Episode 2.03

Synopsis

• King Henry must annull his marriage to Catherine of Aragon as Anne Boleyn is with child. He cannot wait for the Pope's decision any longer. Archbishop Warham has died, so there is a need to fill the vacancy of Archbishop of Cantebury. Henry appoints Cramner and informs him he must reach a decision as to "The Great Matter". In the interim, Henry secretly marries Anne. Cramner subsequently declares Henry's marriage to Catherine "null and void" and his marriage to Anne Boleyn "valid and lawful in the eyes of God".
• In the meantime, Pope Paul III threatens Henry with excommunication if he does not leave Anne and return to Catherine. The Curia votes in favor of Catherine; Henry disregards this.
• Anne Boleyn has her coronation. The mystery hooded man, who we find out is William Brereton, is sent back to England with the Pope's blessing after his first assassination attempt fails. Brereton attempts to assasinate Anne during her coronation procession and kills someone else. Thomas Boleyn is furious with Charles Brandon for not being more vigilant as he is Grand Marshall and this was allowed to happen with the shooter not being caught.
• Queen Catherine and Princess Mary are both informed they are no longer Queen and Princess, but Princess Dowager Catherine and Lady Mary. Neither is willing to accept this despite the fact that they know Henry has married Anne Boleyn.
• Anne goes into labor and gives birth to a girl. Both Henry and Anne are disappointed as they were assured by an astrologer that they would have a male heir. Henry is visibly upset but states:" You and I are both young and by God's grace, boys will follow."
• Henry begins to tire of Anne and finds comfort with one of Anne's Ladies-in- Waiting: Lady Elinor.
  

Unanswered Questions

Best Moments
Cranmer is made Archbishop of Canterbury.

• Cromwell is appointed Chancellor.
• Anne and Henry's secret marriage and Anne's subsequent coronation.
• The birth of Elizabeth.
• The Roman Curia rules in favor of Catherine and threatens Henry with excommunication if he does not go back to Catherine.
  

Best Quotes

• You know what? I have a furious hankering for apples, such as I've never had before. It started 3 days ago. The King told me it was a sign I was pregnant, but I said it was nothing of the sort.'
• "The fact is I now have a reason, a very good reason, not to wait for the Pope's decision. The annulment of my marriage must be declared immediately."
• "For the fact is Campeggio that the Kings of Europe have power but no morality. I must act as their conscious. They are my willful children and I their father leading them along the paths of righteousness".
• "You are not beholden to Rome, Only to God and me."
• "No English sovereign has been granted such absolute power."
• "If I had to choose between extreme happiness and extreme sorrow, I would always choose sorrow. For when you are happy you forget about spiritual things; you forget about God, but in your soul he is always with you."
• "As long as I live, I will always call myself the Queen of England."
• "The union between King Henry and Catherine of Aragon is declared null and void and therefore the King's marriage to Anne Boleyn is declared both valid and lawful in the eyes of God."
• " So keep your head. It's a pretty head, in any case, and I don't want to lose it either. But store up your knowledge and your anger. Don't act impulsively; it's always a mistake. But one day with others so disposed, use them both and if you can, bring her down and destroy her."
• "I've been thinking about the past when I believed the King to be the most enlightened and promising Prince in Christendom. I was sure his reign would be a Golden Age; such high hopes."
• "Lady Mary, I have come to inform you of the judgements made recently by His Grace, The Archbishop of Canterbury. His Majesty's marriage to your mother has been declared null and void. Your mother was never legally Queen of England and must now accept the title of Dowager Princess, just as you no longer have the right to call yourself Princess, but from now on must be known as Lady Mary. At the same time, His Majesty's recent marriage to Queen Anne has been declared legal and valid. Her coronation took place in London this past week."
• " I know of no Queen of England save my mother and I will accept no other Queen except my mother."
• "You and I are both young, and by God's grace boys will follow."

Trivia

• Princess Elizabeth was born at Greenwich Palace on September 7, 1533. Before the birth, the queen had already prepared the birth announcements for a Prince, afterwards an extra 's' had to be added to indicate the birth of a girl.