with exciting news to Nan, her lady in waiting, only to find a threat waiting for her.  Without Nan’s knowledge, an intruder had left an ominous warning of violence towards Anne.

Mr. Cranmer learns from Mr. Cromwell that he has gained favor from the King.  In fact, the King had just appointed Mr. Cranmer as the Majesty’s special envoy to the Emperor.  This new appointment, however, worries Mr. Cranmer than delights him for he begins to wonder the reason for his good fortune.  He learns that his understanding of the Great Matter is what won him the King’s favor for His Majesty finds in him a suitable representative to advance his desire of marrying Anne Boleyn.  Mr. Cranmer still does not find peace in the task given him and becomes even more anxious of Mr. Cromwell’s instructions for him to visit the city of Nurnberg.  The first city wholly run by Lutherans and reformers.  Mr. Cromwell then speaks to the Archbishop of Canterbury informing him of the King’s plan to put up a bill denying the Pope of the revenue from the English Church.  The bill will also indict the leading clergy of privileges they enjoy and abuse.  Mr. Cromwell accuses the Church of misusing the wealth better spent for the good of the whole commonwealth and not just a privileged few.  The Archbishop of Canterbury, however, finds the bill an attack on the faith of the Church and not the abuses of its clergy.  Nevertheless, King Henry is adamant in putting the bill in place that he summons the clergy to inform them that the oath they swore to the Pope is in contrast to the oath they swore to the kingdom.  The King now demands that they choose whom to serve.

Sir Thomas More speaks with the well-known and respectable Catholic, Sir George Throckmorton, to convey his displeasure with Mr. Cromwell’s scheme of forcing the clergy to submit completely to the King’s will and to secular authority.  He worries of the loss of spiritual life in the kingdom and pleads men like Sir George to remain strong in their faith.  Indeed there are still men with conscience that are unafraid to challenge the King and one such man is the friar that stood on the pulpit in His Majesty’s presence accusing King Henry VIII of turning to Ahab’s ways alluding to Ahab’s marriage to the whore, Jezebel.  His reproachful sermon resulted in his extraction from the church and his reception of Mr. Cromwell’s threat of death, a threat the friar does not fear for his faith is stronger than the fear of death.  Soon, King Henry VIII opens the Parliament expecting the clergy to declare their complete submission to his authority and learns of their surrender from the Archbishop of Canterbury who as representative of the clergy declares their submission to the King.  Both Cardinal Campeggio and Sir Thomas More woe the day the Church broke in England.  Sir Thomas tenders his resignation as Chancellor.  He also asks the King’s permission to allow him to withdraw from public life that he may live the rest of his life in God’s service.  King Henry VIII most willingly discharges Sir Thomas More and expresses appreciation for his service.  Sir Thomas set free from his service to the King finds the temerity to speak to His Majesty of his disapproval of the Great Matter and his desire for him to reconcile with Queen Katherine.  Moreover, he finds that his reconciliation with the rightful and legal Queen of England shall vanquish the divisions and sufferings of the kingdom.  King Henry VIII, however, becomes displeased with his opinion and asks that Sir Thomas keep it to himself.  The influence of Sir Thomas More ends and the sway of Mr. Cromwell begins.  Mr. Cromwell shares his delight to Lord Rochford at learning that Mr. Cranmer has taken advantage of the privilege afforded to the clergy in Nurnberg; the priest had taken himself a wife.  Mr. Cromwell reveals his true intention of destroying the Catholic Church in England and learns that Lord Rochford shares the same desire.  Sir Thomas More is resigned that the ruin of Christendom is at hand and envies the Archbishop of Canterbury who recently passed away.  Sir Thomas agrees with Cardinal Campeggio to their duty to defend Christendom whatever the cost maybe despite his yearning to live in peace having abjured the public realm.  Sir Thomas prepares his daughter for the consequences of standing by his faith, believing that martyrdom calls him.

