Firebrand (2023) Movie Script
1
[WIND BLOWING]
[DISTANT ANIMALS CALLING]
GIRL: In a rotten,
blood-soaked island Kingdom,
cursed by plague
and riven by religious unrest,
there once was a queen
by the name of Katherine Parr.
She was the sixth wife
of an angry and ailing king.
[INDISTINCT VOICES WHISPERING]
[INHALES]
GIRL: Of the wives
that had gone before,
two were cast out.
One died in childbirth.
And two more had their heads
struck from their bodies,
on the King's order.
Twice a widow but yet
to conceive a child herself,
Queen Katherine gathered
the other wives' children
around her
and loved us as her own.
She was the only mother
I have ever known.
This one needs your signature.
GIRL: The Queen dreamed
of a land free from tyranny.
She believed she could steer
the Kingdom to the light.
And when the King went to war
across the sea,
Queen Katherine
was made regent.
For a moment, it was as though
a great weight had lifted
and a new dawn
was approaching.
[METAL CLANGING]
[WATER SPLASHING]
[EXHALES]
[HORSES WHINNYING]
LADY IN WAITING 1:
Katherine, the horses are ready.
Thank you.
LADY IN WAITING 2:
She was seen near the shrine
to the Virgin Mary yesterday.
The one on Goyt's Lane.
She can't be far from there.
KATHERINE: How far is it?
LADY IN WAITING 2:
It's about a two-hour ride.
LADY IN WAITING 3:
Ellen, where are the hoods?
ELLEN: They're here, look.
LADY IN WAITING 2:
This should fit you, Katherine.
Leave that, Dot.
We must hurry.
[LOCK THUDDING]
[HORSES NEIGHING]
[MEN CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]
[HORSES NICKERING]
[NEIGHING]
[DISTANT HORSES WHINNYING]
Your Majesty?
Only women are allowed
at the shrine.
But, Your Majesty,
we must escort you.
You can't go on your own.
We'll be back before dusk.
GUARD: Here, take the horse.
WOMAN 1: Ten years ago,
our King cast off
the chains of Rome.
He said, "Rid yourselves
of the Pope's Latin,
here is a Bible
in your own language."
And with this act,
our King freed us.
Now, peasant and pauper,
soldier and merchant,
man and woman,
could understand what
the priests chanted at us.
[WOMAN 1 SPEAKING LATIN]
what that means?
CROWD: No.
No? [CHUCKLES]
But you've heard it,
you've heard it
countless times in church.
Better to place your trust
in the Lord
than to place your trust
in princes.
Psalm 118, verse 9.
WOMAN 1: That's right.
You, sir.
If the Bible is English
and not Latin,
you can read it as well
as any priest, could you not?
Of course you can!
[CROWD LAUGHING]
Of course you can!
MAN [CHUCKLES]: Yes.
And you can interpret it
just as well too
because we were not
hearing God.
We were not hearing God
in those sermons,
we were hearing the priest.
[PEOPLE GRUNT IN AFFIRMATION]
Now our bishops
and our lords and our King
do not like that, do they?
Oh, no. Oh, no, they don't.
We have created an appetite
for questioning
His Majesty's church, oh, no!
We have created
an appetite for protest!
"Where will it end?" they cry.
Where will it end.
[SNIFFLES]
[CROWD MURMURING]
If we may question a priest,
what else will we question?
Who else?
Everything.
Anyone.
Last year,
the King and his men
once again banned
the English Bible,
forcing us to obey diktats
in a tongue
we do not understand,
but they cannot dam
the river now.
It is not for those above us
to tell us what to believe!
PEASANT: Hear, hear!
Hear, hear!
Listen to me, now.
It is too late for words,
for petitions.
For gentle persuasion.
We...
We must rise up
and take what is ours.
CROWD: Yes!
Revolution is upon us!
CROWD: Yes!
The King will be with us
or we will go without him!
CROWD: Yes!
We shouldn't be here, should we?
ELLEN:
No, that was treason.
Your Highness, we must go.
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
MAN:
Who's the one to follow?
WOMAN 1: If you cannot read,
we will teach you!
Join us!
What are you doing here?
I heard you were close.
[CHUCKLING]
I had to see you.
Seven years.
ANNE:
Seven years?
Look, I brought you something.
He let you publish
under your own name?
It might not be as radical
as you want it to be,
but it's my writing.
It's what I believe...
and every princess
in every court in Europe
has read it.
Oh?
Well, if it's good enough
for princesses...
ANNE:
Come.
I thought you came
to hear me speak.
To hear treason
against my husband?
Oh, your husband?
The killer you were
forced to marry?
What, do you love him now?
He has never
laid a finger on me.
I've lasted longer than any
of his wives since his first.
He's changed,
he listens to me.
[SIGHS]
He's allowing me to educate
Edward and Elizabeth
in the new faith.
They're the future, Anne.
He's made me regent
whilst he's in France.
[SCOFFS] He puts his wife
on the throne
so that a man cannot take it
when he is gone.
Have you been
allowed to do anything
but sign household bills?
His confidence
in your weakness
is what keeps you safe. Nev...
[COUGHING]
Never in my life
did I think
you would stand here
and tell me the King
just needs to "listen."
Whose side are you on?
I believe that I was chosen.
By God, to change
the King's mind.
[SOFTLY] Kit.
[SIGHS]
Do you think that is all
God planned for you?
[HORSES WHINNYING]
[HORSE NEIGHING]
KATHERINE:
Edward, what are you doing up?
I'm bored, Mama.
[CHUCKLES]
I want to go back
to Hampton Court.
I know. I know.
But right now,
God is testing us.
He sent us the plague
as a proof of our sin,
and that's why we're here.
Let me see.
"He suffered
under Pontius Pilate,
"he was crucified,
died, and buried.
He descended into hell."
You chose the word "hell"?
[CHUCKLES] It's a straight
translation from Matthew.
Yes, but it doesn't say "hell."
It says "Hades."
[CHUCKLES]
Which means the underworld.
It is the very same thing.
Mm-hmm.
But is that the only meaning?
EDWARD: Uncle Thomas!
Edward!
[GROANS]
My Prince, you're so big!
ELIZABETH:
...can mean the devil.
How are you?
I'm bored.
Yes, and in Greek
it means "the unseen."
Think about which one is
the most rich in expression.
Elizabeth,
you have an exceptional mind.
Use it for more
than simple translations.
Did you really go
to that shrine?
Why would I have gone
elsewhere?
Finish that, please.
We found Anne
close to the shrine.
And?
She was preaching
to a large group.
Her following is growing.
[SCOFFING] So what?
She's gonna overthrow
the Church?
She can't be serious.
KATHERINE:
I've never known her not to be.
Is she going to overthrow
the King too?
[SCOFFS SOFTLY]
Of course not.
THOMAS:
Well, she survived this long.
The way she spoke...
it excited me.
THOMAS:
And nobody knows except me.
KATHERINE:
And your brother?
Well, Edward believes
what we believe.
I must return to Antwerp.
I really can't stand it here,
it's so backward and cold.
Well, I've heard there might
be a match for you there.
Mm-hmm.
Maybe.
Mm-hmm.
[SMACKS LIPS]
Her father doesn't
like me, though.
Oh?
But she does.
And what about you?
What does it matter
what I feel?
KATHERINE:
Hmm?
I never had
what I truly wanted.
[KATHERINE GRUNTS]
Neither did I.
Does the King know
you're teaching his daughter
that she can translate
the Bible as she sees fit?
[SIGHS] You know, uh,
Henry trusts me.
He trusts you, does he?
Mm-hmm. He does.
[CLEARS THROAT] Your Majesty.
Remember we have
a Privy Council meeting
tomorrow morning.
Your Majesty.
Katherine, you mustn't speak
with Anne Askew again.
[PRAYING IN LATIN]
Amen.
COUNCIL: Amen.
Amen.
Let's commence with the war.
The King needs more troops
for his French campaign.
I suggest we start recruiting
as of next week.
Four thousand men,
mercenaries if necessary.
It will be expensive.
Then we'll raise the taxes...
[THOMAS CHUCKLES]
...if needed.
The nobles will not like that.
LORD EDWARD: There is enough
trouble in the country,
do we need to cause
more reason for revolt?
GARDINER: My Lord Edward,
can't you Seymours
just cooperate for once?
The nobles will do
what is asked of them.
The King will value
their sacrifice.
Then we are agreed.
So if the Queen would
turn her mind
to domestic matters,
there are reports
that the plague
has followed us to Derbyshire.
Yes, there are too many
who came with us from London.
Anyone who's not essential
must return to their estates.
GARDINER: We cannot have
the King return
to a plague infested palace.
Indeed, the risk is too great.
Good.
My apologies, Your Highness.
Uh, if you'll excuse me.
Before you leave,
I would like to propose
a new commission
to explore the consequences
of having allowed the commoners
to hear the Bible
in their own tongue.
Your Highness, you cannot mean
to reignite that debate, please.
Though it is true
that the country is
of two minds in this matter.
And the King welcomes informed
debate, Bishop Gardiner.
The King left
strict instructions
that no major religious policy
is to be enacted
whilst he is in France.
And you know that very well,
Lord Seymour.
I know you fear anarchy,
Bishop.
So do I.
But I also believe
that the short time
that the commoners were allowed
to hear the Bible in English
may have in fact strengthened
and deepened their devotion.
