Henry [Jonathan Rhys-Meyers] does not age but, in some scenes, he does use a walking stick as his legs become sore from old injuries.
The Tudor court is brilliantly and realistically recreated—apart from the usual historical inaccuracies for the sake of entertainment, and some anachronisms with costumes. Jane Seymour wears a ruff that belonged during the late Elizabethan/early Jacobean period. Some of her ladies-in-waiting’s hats resemble those from Queen Victoria or Edward VII’s reigns.
The English Reformation is in full swing with the Dissolution of the Monasteries as Thomas Cromwell [James Frain] transfers their wealth into the royal treasury.
Jane Seymour
Henry marries his third wife, the demure Jane Seymour [Anita Briem]—the complete opposite of his second.
More plotting and intrigue continues with Cromwell’s continued rise and elevation to the peerage. Henry plans his new Queen’s coronation.
The trouble-making Lady Rochford [Joanna King] is appointed Principal Lady-in-Waiting.
It isn’t long before Henry is dissatisfied with his wife’s failure to fall pregnant so he takes a mistress, Lady Ursula Misseldon [Charlotte Salt]. (In fact, no historical evidence survives proving Henry’s infidelity during his third marriage or Lady Ursula’s existence.)
Will Jane succeed in reuniting Henry’s dysfunctional family by allowing his daughters Mary [Sarah Bolger] and Elizabeth [Claire Macaulay] return to court?
Henry winces in excruciating pain when doctors remove a splinter of bone from his ulcerated leg.
Pilgrimage of Grace
Many Catholics are dissatisfied with Cromwell’s regime. They want their Feast Days (holidays) back, monasteries restored, churches “unmolested” and no more taxes!
The Pilgrimage of Grace, led by Robert Aske [Gerard McSorley] begins as a peaceful protest, although they demand Cromwell’s head!
Charles Brandon [Henry Cavill] is sent north with an army to subdue the rebellion.
Aske’s family bid a tearful farewell when he leaves for London.
The leaders are shocked and stunned by Henry’s betrayal. Most are imprisoned, tortured and executed with their heads impaled as a warning.
Women and children are also hanged.
Prince Edward
Henry is elated at the prospect of fatherhood. He is excited when the baby starts kicking.
The court celebrates when a son is born, but Henry’s joy is short-lived when his beloved queen dies days later. He goes into seclusion to mourn his loss.
The nobles resent Cromwell taking charge during the King’s absence.
Why isn’t Cromwell happy with the Six Articles of Faith?
Cardinal Reginald Pole [Mark Hildreth] remains at large in Europe—a major threat to Henry’s throne. Will Sir Francis Bryan [Alan Van Sprang] succeed with his assassination plot to rid Henry of his rival? What will happen to his relatives in England, especially his mother Lady Salisbury [Kate O’Toole]?
Soon the hunt is one for Henry’s fourth wife. Henry expresses interest in Christina of Milan [Sonya Cassidy], four French princesses and the Duke of Cleves’ sisters Anne and Amelia. Henry’s marital history precedes him, as most prefer to keep their heads!
Henry makes his preferences known but it doesn’t fit in with Cromwell’s agenda.
Circumstances force Henry to accept the unsophisticated German princess Anne of Cleves [Joss Stone]. Henry finds her repulsive, but Anne also airs her grievances against Henry.
Another glaring error—Katherine Howard [Tamzin Merchant] is portrayed as a prostitute. (She was actually a maid of honour to Anne of Cleves where she caught Henry’s eye.)
The series ends with another beheading.
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