Charles Brandon, the Duke of Suffolk, learns that his suggestion of Anne’s promiscuity displeased the King enough to order his banishment from court.  This is an order Mr. Cromwell relishes to communicate personally to the Duke.  The decision, however, was only made to please Anne.  King Henry, in fact, begins to reconsider the Duke’s banishment.  Lady Anne, however, rejects the idea arguing that forgiving the Duke so quickly might validate the rumors.  King Henry argues that refuting the rumors shall show his trust in her and what better way to invalidate them than to invite Mr. Wyatt to France with them.  Little did they know that Mr. Wyatt has taken steps to dispel the rumors.  He pays a visit to The More to deliver a command from King Henry ordering Queen Katherine of Aragon to return the official jewels.  The seizure of the Queen’s jewels is in anticipation of Lady Anne’s establishment as the new Queen of England.  Lady Elizabeth Darrell receives Mr. Wyatt for the Queen is at prayer.  She learns from Mr. Wyatt’s poem of his desire to be with her despite her declaration of becoming a bride of Christ.  She wills to reject him, but so quickly succumbs to the desire of the flesh.  Lady Elizabeth is unaware that she is merely a smokescreen and that Mr. Wyatt still burns for Anne Boleyn.

Lady Anne has already been acting like a Queen, sitting by the King’s side and introducing to him her chosen courtier, the fiddler, Mark Smeaton.  Soon, in preparation for her rise as Queen, King Henry VIII bestows on Lady Anne the noble title of Marquess of Pembroke that comes with an allowance of a hundred pounds a year.  King Henry then presents to her the jewels of the Queens of England.  With Anne Boleyn’s inevitable coronation as Queen, Ambassador Chapuys meets with the assassin ordering him to carry out the murder of Anne Boleyn in France.  It is, according to the ambassador, a mission sanctioned by the Emperor and the Pope, and done for the benefit of the people of England.  Moreover, Ambassador Chapuys states that the assassination will be done in the service of God.

King Henry VIII and his entourage sans Anne Boleyn arrive in English occupied France to meet with King Francis, who receives them as friends.  It is revealed that the King of France’s wife and sister are disinclined to receive Anne Boleyn as one of their own.  They are not the only ones who are opposed to the King’s chosen new wife for the Duke of Suffolk, who despite being in King Henry’s good graces once again, secretly maintains his allegiance to Queen Katharine of Aragon.  Lord Rochford, father of Anne Boleyn, confronts him about his allegiance and learns that the Duke of Suffolk who once took pride in his apathy towards politics has grown a social and moral conscience.  The festivities continue amidst the gravity of conversations among guests, but everyone’s attention centers on the seductive female dancers who arrived.  One of the dancers lures King Francis to dance with her, pleasing him greatly.  He becomes even more thrilled when King Henry VIII reveals her identity for she is no one else but Anne Boleyn, the future Queen of England and former lady in waiting to the Queen of France.  King Francis remembers the Boleyn sisters well such that Lady Anne requests him to keep his knowledge of her former activities in his court from the King of England.  Lady Anne has found a supporter in King Francis for the man loathes the Emperor who happens to be the nephew of Queen Katherine of Aragon.  King Francis takes great pleasure in seeing the Emperor discomfited with the humiliating divorce of his aunt from the King of England.  He, however, warns Anne Boleyn that the station she desires and soon will have is not an easy one especially to someone like her who is not born to have it.  King Francis confides in her that he himself would not have chosen the life of royalty if given a choice.  Even so, there is no deterring Anne’s aspiration of becoming the Queen of England and she intimates to her recently widowed sister, Mary, of the certainty of fulfilling her dream.  She is unaware that an assassin joined them in France to crush her dream.  Lucky for her, an opportunity to terminate her has not presented itself.  That night, she lies on the bed of King Henry VIII and copulates with him to give him the one thing the King desires to have, a son.

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Episode 1 Season 2 – The Tudors Episode Summary 2.1

Synopsis: King Henry VIII is made the Supreme Head of the Church and Clergy of England as far as the law of Christ allows.  The bishops have agreed to the title, because the caveat invalidates the whole bill.  Lord Rochford identifies Bishop Fisher as the person preventing the King from receiving full authority over the Church of England.  He orders the murder of Bishop Fisher.  Meanwhile, Queen Catherine of Aragon refuses to relinquish her role as King Henry’s lawful wife.

Episode Summary: Ambassador Chapuys returns to London in 1532 with a letter of encouragement and support for Sir Thomas More’s efforts in championing the cause of the Queen Catherine of Aragon.  Sir Thomas More, however, requests that Ambassador Chapuys not deliver it to him for although he has gained the confidence of the King he finds that no one is indispensable in the eyes of King Henry VIII.  Accepting the letter will do their cause a disservice for it will only bring forth suspicion and prevent Sir Thomas More from boldly speaking in favor of the Queen.Continue reading...