[SCOFFS] Oh, God's sake.
KATHERINE:
To Henry, to God.
Hear, hear.
[TABLE THUMPING]
[PAGE WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY]
KATHERINE: The King will
be back earlier than expected.
Well, if you'll excuse me,
Your Highness.
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
[CHAIRS SCRAPING]
THOMAS:
Your Majesty.
We need to warn Anne.
She must get away from here.
ELLEN:
The horses are being prepared.
They'll be ready in a minute.
[WHISPERS INDISTINCTLY]
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
Here are the books
you asked for.
Did anyone see you?
No.
Do you want me
to keep it for you?
No.
I won't be searched.
LADY IN WAITING 1:
Please be careful.
[HORSE NEIGHS]
[HORSE NEIGHS]
ANNE:
...to make their bodies useful,
to make their lives
worthwhile!
We refuse
to be taken for fools!
Let us pray, come.
WOMAN 1: Praise the Lord!
PEASANTS: Praise the Lord!
KATHERINE:
You have to leave.
Henry's on his way back.
[SCOFFS]
If they find you here preaching,
they will burn you!
And so be it.
Do you hear me?
I will not hide.
I will not hide!
[COUGHS]
I can see that you're not well.
I'm fine, Kit. I'm fine.
This is what people look like
when they sleep in hard beds
and eat hard food.
[SIGHS]
I'm going further north,
where your husband allows
the Catholic lords
to punish people for speaking
in their own language.
Good people.
Friends killed for preaching
in towns and villages
what you just play at
in the palace.
I will not waste my chance
as you are wasting yours.
[SCOFFS]
What would you have me do?
I would have you pull his head
from his neck.
I would have you bloodied,
your pretty dress ripped,
hands calloused,
covered in mud
over his dead body.
You're not being serious.
No, I know
what you are capable of.
You have to go.
You have to leave.
Do you hear me?
[PEASANTS CONTINUE PRAYING]
[SCOFFS]
[ANNE LAUGHS]
Do you remember
we cried for hours
the night
of your first wedding?
You have to go.
Henry will be looking
for heretics in every corner.
[SOFTLY] I can't.
They're chopping
people's heads off,
burning people,
hear what I'm telling you?
They're burning people.
Come here.
[SOBS]
[SNIFFLES]
Kit.
Sell it.
That will keep you
through the winter.
No.
Take it.
[SOFTLY] I can't.
Take it.
KATHERINE: Hmm.
[BOTH SNIFFLING]
[SIGHS]
MAN: I heard her speak
this morning.
A new woman
passing pamphlets out.
I got one in English!
Oh, I felt fellowship,
I felt faith.
LADY IN WAITING:
"And out of it,
"a young lady
to come was seen.
"Of winsomest mien,
of stature fine and thin,
"and bright as though a moon
"of the fourteenth night
she had been,
"or the sun raining
lively sheen.
"She rose like the morn
as she shone
through the night..."
[CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]
The Great Hall
looks beautiful.
The tables have been set,
the flowers arranged.
And was it aired?
It needs to be aired before.
It has all been taken care of.
ELLEN: Van Wilder's musicians
are setting up downstairs.
Right.
And what about the new piece?
They've managed it,
been rehearsing all night.
Good.
LADY IN WAITING 1: Oh, merde!
Oh, he's here! He's early!
LADY IN WAITING 2: Oh! Oh, no!
Gather everyone.
PAGE: His Majesty will be
retiring to his chambers,
he asks
that you meet him there.
He does not want
any feasts or celebration.
[FLUTE PLAYING OFF-KEY]
[HENRY SNIFFLES]
[SIGHS, GROANS]
Missed you.
You're back
earlier than expected.
Mm.
I'm happy to see you.
You didn't want the feast...
These legs.
...and the music?
These legs are worse.
It's why we came home.
Couldn't get on my horse.
In front of all my men.
It was humiliating.
[BIRD SQUAWKS]
What's that?
We brought you a gift.
[BIRD SQUAWKS]
[CHUCKLES]
We named it Carlos.
[SQUAWKS]
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Feed it.
Carlos?
You brought home
the Emperor of Spain?
Mm. He's about as useful.
Feed it.
[SOFTLY] Ah, he's so gentle.
[CHUCKLES]
We're proud of you.
You were an excellent regent.
We thank you.
Did you enjoy it?
I wish I could have done more.
Mm, I bet.
The plague is getting worse.
Mm.
Deaths are increasing in London.
Yes.
I think it might be best
if we postpone our journey.
Yes, yes. We're staying.
We're staying.
Mm.
I'm back now.
I'm home
and you don't need to worry
your little head about it
anymore.
Dr. Farabi is here, Harry.
[HENRY MUMBLES]
Farabi, you wretched snatch.
Your Majesty.
It is lovely
to have you here back.
Oh. Such a magnificent liar.
FARABI: How are we feeling?
[SIGHS]
[LAUGHING]
[SIGHS]
The French damp got in
and stayed.
Ten years
and it still hasn't healed.
Will you allow me
to take a look?
Yeah.
MAN: Harry.
[GROANS]
Gently.
[BREATHES DEEPLY]
[CARLOS SQUAWKING]
[MUFFLED GROANING]
[CONTINUES GROANING]
FARABI: This does not
look good, Your Majesty.
I'm afraid I have to clean it.
[HENRY GROANS]
[HENRY GRUNTS, BREATHES HEAVILY]
[SOFTLY] Wait.
[KATHERINE CLEARS THROAT]
[GRUNTING]
What is this,
what are you doing?
Um, it's... it's my book.
You like the new cover?
Another prayer book?
It's the same.
It's done rather well.
I have ordered
a new edition, just...
making a few changes.
You published your book now.
Why must... Why must you
insist on writing more?
Hmm?
You must be careful.
Always to hold the line.
Don't push too hard.
I'm God's deputy.
And won't be patron
to heretics.
You understand, don't you?
HENRY: This boar was the size
of a wagon with four wheels,
I kid you not.
[LORDS LAUGH]
HENRY: On this Ascension Day,
we welcome our daughter
and pearl...
Mary.
No, no. Get up.
Lady Jalida Marquez.
Your Majesty.
You look the same as you did
the day you arrived from Spain.
We remember.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Ho!
Come on, Harry.
Come and play something.
No, no, no.
Come on.
Oh, all right. Just one.
NOBLEMAN 1: See?
NOBLEMAN 2: Sing and play.
He's been practicing
all morning.
[MARY GIGGLES]
[HENRY SIGHS]
This was highly unexpected.
[CROWD CHUCKLES]
[PLAYING VIRGINALS]
Pastimes with good company
I love
And shall until I die
MEN: Grudge who lust
But none deny
So God be pleased
Thus live will I
For my pastance
Hunt, sing and dance
My heart is set
All goodly sport
For my comfort
Who shall me let?
HENRY: Everybody.
ALL: Youth must have
Some dalliance
Of good
Or ill some pastance
Company methinks them best
[LAUGHS]
All thoughts and fancies
To digest
For idleness
Is chief mistress
Of vices
[GARDINER PRAYS IN LATIN]
Amen.
ALL: Amen.
Amen. [SNIFFLES]
[MAN SPEAKING LATIN]
I'd almost forgotten
what it's like to be in court.
It's nice to have you back.
We must band together against
the madness of these times.
We're family, after all.
This preacher woman...
Anne Askew.
Did she confess
before the end?
No, she didn't break.
Oh.
She kept quoting the Bible.
She said that it speaks
of equality for all men.
Will! Less.
Well, did she say anything?
Well, when she was asked
if the Holy Spirit holds
a higher authority
than the King,
she refused to answer.
Again and again.
Refused?
[LAUGHS] Yes.
It is safe, Your Majesty.
Do you have a knife?
Yes. Misguided but...
impressive in its way.
Were there many more of them?
She was arrested
with some of her followers,
a few managed to escape
to the continent, apparently.
MARY: Katherine.
We'll find them.
Katherine.
What are those?
Uh...
HENRY: Can't have heretics.
Spreading division...
Blue cherries.
...dissent.
GARDINER: They cannot evade
us much longer.
And each one we burn,
well, that serves as a...
as a warning for the others,
doesn't it?
The ham is excellent.
[HAWK CALLING]
[PEOPLE LAUGH]
Well?
[CHEEPS]
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
She was arrested
a couple of days
after you saw her.
Some of our people
are escaping to Flanders.
It can't have been her.
She was arrested,
tortured and then burned
on orders of the King.
She's gentry.
It's against the law.
Apparently,
she sewed paper and stuffed
gunpowder into her gown
so she would burn faster.
[GROANS SOFTLY]
[DOGS BARKING]
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
Get up, for God's sake.
Stand up.
We need to be careful.
This is becoming
extremely dangerous.
Katherine, I pray
no one saw you there that day.
[MAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]
[HAWKS CALLING]
LADY IN WAITING 1:
...to our call.
LADY IN WAITING 2: It's not
at all how it came earlier.
LADY IN WAITING 1: Oh, yes.
I think he's over there.
Are you all right?
LADY IN WAITING 2:
Ellen, are you coming?
[HAWK CHEEPS]
My love, look at this beauty.
Did you do it?
Huh?
WORKER: Put your hand
on that reel, I baited it.
Anne Askew.
Did they burn her?
What, the preacher woman?
[GRUNTS AND GROANS]
That's Gardiner's business.
