Episode 2.04

Synopsis

• Questions of faith dominate the court. As the infant Princess Elizabeth is baptised, 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, recognising the validity of the King's new marriage and the supremacy of Henry VIII in all matters.
• Moore and Fisher end up in the tower as neither one will sign the Act of Succession.
• Anne has her brother George remove lady Elinor from court, once she finds out Lady Elinor has been Henry's mistress.
• Anne is with child again and on her father's advice presents Henry with a mistress she has chosen (her cousin Madge Shelton) , rather than give Henry the opportunity to choose a mistress on his own.
• Henry visits Elizabeth at Hatfield while he is on progress and predicts great things for her.
  

Unanswered Questions

Best Moments

• Cromwell meets with Thomas Moore to ascertain his feelings on the Act of Succession which also incorporates Henry as Supreme Head of the Church. More makes it clear he supports the Act of Succession, but can't sanction Henry as head of the church of England.

• Mary Tudor denies Anne Boleyn as Queen and only acknowledges her mother, Katherine as the rightful queen of England.

• Anne's disturbing father tells her she must pick a mistress for the king that they may control.

• Anne weeping in her bed, alone, after she encourages Madge Shelton to be the king's mistress.

Best Quotes

• "I am sure His Majesty will one day relent. For I think, I believe, with all my heart, that he still loves and cares for me."
• " His majesty is aware that you favor the Imperialist cause. You say so openly in the council and have perhaps a great sympathy for the Dowager Princess."
• The Princess will shortly be given her own establishment at Hatfield. Among others, the Lady Mary will attend and wait on her."
• " A shepard cannot stand idly by while the wolf enters the fold and threatens his flock. I have decided to make Fisher a Cardinal. You will send his hat to England. Let's see if the King is still prepared to prosecute and torture a Prince of the church."
• Ah, my Elizabeth. Who knows Mistress Bryan; perhaps one day this little girl will preside over empires."
• " It is natural for a man, when his wife is big with child and not willing to lie with him, to find some temporary consolation elsewhere, and with Kings, it is properly expected. Sweetheart, listen to me, for the danger to you and to us is not that the King takes a mistress but that he takes the wrong one; someone we can't control who would seek to control the King. But if you suppose the King is sure to take a mistress, then make sure she is your choice and not his."
• "Then Fisher will have to wear it on his shoulders. For by the time it gets here, he won't have a head to wear it on."
• " Lady Mary, I am here in kindness. I would welcome you back to court and reconcile you with your father, if you would only recognize me as Queen."
• " I recognize no Queen but my mother. But if the King's mistress would intercede with the King on my behalf, then I would be grateful."
  

Trivia