As Thomas Cromwell's increasingly ruthless reforms spread terror through an ever more vulnerable Catholic Church, Anne Boleyn has nightmares that her position at the King's side is under threat from the continued existence of former Queen Katherine and her daughter, Mary. Meanwhile, Henry is occupied by sad news and a happy encounter.
Mysterious, huh? Check out these scenes and see if you can figure out what will happen this week!
In the first scene, Henry tells a slightly paranoid Anne to mind her own beeswax:
uestions of faith dominate the court. As the infant Princess Elizabeth is baptized, the 'Act of Succession' is unveiled declaring that only children of Henry and Anne are legitimate successors to the English throne. A law is passed where every Royal subject must take an oath, on pain of death, recognizing the validity of the King's new marriage and the supremacy of Henry VIII in all matters.
Oh snap!
First, Henry won't allow Anne to breastfeed baby Lizzie. (Somebody call La Leche!)
Then, Pope Paul III calls Henry out on his defiance by throwing in his hat:
King Henry tells Thomas Cromwell (James Frain) that the position of Archbishop of Canterbury must be filled in order to swiftly annul his marriage:
But
Pope Paul III (played deliciously by Peter O'Toole) has something else
on his mind - the King's excommunication from the Church:
So... episodes 1 and 2. What do you think about Peter O'Toole? Amazing, right! And how about getting boiled alive? Seems an ironic way to go for a cook, no? How could the Boleyns just sit there and watch? Oh! So much to discuss...