[GROANS]
He would never do anything
without asking you first.
Oh, Kit.
What's this woman to you?
She was a radical.
She deserted her husband,
her children.
She was a fanatic preaching...
Her death is on your soul.
What?
What?
[WHIMPERS]
[HAWK SQUAWKING]
James! James!
Take the hawk. What?
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry. I don't know...
I don't know
what came over me.
She was a childhood...
Shh.
Friend from childhood.
Shh.
You confused me.
[SOFTLY] Forgive me.
Shh.
[MUMBLES] Forgive me.
Don't question us.
And don't speak of our soul.
Anne Askew wanted
the King dead.
Is that what you want? No.
No. Goodness, not.
Good.
Good.
[KATHERINE BREATHES HEAVILY]
Good.
Please forgive me.
You confused me.
When was the last time
you saw her?
I really don't know.
It was a long time ago.
[BREATHES HEAVILY]
[SOFTLY] You don't...
You don't... You don't want
any harm to come to me, do you?
[SOFTLY] No. No.
You don't want to hurt me?
No, never.
[EXHALES]
Good.
It's me and my silly mind.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Let's begin again.
Mm.
Ellen, Maud. Come.
[SNIFFLES]
[GROANS]
[BREATHES HEAVILY]
What's this?
Is this your responsibility?
Your Majesty.
This is the King's table.
We're...
We're not pigs, are we?
ELLEN: No, Katherine.
Here, leave that.
The boy will do that.
Quickly!
The Queen has asked it
to be tidy!
Leave that,
that's not for you to do.
It's all right.
ELLEN: Quickly.
LADY IN WAITING:
No need to help.
[CLATTERING]
Here, clear that up.
KATHERINE: I'm terribly sorry.
LADY IN WAITING:
Let's leave, shall we?
Put that down. Oh.
CAT: Shall we leave?
LADY IN WAITING: Katherine.
CAT: Katherine, let's go,
shall we?
Yes.
[HAWKS CALLING]
[HENRY PRAYING IN LATIN]
[BOTH PRAYING IN LATIN]
You've such a lively mind.
And it's led you too far.
[KATHERINE CONTINUES IN LATIN]
We'll help guide you.
Pay more attention.
Louder.
[CONTINUES PRAYING IN LATIN]
Amen.
[HENRY SPEAKS LATIN]
[PRAYING IN LATIN]
[HENRY PRAYING IN LATIN]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[GARDINER PRAYING IN LATIN]
[SINGING IN LATIN]
[]
[SPEAKS LATIN]
[SIGHS]
[ELIZABETH CLEARS THROAT]
often angry with you?
No.
It's just that the pain
in his leg sometimes...
makes him a bit vulnerable.
[CHUCKLES]
He will kill me
like he did my mother.
He would never do that to you.
I never know
what he's going to do,
I never know
what he's thinking.
He will never break you.
Do you hear me?
Ever.
Your Majesty,
for this evening we have
the venison pie with oranges
and strawberries
with beef olives.
Quieten down.
[CHUCKLING]
MAN: Yes, Your Majesty.
PAGE:
In front of you we have
goose eggs and quail eggs...
Jack.
...and behind that we have
pheasant and quail.
I want to eat her.
To the right we have
some more pheasant and quail
with a selection of cheese
at the end.
Baked apples, pork pie
and a selection of fruit
including grapes,
strawberries and oranges.
You have a cheese selection.
We have...
we have, uh, the civet of hare
to the right hand side
of the table
as well as an array
of fruit and vegetables.
[GIGGLING]
PAGE: And another selection
of cheeses
as well as more quail
and pheasant.
[GIGGLING]
We also have,
as I said before...
The most beautiful one...
Mm.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Fine teeth.
Ooh, fine teeth.
[GIGGLES]
Mm.
[SNIFFS]
Mm.
Mm-hmm.
[LAUGHS, GASPS]
Ooh. [GIGGLES]
Shh.
PAGE: To the right of that
we have the creamed fish
and loin of veal.
Turn slowly.
We have
the roasted suckling pig
and obviously
a selection of wines
for you to choose from.
Which one shall...
This.
Of course, Your Majesty.
[AGNES GIGGLES]
Allow me to test it first.
HENRY: No need.
We want...
our wife to test it.
Try it.
[CHATTERING STOPS]
[CHAIR THUDS]
[HENRY CHUCKLES]
Is it good? [CHUCKLING]
It lacks a bit of salt.
[LAUGHS]
[ALL LAUGH]
HENRY: Salt!
My dear, my dear!
Who's this beautiful girl?
I haven't seen her before.
Is she from London?
Are you jealous?
Are you jealous?
What's your name, darling?
[GIGGLES]
Your Majesty,
my name is Agnes Howard.
You have a most
extraordinary voice.
Doesn't she?
Can you sing?
[LAUGHING]
Stop laughing!
Of course you can.
What's your favorite song?
Il bianco e dolce cigno.
[CHUCKLES] Perfect.
[AGNES GIGGLES]
Go on.
[AGNES CLEARS THROAT]
HENRY: Wicked.
KATHERINE:
Up here. Don't be nervous.
[CLEARS THROAT]
[INSTRUMENT PLAYING]
[SINGING IN ITALIAN]
She's luminous, isn't she?
[SINGING CONTINUES]
Blow thy horn, hunter
And blow thy horn on high
There is a doe
In yonder woods
In faith she will not die
MEN:
Now blow
Blow thy horn, hunter
Now blow thy...
[COUGHING]
HENRY: Will!
Well, there was a chick...
[ALL LAUGHING]
...who had a fit
and ran right round the room!
The hunter stuck him
with his horn
and blew him to the moon!
[LAUGHING CONTINUES]
ALL:
Now blow thy horn hunter
Now blow thy horn
Jolly hunter
Now blow thy horn, hunter
HENRY: It's Will Summer's turn!
Now blow thy horn
Jolly hunter
Now blow thy horn
Jolly hunter
Now blow thy horn
Jolly hunter
Stop!
[LADY IN WAITING COUGHS]
HENRY [GROANS]:
Oh, God, I need to piss.
[LADY IN WAITING
RETCHING AND COUGHING]
Poor woman.
You have food
coming out of your nose.
[LAUGHING]
[CONTINUES COUGHING]
HENRY:
Food coming out of her nose!
Have some more.
WILL [LAUGHS]:
Please, have some more!
[HENRY GRUNTS]
[BREATHING HEAVILY, GROANING]
[SCREAMS]
My leg!
[GROANS]
Curse these legs.
[SIGHS]
Fuck! Oh, these legs.
[SIGHS SOFTLY] God's sake.
Come here.
Oh, these legs! Leave me!
[HENRY BREATHES HEAVILY]
[MOANING]
...eight, nine and...
Stop turning! Ten!
JALIDA: Your mother told you
of the first
Catherine's troubles?
I came with her
from Alcala de Henares
and saw how his eyes lit up
whenever he saw her.
Though in the end,
it meant nothing.
When that other one
caught his eye
he got rid of Catalina.
He ordered poisons
into her food
that burned her
from the inside.
Even now
the smell of nightshade
reminds me of the effect
on her poor body.
All swollen and red.
A horror you don't forget.
KATHERINE:
Oh, Lord, Jesus Christ,
King of Kings and son of God.
With humble hearts
we beseech you,
look down upon us
and fill us with the grace
of your holy spirit.
GARDINER: Would you like me
to hear your confession?
I'm quite happy alone.
I've always been impressed
by your ability
to compose your own prayers.
Just personal devotions.
[SCOFFS]
And yet you believe
that priests are insufficient.
Of course not.
May we walk
in the path of righteousness.
Keep us from ignorance.
[GRUNTS]
Fill our hearts with...
You know, even for priests,
God's work is hard.
[SIGHS]
Rooting out heresy.
It's a heavy burden.
Weighs on me.
Because if I fail, then...
how many more
will become infected?
How many more
will have to burn?
As did your friend,
Anne Askew.
We trusted you, Katherine,
with the stability
of this realm, no less,
when I married you
to the King.
And you make him happy,
I can see that.
Hmm.
In a way
that the others didn't.
You were a good choice.
And you know very well
the situation with regards
to the King's health.
You sleep with him
every night.
So I'm warning you,
there's absolutely no doubt
that what the radicals propose
will trigger chaos.
And your playing around
with the Seymours,
your flirting
with the radicals...
it could endanger
the stability of this realm.
But we can sort this out.
If you let your love
for an old friend
cloud your judgment,
even for a moment,
then confess it now
and together
we will put it right.
Bishop.
What precisely
are you implying?
My conscience...
is clear.
[GARDINER SIGHS SOFTLY]
It would have been better
if you'd confessed.
God will send the proof.
Oh, Lord Jesus,
instruct King Henry
to obey your divine majesty.
Grant him health.
May he shine
with the joy of your blessing.
Grant him strength
to vanquish all his foes
and to be feared by all
the enemies of his realm.
[DOOR CLOSES]
Amen.
KATHERINE:
It's been eight weeks.
Since what?
Since I bled.
Well, that's
the longest you've gone.
Are you going to tell him?
It changes everything.
DOT: We must thank the Lord.
Yes.
We must.
[HENRY COUGHS]
HENRY: Careful.
FARABI: Yes.
[SPEAKS ARABIC]
[SCREAMS] Oh! Your hand!
[FARABI SPEAKS ARABIC]
Out!