King Henry VIII summons Sir Thomas More to convey to him the complaint from the House of Commons regarding the cruel behavior and the abuses of the prelates and the clergy.  Moreover, the King relays to him the supposed desire of his people to be free of clerical rule.  Although Sir Thomas condemns the abuses of the clergy, he makes it clear that he cannot condone the vision of private belief and personal grace.  He continues to support the Church, believing it to be a palpable community that is the permanent and living sign of God’s presence.  Despite his beliefs, Sir Thomas assures the King that his loyalty and love for him prevents him from speaking against the King in public.  King Henry VIII arrives at the Parliament in Westminster to speak to the Lords and Graces about the charges laid against them.  They have been accused of betraying their King and their country for supporting the authority of the late Cardinal Wolsey and the Bishop of Rome.  King Henry VIII states that it is his sacred duty sealed before God and by solemn oath at his coronation to restore right order on Earth and assert the immunities and princely liberties of their realm and crown.  The Bishop of Rochester, Bishop Fisher, addresses the Lords and His Majesty regarding the request to admit King Henry VIII as the supreme head of the Church in England.  Bishop Fisher states that agreeing to the request will result in abandoning the unity with the See of Rome.  He warns of their realm drowning in a wave of heresies, sects, schisms and divisions that will separate them from the Christian world.  Archbishop Warham recommends giving King Henry VIII the title of Supreme Head of the Church and Clergy of England as far as the law of Christ allows.  None of the Lords and Graces expressed contempt to the proposition and so the King becomes the head of the Church of England.  King Henry VIII informs Anne Boleyn of the decision delighting the woman who believes that her rise to the throne as the new Queen of England is nearing.  Her father, Lord Rochford, however, apprises Anne of what truly happened at the tribunal.  The Bishops had indeed voted for the King to be the Supreme Head of the Church of England, but they had added a caveat that bounds his authority under the law of Christ.  Lord Rochford remains hopeful believing that only one man stands in their way, and that is Bishop Fisher.

Mr. Cromwell introduces the obscure cleric, Mr. Cranmer, to George Boleyn, who was recently tasked to negotiate with the Graces following the Convocation of the Bishops.  He reports that two bishops, Bishop Fisher and Archbishop Warham, remain recalcitrant to the King’s wishes.  Later, George Boleyn and Lord Rochford meet with the cook, Mr. Roose.  The cook receives money, a vial, and a threat against his family if he fails in his mission.  Mr. Roose nervously pours the contents of the vial to the pot of soup he is stirring.  The pot of soup is sent to the dining room where the bishops including Sir Thomas More are dining and discussing the success of invalidating the bill that makes the King the head of the Church of England through the addition of the caveat.  Bishop Fisher asks one of the servers to give him only a small helping of soup.  Everyone is given a bowl except for Sir Thomas More, who refused getting one.  Bishop Fisher asks if Sir Thomas has considered resigning his post as Chancellor and delights at hearing that Sir Thomas has decided to keep his position in order to fight for Christendom.  Soon, the Graces who have been devouring the soup begin to gag and die from the poisoned soup.  Bishop Fisher, who ate only a small amount of the soup, survived the poisoning.

Sir Thomas More reports the incident to the King and of the rumors surrounding the identity of the person who sought the bishop’s death.  He informs the King that Wiltshire and Boleyn have been rumored to order the murder.  Moreover, Lady Anne has been suspected of involvement.  King Henry becomes livid at hearing the accusation against Lady Anne believing that people find her at fault for every unfortunate event in their realm.  Although Sir Thomas refuses to impute anyone for the murderous deed, he warns the King about not seeking justice for the crime for it would appear that the murders were done with his blessing.  Mr. Roose, indeed, has been sent to the Tower of London.  The cook has been tortured to divulge the identity of the person who ordered the murders.  Lord Rochford joins Mr. Cromwell’s interrogation to ensure that the man remains silent.  Mr. Roose refuses to divulge the person who conceived the crime.  He is sentenced to die by boiling.