PAGE: I've warned you.
Out!
Will you allow me...
Shut up!
HENRY:
I want Katherine to do it.
Katherine.
I want you to do it.
FARABI: But, Your Majesty,
this procedure...
Stop!
KATHERINE: You want me to do it?
Of course.
[KATHERINE GRUNTS]
Careful.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
[GULPS]
Why are you laughing?
Is it funny?
Why are you laughing?
I think I might be pregnant.
[CHUCKLES]
[EXHALES]
[CLEARS THROAT]
It!
[GASPS]
[CHUCKLING]
When my brother comes,
you promise
you'll love me more?
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
The most.
[GRUNTING]
EDWARD:
I don't want a brother.
ELIZABETH [CHUCKLES]:
Me neither.
Say good night.
Good night, Carlos.
[CARLOS SQUAWKS]
[GOATS BLEATING]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
Which of your ladies handles
the Queen's linens?
ATTENDANT:
I do.
Is the Queen's blood regular?
No.
Search the trousseau.
MAN: With pleasure, sir.
ATTENDANT: No, don't touch.
LORD EDWARD: Herbert!
ATTENDANT: Stop that!
[DOG BARKING]
EDWARD:
Count them.
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
Do continue.
Morning, Kit.
KATHERINE: Morning.
Do you feel it's a boy?
I...
We know of a woman in Devon.
Fetch her.
She will lay her hands on you
and tell us
if it's a boy and if he's strong
long before...
Long before you even
show anything.
Are you done, Seymour?
There. All complete.
All clean.
Good. Leave us.
[CARLOS SQUAWKS]
We'll be alone with my wife.
[CARLOS SQUAWKS]
Shut up.
Take the King of Spain
to our chambers.
The Queen must have peace.
[SQUAWKING]
Quiet.
[GROANS]
[KATHERINE SIGHS]
Seymour, always...
[MIMICKING WHISPERING]
...whispering in corridors,
you noticed?
Is that so?
Mm.
He thinks because his nephew
is my son,
our heir,
that one day he'll be King...
in all but name.
[MUMBLING]
KATHERINE: It doesn't matter.
HENRY: Mm.
[DOG BARKS]
Soon, you'll have another son.
MAN:
Is it a boy? Is it a girl?
It's a boy! [CHUCKLES]
Is it a boy?
[WHISPERS]
It's a boy.
[KATHERINE CHUCKLES]
It's a boy!
You clever girl.
WOMAN: We have a boy!
You clever girl.
DENNY: James Barnham, heresy.
Nicholas Belenian, heresy.
William Boweth
and William Harpin,
counterfeiting.
Adam Darnlip, treason.
Joan Edling,
clipping the King's coins.
Thomas Fiennes, murder.
Margaret Pole, Henry Pole,
Arthur Pole, heresy.
They will all be executed
by the end of this month
in the year of our Lord 1546.
They're all guilty of crimes
against our King Henry,
who, by the grace of God,
is the King of England,
France, Ireland,
and Defender of the Faith.
[COURTIERS CHEERING]
Quiet for the King!
We have amended our will.
We name Queen Katherine
regent to our son,
Prince Edward, should he,
God forbid, be called to our
throne before he is a man.
[SPEAKS LATIN]
The Queen!
COURTIERS: The Queen!
[CLAPPING]
GARDINER: Contraband books
continue to be smuggled
into the country, My Lord.
What?
These are works expressly
banned by Your Majesty.
Passages from the English Bible.
Thank you.
Heretical texts
from the Swiss confederacy.
Zwingli and Calvin
to name but two.
And fanatics
have even been found
who sew pamphlets
into their clothes.
[SOFTLY] Ridiculous.
[GARDINER CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
They are that determined
to undermine your authority
and I fear that the changes
to Your Majesty's Will
may have perhaps
fanned the flames.
Are you questioning
our judgment, Stephen?
I merely draw attention
to the implications, My Lord.
It's one thing to put a wife on
the throne when you're abroad,
but it's quite another
to trust a woman,
particularly one
with increasingly
erroneous opinions,
with the future of this realm.
The future of this realm
could well be in her tummy.
Yes, absolutely.
Let's hope so.
I... I worry only for
the stability of your Kingdom.
Good.
Leave us. We're done here.
[HENRY LAUGHS]
LORD EDWARD: Oh, well done.
Well done!
Did he really hit some?
Your hat, you do this
and your hat stands still.
[ELIZABETH LAUGHS]
[ALL GROAN]
LORD EDWARD: Misjudged it.
[CHEERING]
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
[GRUNTS]
Huh.
How is our...
heir?
Very well.
Are you winning?
Of course.
[LAUGHS]
Even with these wretched legs.
[GRUNTS]
[GRUNTS]
[MEN GROAN]
HENRY: Give it to me.
KATHERINE: You called for me?
Yes.
We wanted your thoughts.
That preacher you were
so fond of...
Anne Askew,
has come back to bite us.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Gardiner says
he has heard rumors
she was given
an enormous sum
before her arrest.
One of her disciples
fled with it.
It's already being used
to plot insurrection
against us.
I would question
why a man of his authority
would base his beliefs
on rumors.
Nonetheless.
And who would give her
such a large amount of money?
Who?
Who indeed?
A wealthy donor.
[SNIFFLES]
A noble.
[CHUCKLES]
HENRY: Oh! Shot!
[CHUCKLES]
I'm sure no one would dare.
[CHUCKLES]
No, quite.
One would think...
[CHUCKLES]
They know what would happen.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
We would have to have
their head cut off.
I'm sure you would
come up with something
much more creative.
Sometimes,
we think you know us better
than we know ourself.
HENRY: Not my money,
I hope, you're betting with.
Individual bets, is that
what was agreed? I think so.
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
[MEN GROAN]
[MAN 1 GROANS]
[CROWD CHEERING]
[MAN 2 GROANING]
[CROWD CONTINUES CHEERING]
[WOMEN GIGGLING]
[ALL LAUGHING DELIRIOUSLY]
[DISTORTED NEIGHING]
[CROWD EXCLAIMS]
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
[FESTIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
It makes me think of the time
when you danced the "green man."
And you did it
with such grace.
I wish that you and I
could have a dance.
Shut up. You're making it worse.
[SNIFFLES]
I see your friend is back.
Thomas Seymour!
Thomas Seymour!
Your Majesty.
Would you dance with the Queen?
I'm sure Her Highness
wouldn't want that.
No, no, she wants to dance.
Come along.
[PEOPLE CHATTERING, LAUGHING]
[MUSIC STOPS]
[RHYTHMIC MUSIC PLAYING]
THOMAS:
One of Anne Askew's followers
found me in Flanders.
Apparently,
you gave Anne quite a gift.
How could you take such a risk
to give her a necklace
Henry gave you?
What is the point
of me being Queen
if I don't have the courage
of my convictions?
It's not about conviction,
it's careless!
You must be more careful.
[RHYTHMIC MUSIC
CONTINUES PLAYING]
HENRY [SHOUTS]:
Where is the Queen?
Fetch the Queen.
[GROANING]
[SHOUTS] Katherine!
Keep him still!
[BURPS]
[GROANING AND YELLING]
Katherine!
[MUFFLED PAGE
YELLING INDISTINCTLY]
[PAGE LAUGHING
AND SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
HENRY:
Shut up. Shut up, you fool!
Now go. Go.
Get my drink and go.
[BREATHLESS] All of you, go.
[GROANS, BREATHES HEAVILY]
All of you! [BURPS]
[BREATHLESS] Lock the door.
[GROANS]
Did you enjoy your dancing?
Huh?
KATHERINE: You know I didn't.
You look flushed.
[CLEARS THROAT]
What were you whispering
to Thomas?
And what do you see
when I'm on top of you?
And your eyes are closed?
Thomas or God?
You.
[LAUGHS]
Mm. Mm.
[KATHERINE CLEARS THROAT]
[HENRY BREATHES HEAVILY]
You need... I think...
Is this child ours?
I think you need to rest.
Is this child ours?
Of course, what are you d...
Of course!
Is this child ours?
Of course it's your...
[LAUGHS]
...child!
Are you lying?
Why do you ask?
[LAUGHS] Are you lying?
[SHOUTS] Of course I'm not!
Are you a liar?
Your-- Stop it!
Are you a liar?
[SHOUTS]
Are you a fucking liar?
No, I... I have never lied!
In the eyes of God,
I've never lied to you!
It's your child!
Why should we believe you?
[KATHERINE BREATHING HEAVILY]
Why should we believe you?
[WHISPERING]
What are you saying...
Are you just like
all the others?
You know...
[SHOUTS] You're like the others!
No, Henry, Henry!
No, not now. No, not now.
[HENRY GRUNTS]
No... Just... Stop it.
[KATHERINE GROANS]
Get off me!
[HENRY GRUNTS]
[GRUNTS LOUDLY]
[KATHERINE GROANS]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[GROANS]
Henry, please, the child.
Henry... Stop it!
[GRUNTING LOUDLY]
[KATHERINE GROANING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Stay there.
Stay there.
Stop...
[KATHERINE YELLS]
Stay there!
[HENRY GRUNTS]
No!
Lie still!
[YELLING]
[FLESH SQUELCHES]
[SCREAMS] My leg!
[CRIES] My leg!
[YELLS]
[HENRY SCREAMING]
[KATHERINE BREATHES HEAVILY]
Henry?
He fell! He fell!
[HENRY BREATHES HEAVILY]
MAN 1: Henry?
MAN 2: Send for a doctor!
MAN 1: Farabi!
MAN 2: Farabi, anyone?
[PEOPLE CLAMORING]
MAN 1: Quickly!
[KATHERINE GRUNTS]
[KATHERINE SNIFFLING]
[KATHERINE GROANS SOFTLY]
[COUGHS]
Quick. Get the door.
Oh, Lord. Please let
the child be unharmed.
Just bring Edward to my rooms.
[GRUNTS]
If you're gonna clean...
FARABI:
How long has he been like this?
MAN 1: Careful.
MAN 2: More covers.
[HENRY MUTTERING INDISTINCTLY]
HENRY: More!
How long as he been like this?
MAN: Not long.
[HENRY GRUNTING]
GARDINER: Will it pass?
FARABI: We shall see.
LORD EDWARD: Your Majesty...
[SHIVERING]
GARDINER:
Tell me what happened.
Tell me what happened.
Uh...
[STUTTERS]
He was complaining a lot
about his leg outside.
And, um,
today I think he had
a bit too much to drink.
He collapsed.
FARABI: He needs to rest.
Everyone should leave.
Your Majesty?
The infection is spreading.
[HENRY MUMBLING]
We must control it.
FARABI: We must.
If you please, my Lord.
My Lady.
[SOBS]
Please, my Lady,
he needs to rest. Come.
[HENRY CONTINUES MUMBLING]
PAGE: My Lord, please,
he needs his rest.
Gardiner is going
to persuade Mary
to get the King
to change his Will.
MAN 1: Your Majesty.
MAN 2: Your Majesty.
Do you think that if the King
somehow gained the strength
to hold a pen...
Yes?
...then he might not think
too favorably
on you becoming Regent?
I'm Edward's mother
and I'm keeping
a second heir inside of me.
I'm...
I'm surely your best bet.
What, no, no, no.
You are his stepmother.
My sister was his mother.
Yes, but your sister is dead.
MARY [SOFTLY]:
Father?
Father, what did...
What did you mean before?
[HENRY BREATHING HEAVILY]
Do you still want
Katherine as Regent?
Whatever is written
in your will I am...
I am bound by God
to obey but...
We cannot let the realm slip
into the hands of the reformers.
To the Seymours.
The bishop wants me
to hold the throne for Edward.
Perhaps I... I could take us
back to when things...
When things were good.
With Mother, Catalina.
[HENRY MUMBLING]
Catalina.
[IN SPANISH]
[MUMBLES]
[GASPS]
[MUMBLING INDISTINCTLY]
[HENRY MUMBLES]
[MARY SPEAKING]
[MARY PRAYING]
[HENRY GROANS]
[PRAYING]
[PRAYING]
[DOOR OPENS]
[WHISPERING]
Mm-hmm.
His leg oozes with pus,
and it's filling the room
with the smell of death.
How long?
Two days.
Two days.
[YAWNS]
[SNEEZES]
[STRINGS PLUCKING]
[HENRY BREATHING HEAVILY]
[PRAYING IN SPANISH]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[KATHERINE HUMMING TUNE]
[CLEARS THROAT]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Your Majesty,
the King's awake.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
KATHERINE: Henry...
Close the door.
No, no, no. No, no!
Henry?
[]
Let me in.
James...
Please...
[DOG WHINES, BARKS]
Mm.
[DOOR OPENS]
[KATHERINE GASPS]
How?
He's a very strong man.
[EXHALES]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[GRUNTING]
No, I can't lose it.
[GROANING]
Just stay in.
Stay in.
[CRIES]
[VOICE BREAKING]
Just stay in!
[GROANING]
[SOBBING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[]
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
[DOOR OPENS]
Your Majesty...
The blood on your linens...
indicates that
the child is lost.
This is fate.
I have watched my Queen,
Catherine of Aragon,
and all his other wives,
surrender and fall.
This must not happen to you.
The King's wound
is deep and relentless.
Eventually, the infection
will take his whole body.
In a month,
perhaps much less.
Was it a boy?
[GRUNTS]
[SHOUTS] Was it male?
[GROANS]
[BREATHES HEAVILY]
I'm so sorry, my Lord.
We really believed...
she loved us enough
to give us a spare.
HENRY: Hmm.
We've been here before,
haven't we?
Yes. Yes.
[VOICE SHAKING] My Lord, I...
[SIGHS]
To remove a wife...
of whom you have grown tired
will not sit well
with your enemies.
It...
It will allow them
to paint you unfairly
as unstable.
MAN: They wouldn't.
Would they dare?
MAN: They wouldn't.
GARDINER: But, but, but, but...
Would they dare?
But it would be different...
if the charge was heresy.
And what...
What harm could there be
in allowing me to pursue
further investigations?
MAN:
Harry, your leg. Farabi, come.
Look.
[HENRY GROANING]
FARABI:
Raise it. Raise it.
Slowly. Slowly and easy.
FARABI: I need Talal al-Waleed
here, please.
[HENRY MOANING]
[ASSISTANT COUGHING]
Hold him.
HENRY [GRITTED TEETH]:
Gardiner, do it.
Find your proof.
Investigate.
[GROANING]
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
ELLEN: Oh, merde.
Would you give us a moment,
Your Highness?
I'll stay.
As you wish.
That's very pretty.
Can I have a word?
I am confident...
that you two, sooner or later,
will make a full confession.
Yes?
Every heretical whisper
the Queen has ever uttered.
Every illegal pamphlet
she's smuggled into the palace.
What contact she had
with that heretic, Anne Askew.
What money she gave.
ELLEN:
There's nothing to confess.
[SOFTLY] Oh?
I've been the Queen's friend
most of my life,
you'll never find anything
to condemn her.
Have you ever considered,
Bishop,
that it may be you
who is in error?
[GARDINER CHUCKLES]
Blessed are ye,
when men shall revile you
and persecute you
and say all manner
of evil against you falsely.
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
No one can deny
that you can both speak
the scriptures very prettily.
But perhaps once...
once this is all over
you will understand
that you have no more business
with the scriptures
than a pig with a saddle.
[MAN LAUGHS]
Better a pig with a saddle
than an ass with a miter.
[LAUGHS]
"An ass with a miter"?
Very good.
Well, I'll leave you
to think about it.
But if you omit even
the smallest detail,
I'll see you burned
alongside your Queen.
And I'm also confident...
that were I to ask,
the King would
give me permission
to question you too,
Your Highness.
[]
Anything that can connect us
to Anne, find it.
LADY IN WAITING 1:
Get the pamphlets.
ELLEN:
Somebody, look under the bed.
LADY IN WAITING 2:
She can't find it.
Ellen...
Here. Did you find it?
Yes, I've looked.
[ELLEN STUTTERS]
LADY IN WAITING 1:
Under the bed! Keep looking!
[PANTING]
Where is it?
Where is it?
What?
The Luther book.
Where's the Luther book?
[WOMEN CHATTERING EXCITEDLY]
Did you throw it in the fire?
Sit down.
[BREATHES HEAVILY]
[ALL PANTING]
Your Majesty,
orders from the King.
We must remove your books.
[OUT OF BREATH, CHUCKLES]
All my books?
GUARD 1: Yes, Your Majesty.
[CARLOS SQUAWKS]
KATHERINE: Stay, stay!
[PANTING]
I have news.
[SCOFFS] You have news?
Good news.
Good news?
Mm-hmm.
My men have found
the necklace.
It's on its way here
from Flanders as we speak.
Once it's returned
to your wardrobe,
you're in the clear.
Wait, you...
You have the necklace.
I have. We found it.
When is it here?
Soon.
Soon you'll have it.
[CHUCKLES] You have it?
We found it.
[SOBBING]
[DOOR CLOSES]
[SOFTLY]
It's going to be all right.
[THOMAS SHUSHING]
It's going to be all right,
Katherine.
GARDINER:
Tell me again,
during the King's absence,
how many times did
the Queen leave the palace?
Only twice.
Oh?
I swear.
She went to pray at the shrine
to the Virgin Mary
on Goyt's Lane.
And you were with her
the whole time?
No, sir.
GARDINER:
No?
Well, only women are permitted.
She told you that, did she?
Yes.
And how long was it,
do you imagine,
that she was
out of your sight?
I don't know, three hours?
Four?
"Hours"?
[SOFTLY] "Hours"?
You saw no one approach her?
No, sir. Not that I recall.
And you are certain
that the Queen
never left the palace
on any other occasion?
No, no one could take a horse
without me knowing,
I would know.
You never heard her speak
of the name Anne Askew?
Never.
GUARD: What of the prisoner?
Your Majesty.
Be assured, Your Majesty,
I will find evidence.
[GROANING AND GRUNTING]
No!
Is she more vicious
than all the others?
Is she more of a vicious whore
than all the others?
We've been here before!
We've been here before.
and we cut you down!
[OBJECTS CLATTER]
We cut them down!
We cut them down!
We cut them down! Didn't we?
Are you testing me?
Are you testing me again?
[MUFFLED] She's the devil!
She's the devil!
Well, I will cut her down!
I am God's deputy!
Do not test me!
MAN: Lord Seymour!
It's beautiful here, isn't it?
LORD EDWARD: Mm.
[MAN COUGHS]
Bishop Gardiner,
he believes
he will find proof
Katherine is a radical.