Mr. Cromwell presents Mr. Cranmer to the King stating that it was he who posited that the Great Matter is a theological and not a legal issue.  Hearing of this, King Henry VIII appoints Mr. Cranmer as his personal chaplain.  The cleric could barely utter a word to express his gratitude.  King Henry VIII later speaks with Lord Suffolk after learning that he married Catherine Brook, his seventeen-year old ward, that his young son may have a mother.  The King, fully aware of Lord Suffolk’s proclivity to philandering, feels sorry for the young bride.  Although Lord Suffolk does not contest the King’s incredulity, he does declare that his love and admiration for Ms. Brook has brought a change in him.

Anne Boleyn wakes in her bed as the ray of sunlight hits her eyes.  Beside her lay the poet, Thomas Wyatt, who professes his eternal love for her.  Thomas makes love to Anne Boleyn only to wake and find that it was only a dream.  The following day, he sees Anne, now addressed as Lady Anne.  Mr. Wyatt has found status in court through the patronage of Mr. Cromwell.  He presents the entertainer, Mark Smeaton.  At the request of Lady Anne, Mr. Smeaton plays a joyful tune on his violin and gives her a brief lesson.  Later, she sees an attendant delivering linen to Queen Catherine, the one she uses to make his shirts.  Livid, she confronts the King about it, angry at having found that the Queen still makes him shirts.  Lady Anne believes that the act displays intimacy between the King and Queen.  The King who has things that is more pressing in his mind, matches Anne’s anger.  He, however, informs Queen Catherine that she will no longer make his shirts.  In an attempt to placate King Henry, the Queen speaks of their daughter Mary whom she says is unwell.  However, her suggestion that they both visit their daughter only added to his anger.  King Henry proposes that the Queen go and visit their daughter and that she stay there for good.  Queen Catherine of Aragon, although hurt by the King’s words, make it known that her rightful place is to be at the King’s side.

Sir Thomas More pays Bishop Fisher a visit at the Bishopric of Rochester where he is recuperating.  He informs him that the King had showed severity towards the criminal.  Bishop Fisher, however, still frail from the poison that almost ended his life worries that the King might pursue his divorce while he lies in bed unable to put up a fight.  Sir Thomas consoles the bishop with news that only Sir Thomas Boleyn supported his proposal to proceed with the divorce without the Pope’s permission.  He notes that not even the King’s good friend, Lord Suffolk, gave him support.  The King, however, speaks to Lord Suffolk with a request, which he fulfills.  Lord Suffolk asks Queen Catherine to withdraw her appeal to the Pope, but the Queen continues to refuse to relinquish her role as the King’s true wife.  Charles Brandon returns with discouraging news that the Queen will remain unquestioning to God and her conscience.  King Henry confronts Ambassador Chapuys with a message to the Emperor.  He is unwilling to be judged by the Pope in his marital affairs and is unafraid of the threat of excommunication.  Despite the Queen’s refusal to fulfill the King’s request, King Henry informs Anne that they are to leave court for a while with a promise that the Queen will be gone upon their return.  Queen Catherine of Aragon watch as King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn leave court.  Soon Mr. Cromwell arrives to inform her on behalf of the King that she is to leave and settle in the King’s house, The Moor.  Moreover, she is to return to him the official jewels of the Queens of England.  Queen Catherine refuses to return the jewels that are rightfully hers.  She, however, leaves the court where the people including Lord Suffolk and Sir Thomas More show their respect and sadly bid her farewell.  A messenger of the Queen arrives at the lodge where the King and Lady Anne are staying with a message from the Queen.  He relays the Queen’s regret for the King not bidding her goodbye and asks of his health.  The King attacks the messenger with the message that he does not want any of her goodbyes and he does not desire to provide her any consolation.  She is no longer to send him any messages.

In Rome, Cardinal Campeggio speaks to the Holy Father regarding the King of England’s Great Matter.  The King had sent a letter urging the Curia to make a final and favorable decision on his annulment.  King Henry VIII includes in his letter a complaint against the Pope’s predecessor, Pope Clement VII, for delaying the pronouncement.  The recently installed Pope, Pope Paul III, also received a letter from the Emperor written on behalf of his aunt, Catherine.  The letter urges the Pope to prevent the annulment and to excommunicate the King.  Pope Paul III finds that they must not antagonize the King of England lest he begin a war against them.  He wonders why no one has tried to get rid of Anne Boleyn whom he believes is the cause of all this strife.  Ambassador Chapuys meets with a man who claims to be a close servant of the King willing to assassinate Lady Anne whom he believes to have bewitched the King into betraying his lawful wife and the Holy Church.  He receives a blessing from Ambassador Chapuys.

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