What do you think?
I think that will be difficult.
Katherine is a passionate
supporter of reform,
but I can't believe
she would...
Her Ladies are loyal?
Well, she gives them
no reason not to be.
They love her.
And what of her love
for your brother?
Surely the Queen's fidelity
is not in question?
The King would owe a lot
to the man who could help him.
My brother Thomas is honorable.
Yours is a close family,
isn't it?
They always said
the Seymours ran together
like a clan of hyenas.
Come.
If you cannot be of use,
we'll send you away.
Your Majesty--
We'll send you away,
and your nephew
will not see you.
Edward's our son.
He'll forget his mother's name.
Your name.
Help yourself.
[MEN CHEERING, APPLAUDING]
[HENRY EXCLAIMS AND LAUGHS]
HERBERT: Oh!
Lady Will!
[MEN LAUGHING]
WILL:
La, la, la
HERBERT: So dainty,
so delicate! So hairy!
[MEN CONTINUE LAUGHING]
[WILL CONTINUES SINGING]
KATHERINE:
Have mercy on me, God.
Wash me thoroughly
from my wickedness
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my faults,
and my sin
is for ever before me.
[LAUGHTER IN DISTANCE]
[SIGHS]
THOMAS: Mark, would you take
care of the luggage, please?
And check the horse,
I think it needs re-shoeing.
[WHISTLING]
[CHUCKLES]
What are you doing in here?
Have you heard?
Henry's ready
to sign her death warrant.
He's demanding evidence
against her,
that she betrayed him
in some way or...
or she's a radical.
Now, Tom.
[GRUNTS]
You know how this goes.
Because likely this will be
the end for us too.
[HORSE NEIGHING]
[MAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]
Unless...
Unless what?
He's promised...
What?
He's promised to pardon you
if you can provide
love letters.
[SCOFFS]
Evidence that she
betrayed him with you.
He'll kill me!
No, no, no, no.
I've seen him, Tom. He's sick.
He won't last long,
I've seen it.
Now, I can steer this
for you and me.
But you have
to give me something, Tom.
Please give me anything.
There isn't anything.
There are no letters.
Since she's been with Henry,
she's kept me at arm's length!
Always!
Then we are dead.
But you just remember
our nephew, young Edward.
Because when he becomes King...
we won't be there.
Ed!
Edward!
[]
What?
[THOMAS BREATHES HEAVILY]
[JEWELRY JINGLING]
There is something.
I knew it.
[SOFTLY] Oh, God.
It's a necklace.
[VOICE BREAKING]
She gave it to Anne Askew.
[GASPS] This is perfect!
[OBJECTS CLATTERING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Where's my crown?
[GRUNTS]
WILL:
There were three ravens
Sat in a tree
Down de-down
Hay down, hay down
They were as black
As they might be
MEN:
With a down...
WILL:
Then one of them said
To his mate
Where shall we
Our breakfast take?
MEN:
With a down
Derry, derry, derry
Down, down
Down in yonder green...
[HENRY COUGHING]
[ELLEN SHIVERING]
[HENRY GRUNTS]
[KATHERINE BREATHES HEAVILY]
[GASPS]
Henry?
How I've missed you.
No.
No more lies, Kit.
[EXHALES]
[BREATHES DEEPLY]
[KATHERINE BREATHES HEAVILY]
No more lies.
[KATHERINE CONTINUES
BREATHING HEAVILY]
[]
GARDINER: Your Majesty...
[WOMAN SHRIEKS]
...Katherine Parr,
Queen of England and Ireland.
Henry!
Katherine Willoughby Brandon,
Duchess of Suffolk.
Ellen Calthorpe,
Countess of Sussex...
Get off me.
...I arrest you
in the name of the King.
Anything in the Queen's
apartments
is now and has always been
the property of the Crown.
We will escort you
from these rooms,
and install you in other
more appropriate lodgings
until we have discovered
the full scope of your crimes.
It was my duty to arrest you,
but the final decision
of what to do with you
remains with the King.
Don't!
[CELL DOOR CLOSES]
DENNY: It's cold.
Let's get you up, Harry.
[HENRY GROANS]
That's it.
It's done, Harry.
[MAN STUTTERS]
You know it had to be done.
Oh, Harry.
It's done.
Onwards, hmm?
[SNIFFLES]
[GROANS]
[DOG BARKING]
[WHINING]
[WHISTLING TUNE]
[DENNY CHUCKLING]
Lord, give me courage.
I don't have Anne's strength.
If I do the wrong thing,
correct me...
[DOOR OPENS]
...but please
don't send me to my enemy.
Shh.
You still think of me
as your enemy, don't you?
But I warned you that
God would provide the proof.
Cat and Ellen are innocent.
What you want is me.
Oh, Katherine.
What do I want?
You admit that...
you met with the heretic
Anne Askew,
and that you financed sedition
against the King.
You will let them go.
All that remains now is...
I want your word.
...to recant
the dangerous heresy
that you've allowed
to seduce you.
Throw yourself
at the King's feet
and beg for forgiveness.
He showed
precious little mercy
to his other wives, but...
he's older now.
Wiser, perhaps.
You're asking me
to speak falsely.
[SOFTLY] Oh, Kat.
But I believe just as Anne did
that scripture
is the highest authority.
God will never have intended
for anything
to stand between him
and his people.
Not a bishop, not a priest,
not even a king.
Then you will burn.
[HENRY BREATHES DEEPLY]
Why are you so solemn?
Sing. Sing for me.
LORD EDWARD: Edward,
do what your father says.
Please,
I don't want to.
Sing!
Here.
[GRUNTS]
When I was your age
I was singing, dancing...
LORD EDWARD [WHISPERS]:
Sing for the King.
[HENRY GRUNTS]
Sing.
[SHOUTS]
What's the matter with you?
He misses his mother.
Where is she?
Are you simple?
Your mother's dead.
He means Queen Katherine.
[HENRY BREATHES HEAVILY]
She your mother too?
And yours?
ELIZABETH:
She loves us all like a mother.
[HENRY BREATHES HEAVILY]
ELIZABETH:
Unlike you.
Take me away.
You all disgust me.
Disgusting. Take me away.
Away!
I don't want
to see them any more,
don't want to look at them.
LORD EDWARD:
This way, quickly.
Quickly.
MARY: You must be careful
how you speak.
Do you want our father
to send you away?
As he did me?
As he did my mother? [SCOFFS]
Passed from prison castle
to prison castle
as her limbs stiffened...
[CHUCKLES]
Why are you laughing?
He let her rot...
[CHUCKLES]
...Elise.
Do you remember the last time
I saw my mother?
No? No.
[SOFTLY] No.
[MARY SOBS SOFTLY]
Nor do I.
[MUFFLED CAT AND ELLEN PRAYING]
Cat!
Ellen!
[MUFFLED PRAYING CONTINUES]
Cat!
[SOBBING]
[MUFFLED CAT AND ELLEN
SCREAMING]
KATHERINE [DISTORTED]:
Ellen? Cat?
Cat!
[RAIN PATTERING]
KATHERINE: Ellen!
Cat!
[MOANS]
[MUMBLING INDISTINCTLY]
[BREATHES WEAKLY]
That's it.
[BREATHING WEAKLY]
[PRAYING IN LATIN]
[BOTH PRAYING]
[BREATHING WEAKLY]
[CONTINUES PRAYING]
[GARDINER CONTINUES PRAYING]
[CONTINUES BREATHING WEAKLY]
[KATHERINE GRUNTING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Your bath, My Lady.
It's time.
[KATHERINE SHIVERING]
It's all right.
Come.
It's all right. Come, child.
It's cold.
Come.
[KATHERINE SHIVERING]
Sit.
[]
[DOOR OPENS]
[]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[CONTINUES BREATHING HEAVILY]
GUARD:
Your Majesty, please follow me.
KING'S MAN:
Your Majesty,
the King...
the King will
only talk to you.
[DOOR CLOSES]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
What are we gonna
do with you...
Kit?
That's why you
brought me here...
to help you decide?
[HUSHED CHATTER]
[HENRY SIGHS]
We've missed you.
We missed you so much.
[HENRY BREATHES DEEPLY]
Oh.
Oh.
Do you love me?
[STAGGERED BREATHING]
Do you love me, Kit?
I've loved my King.
[STRAINED]
That's not what I asked.
[GASPS] I love you.
I love you.
Do you believe in hell?
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
I think we're both
bound for it.
No.
No, Kit.
I'm ready.
[SOFTLY] No.
Are you?
[WEAKLY] No, Kit.
No, Kit.
[STRUGGLED BREATHING]
[KATHERINE GROANS]
[HENRY CHOKING]
[KATHERINE GRUNTING]
[HENRY CHOKING]
[BOTH GRUNTING]
[HENRY GURGLES]
[GRUNTS LOUDLY]
[THROAT CRUSHES]
[GRUNTING RAGGEDLY]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[GRUNTS SOFTLY]
[SNIFFLES]
[SNIFFLING]
[EXHALES]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[SIGHS]
[]
[SQUAWKING]
ELIZABETH:
It was in no one's interest
to question what had happened.
My father's dark heart
was deemed to have stopped.
Overcome by poison
from his ulcerating leg.
His death was kept secret
for more than a week,
while the men around him
fought over
the bones of his will.
His tomb fell to decay
and was lost for 100 years.
After my father's death,
Katherine published her most
daring book of prayers.
It laid the foundations
for a new faith.
Open and tolerant.
There is more than one way
to scorch the earth.
She forged something
in her flames...
and made way
for the tender shoots of hope
to burst forth.
[]
I lost my heart
Under the bridge
To that little girl
So much to me
And now I moan
And now I holler
She'll never know
Just what I found
That blue-eyed girl
That blue-eyed girl
She said, "No more"
She said, "No more"
And that blue-eyed girl
That blue-eyed girl
Became blue-eyed whore
Became blue-eyed whore
Down by the water
Down by the water
I took her hand
I took her hand
Just like my daughter
Just like my daughter
Won't see her again
See her again
Oh, help me, Jesus
Come through this storm
I had to lose her
To do her harm
I heard her holler
I heard her holler
I heard her moan
I heard her moan
My lovely daughter
My lovely daughter
I took her home
I took her home
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming...
[WIND BLOWING]
[DISTANT ANIMALS CALLING]
GIRL: In a rotten,
blood-soaked island Kingdom,
cursed by plague
and riven by religious unrest,
there once was a queen
by the name of Katherine Parr.
She was the sixth wife
of an angry and ailing king.
[INDISTINCT VOICES WHISPERING]
[INHALES]
GIRL: Of the wives
that had gone before,
two were cast out.
One died in childbirth.
And two more had their heads
struck from their bodies,
on the King's order.
Twice a widow but yet
to conceive a child herself,
Queen Katherine gathered
the other wives' children
around her
and loved us as her own.
She was the only mother
I have ever known.
This one needs your signature.
GIRL: The Queen dreamed
of a land free from tyranny.
She believed she could steer
the Kingdom to the light.
And when the King went to war
across the sea,
Queen Katherine
was made regent.
For a moment, it was as though
a great weight had lifted
and a new dawn
was approaching.
[METAL CLANGING]
[WATER SPLASHING]
[EXHALES]
[HORSES WHINNYING]
LADY IN WAITING 1:
Katherine, the horses are ready.
Thank you.
LADY IN WAITING 2:
She was seen near the shrine
to the Virgin Mary yesterday.
The one on Goyt's Lane.
She can't be far from there.
KATHERINE: How far is it?
LADY IN WAITING 2:
It's about a two-hour ride.
LADY IN WAITING 3:
Ellen, where are the hoods?
ELLEN: They're here, look.
LADY IN WAITING 2:
This should fit you, Katherine.
Leave that, Dot.
We must hurry.
[LOCK THUDDING]
[HORSES NEIGHING]
[MEN CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]
[HORSES NICKERING]
[NEIGHING]
[DISTANT HORSES WHINNYING]
Your Majesty?
Only women are allowed
at the shrine.
But, Your Majesty,
we must escort you.
You can't go on your own.
We'll be back before dusk.
GUARD: Here, take the horse.
WOMAN 1: Ten years ago,
our King cast off
the chains of Rome.
He said, "Rid yourselves
of the Pope's Latin,
here is a Bible
in your own language."
And with this act,
our King freed us.
Now, peasant and pauper,
soldier and merchant,
man and woman,
could understand what
the priests chanted at us.
[WOMAN 1 SPEAKING LATIN]
what that means?
CROWD: No.
No? [CHUCKLES]
But you've heard it,
you've heard it
countless times in church.
Better to place your trust
in the Lord
than to place your trust
in princes.
Psalm 118, verse 9.
WOMAN 1: That's right.
You, sir.
If the Bible is English
and not Latin,
you can read it as well
as any priest, could you not?
Of course you can!
[CROWD LAUGHING]
Of course you can!
MAN [CHUCKLES]: Yes.
And you can interpret it
just as well too
because we were not
hearing God.
We were not hearing God
in those sermons,
we were hearing the priest.
[PEOPLE GRUNT IN AFFIRMATION]
Now our bishops
and our lords and our King
do not like that, do they?
Oh, no. Oh, no, they don't.
We have created an appetite
for questioning
His Majesty's church, oh, no!
We have created
an appetite for protest!
"Where will it end?" they cry.
Where will it end.
[SNIFFLES]
[CROWD MURMURING]
If we may question a priest,
what else will we question?
Who else?
Everything.
Anyone.
Last year,
the King and his men
once again banned
the English Bible,
forcing us to obey diktats
in a tongue
we do not understand,
but they cannot dam
the river now.
It is not for those above us
to tell us what to believe!
PEASANT: Hear, hear!
Hear, hear!
Listen to me, now.
It is too late for words,
for petitions.
For gentle persuasion.
We...
We must rise up
and take what is ours.
CROWD: Yes!
Revolution is upon us!
CROWD: Yes!
The King will be with us
or we will go without him!
CROWD: Yes!
We shouldn't be here, should we?
ELLEN:
No, that was treason.
Your Highness, we must go.
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
MAN:
Who's the one to follow?
WOMAN 1: If you cannot read,
we will teach you!
Join us!
What are you doing here?
I heard you were close.
[CHUCKLING]
I had to see you.
Seven years.
ANNE:
Seven years?
Look, I brought you something.
He let you publish
under your own name?
It might not be as radical
as you want it to be,
but it's my writing.
It's what I believe...
and every princess
in every court in Europe
has read it.
Oh?
Well, if it's good enough
for princesses...
ANNE:
Come.
I thought you came
to hear me speak.
To hear treason
against my husband?
Oh, your husband?
The killer you were
forced to marry?
What, do you love him now?
He has never
laid a finger on me.
I've lasted longer than any
of his wives since his first.
He's changed,
he listens to me.
[SIGHS]
He's allowing me to educate
Edward and Elizabeth
in the new faith.
They're the future, Anne.
He's made me regent
whilst he's in France.
[SCOFFS] He puts his wife
on the throne
so that a man cannot take it
when he is gone.
Have you been
allowed to do anything
but sign household bills?
His confidence
in your weakness
is what keeps you safe. Nev...
[COUGHING]
Never in my life
did I think
you would stand here
and tell me the King
just needs to "listen."
Whose side are you on?
I believe that I was chosen.
By God, to change
the King's mind.
[SOFTLY] Kit.
[SIGHS]
Do you think that is all
God planned for you?
[HORSES WHINNYING]
[HORSE NEIGHING]
KATHERINE:
Edward, what are you doing up?
I'm bored, Mama.
[CHUCKLES]
I want to go back
to Hampton Court.
I know. I know.
But right now,
God is testing us.
He sent us the plague
as a proof of our sin,
and that's why we're here.
Let me see.
"He suffered
under Pontius Pilate,
"he was crucified,
died, and buried.
He descended into hell."
You chose the word "hell"?
[CHUCKLES] It's a straight
translation from Matthew.
Yes, but it doesn't say "hell."
It says "Hades."
[CHUCKLES]
Which means the underworld.
It is the very same thing.
Mm-hmm.
But is that the only meaning?
EDWARD: Uncle Thomas!
Edward!
[GROANS]
My Prince, you're so big!
ELIZABETH:
...can mean the devil.
How are you?
I'm bored.
Yes, and in Greek
it means "the unseen."
Think about which one is
the most rich in expression.
Elizabeth,
you have an exceptional mind.
Use it for more
than simple translations.
Did you really go
to that shrine?
Why would I have gone
elsewhere?
Finish that, please.
We found Anne
close to the shrine.
And?
She was preaching
to a large group.
Her following is growing.
[SCOFFING] So what?
She's gonna overthrow
the Church?
She can't be serious.
KATHERINE:
I've never known her not to be.
Is she going to overthrow
the King too?
[SCOFFS SOFTLY]
Of course not.
THOMAS:
Well, she survived this long.
The way she spoke...
it excited me.
THOMAS:
And nobody knows except me.
KATHERINE:
And your brother?
Well, Edward believes
what we believe.
I must return to Antwerp.
I really can't stand it here,
it's so backward and cold.
Well, I've heard there might
be a match for you there.
Mm-hmm.
Maybe.
Mm-hmm.
[SMACKS LIPS]
Her father doesn't
like me, though.
Oh?
But she does.
And what about you?
What does it matter
what I feel?
KATHERINE:
Hmm?
I never had
what I truly wanted.
[KATHERINE GRUNTS]
Neither did I.
Does the King know
you're teaching his daughter
that she can translate
the Bible as she sees fit?
[SIGHS] You know, uh,
Henry trusts me.
He trusts you, does he?
Mm-hmm. He does.
[CLEARS THROAT] Your Majesty.
Remember we have
a Privy Council meeting
tomorrow morning.
Your Majesty.
Katherine, you mustn't speak
with Anne Askew again.
[PRAYING IN LATIN]
Amen.
COUNCIL: Amen.
Amen.
Let's commence with the war.
The King needs more troops
for his French campaign.
I suggest we start recruiting
as of next week.
Four thousand men,
mercenaries if necessary.
It will be expensive.
Then we'll raise the taxes...
[THOMAS CHUCKLES]
...if needed.
The nobles will not like that.
LORD EDWARD: There is enough
trouble in the country,
do we need to cause
more reason for revolt?
GARDINER: My Lord Edward,
can't you Seymours
just cooperate for once?
The nobles will do
what is asked of them.
The King will value
their sacrifice.
Then we are agreed.
So if the Queen would
turn her mind
to domestic matters,
there are reports
that the plague
has followed us to Derbyshire.
Yes, there are too many
who came with us from London.
Anyone who's not essential
must return to their estates.
GARDINER: We cannot have
the King return
to a plague infested palace.
Indeed, the risk is too great.
Good.
My apologies, Your Highness.
Uh, if you'll excuse me.
Before you leave,
I would like to propose
a new commission
to explore the consequences
of having allowed the commoners
to hear the Bible
in their own tongue.
Your Highness, you cannot mean
to reignite that debate, please.
Though it is true
that the country is
of two minds in this matter.
And the King welcomes informed
debate, Bishop Gardiner.
The King left
strict instructions
that no major religious policy
is to be enacted
whilst he is in France.
And you know that very well,
Lord Seymour.
I know you fear anarchy,
Bishop.
So do I.
But I also believe
that the short time
that the commoners were allowed
to hear the Bible in English
may have in fact strengthened
and deepened their devotion.
[SCOFFS] Oh, God's sake.
KATHERINE:
To Henry, to God.
Hear, hear.
[TABLE THUMPING]
[PAGE WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY]
KATHERINE: The King will
be back earlier than expected.
Well, if you'll excuse me,
Your Highness.
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
[CHAIRS SCRAPING]
THOMAS:
Your Majesty.
We need to warn Anne.
She must get away from here.
ELLEN:
The horses are being prepared.
They'll be ready in a minute.
[WHISPERS INDISTINCTLY]
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
Here are the books
you asked for.
Did anyone see you?
No.
Do you want me
to keep it for you?
No.
I won't be searched.
LADY IN WAITING 1:
Please be careful.
[HORSE NEIGHS]
[HORSE NEIGHS]
ANNE:
...to make their bodies useful,
to make their lives
worthwhile!
We refuse
to be taken for fools!
Let us pray, come.
WOMAN 1: Praise the Lord!
PEASANTS: Praise the Lord!
KATHERINE:
You have to leave.
Henry's on his way back.
[SCOFFS]
If they find you here preaching,
they will burn you!
And so be it.
Do you hear me?
I will not hide.
I will not hide!
[COUGHS]
I can see that you're not well.
I'm fine, Kit. I'm fine.
This is what people look like
when they sleep in hard beds
and eat hard food.
[SIGHS]
I'm going further north,
where your husband allows
the Catholic lords
to punish people for speaking
in their own language.
Good people.
Friends killed for preaching
in towns and villages
what you just play at
in the palace.
I will not waste my chance
as you are wasting yours.
[SCOFFS]
What would you have me do?
I would have you pull his head
from his neck.
I would have you bloodied,
your pretty dress ripped,
hands calloused,
covered in mud
over his dead body.
You're not being serious.
No, I know
what you are capable of.
You have to go.
You have to leave.
Do you hear me?
[PEASANTS CONTINUE PRAYING]
[SCOFFS]
[ANNE LAUGHS]
Do you remember
we cried for hours
the night
of your first wedding?
You have to go.
Henry will be looking
for heretics in every corner.
[SOFTLY] I can't.
They're chopping
people's heads off,
burning people,
hear what I'm telling you?
They're burning people.
Come here.
[SOBS]
[SNIFFLES]
Kit.
Sell it.
That will keep you
through the winter.
No.
Take it.
[SOFTLY] I can't.
Take it.
KATHERINE: Hmm.
[BOTH SNIFFLING]
[SIGHS]
MAN: I heard her speak
this morning.
A new woman
passing pamphlets out.
I got one in English!
Oh, I felt fellowship,
I felt faith.
LADY IN WAITING:
"And out of it,
"a young lady
to come was seen.
"Of winsomest mien,
of stature fine and thin,
"and bright as though a moon
"of the fourteenth night
she had been,
"or the sun raining
lively sheen.
"She rose like the morn
as she shone
through the night..."
[CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]
The Great Hall
looks beautiful.
The tables have been set,
the flowers arranged.
And was it aired?
It needs to be aired before.
It has all been taken care of.
ELLEN: Van Wilder's musicians
are setting up downstairs.
Right.
And what about the new piece?
They've managed it,
been rehearsing all night.
Good.
LADY IN WAITING 1: Oh, merde!
Oh, he's here! He's early!
LADY IN WAITING 2: Oh! Oh, no!
Gather everyone.
PAGE: His Majesty will be
retiring to his chambers,
he asks
that you meet him there.
He does not want
any feasts or celebration.
[FLUTE PLAYING OFF-KEY]
[HENRY SNIFFLES]
[SIGHS, GROANS]
Missed you.
You're back
earlier than expected.
Mm.
I'm happy to see you.
You didn't want the feast...
These legs.
...and the music?
These legs are worse.
It's why we came home.
Couldn't get on my horse.
In front of all my men.
It was humiliating.
[BIRD SQUAWKS]
What's that?
We brought you a gift.
[BIRD SQUAWKS]
[CHUCKLES]
We named it Carlos.
[SQUAWKS]
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Feed it.
Carlos?
You brought home
the Emperor of Spain?
Mm. He's about as useful.
Feed it.
[SOFTLY] Ah, he's so gentle.
[CHUCKLES]
We're proud of you.
You were an excellent regent.
We thank you.
Did you enjoy it?
I wish I could have done more.
Mm, I bet.
The plague is getting worse.
Mm.
Deaths are increasing in London.
Yes.
I think it might be best
if we postpone our journey.
Yes, yes. We're staying.
We're staying.
Mm.
I'm back now.
I'm home
and you don't need to worry
your little head about it
anymore.
Dr. Farabi is here, Harry.
[HENRY MUMBLES]
Farabi, you wretched snatch.
Your Majesty.
It is lovely
to have you here back.
Oh. Such a magnificent liar.
FARABI: How are we feeling?
[SIGHS]
[LAUGHING]
[SIGHS]
The French damp got in
and stayed.
Ten years
and it still hasn't healed.
Will you allow me
to take a look?
Yeah.
MAN: Harry.
[GROANS]
Gently.
[BREATHES DEEPLY]
[CARLOS SQUAWKING]
[MUFFLED GROANING]
[CONTINUES GROANING]
FARABI: This does not
look good, Your Majesty.
I'm afraid I have to clean it.
[HENRY GROANS]
[HENRY GRUNTS, BREATHES HEAVILY]
[SOFTLY] Wait.
[KATHERINE CLEARS THROAT]
[GRUNTING]
What is this,
what are you doing?
Um, it's... it's my book.
You like the new cover?
Another prayer book?
It's the same.
It's done rather well.
I have ordered
a new edition, just...
making a few changes.
You published your book now.
Why must... Why must you
insist on writing more?
Hmm?
You must be careful.
Always to hold the line.
Don't push too hard.
I'm God's deputy.
And won't be patron
to heretics.
You understand, don't you?
HENRY: This boar was the size
of a wagon with four wheels,
I kid you not.
[LORDS LAUGH]
HENRY: On this Ascension Day,
we welcome our daughter
and pearl...
Mary.
No, no. Get up.
Lady Jalida Marquez.
Your Majesty.
You look the same as you did
the day you arrived from Spain.
We remember.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Ho!
Come on, Harry.
Come and play something.
No, no, no.
Come on.
Oh, all right. Just one.
NOBLEMAN 1: See?
NOBLEMAN 2: Sing and play.
He's been practicing
all morning.
[MARY GIGGLES]
[HENRY SIGHS]
This was highly unexpected.
[CROWD CHUCKLES]
[PLAYING VIRGINALS]
Pastimes with good company
I love
And shall until I die
MEN: Grudge who lust
But none deny
So God be pleased
Thus live will I
For my pastance
Hunt, sing and dance
My heart is set
All goodly sport
For my comfort
Who shall me let?
HENRY: Everybody.
ALL: Youth must have
Some dalliance
Of good
Or ill some pastance
Company methinks them best
[LAUGHS]
All thoughts and fancies
To digest
For idleness
Is chief mistress
Of vices
[GARDINER PRAYS IN LATIN]
Amen.
ALL: Amen.
Amen. [SNIFFLES]
[MAN SPEAKING LATIN]
I'd almost forgotten
what it's like to be in court.
It's nice to have you back.
We must band together against
the madness of these times.
We're family, after all.
This preacher woman...
Anne Askew.
Did she confess
before the end?
No, she didn't break.
Oh.
She kept quoting the Bible.
She said that it speaks
of equality for all men.
Will! Less.
Well, did she say anything?
Well, when she was asked
if the Holy Spirit holds
a higher authority
than the King,
she refused to answer.
Again and again.
Refused?
[LAUGHS] Yes.
It is safe, Your Majesty.
Do you have a knife?
Yes. Misguided but...
impressive in its way.
Were there many more of them?
She was arrested
with some of her followers,
a few managed to escape
to the continent, apparently.
MARY: Katherine.
We'll find them.
Katherine.
What are those?
Uh...
HENRY: Can't have heretics.
Spreading division...
Blue cherries.
...dissent.
GARDINER: They cannot evade
us much longer.
And each one we burn,
well, that serves as a...
as a warning for the others,
doesn't it?
The ham is excellent.
[HAWK CALLING]
[PEOPLE LAUGH]
Well?
[CHEEPS]
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
She was arrested
a couple of days
after you saw her.
Some of our people
are escaping to Flanders.
It can't have been her.
She was arrested,
tortured and then burned
on orders of the King.
She's gentry.
It's against the law.
Apparently,
she sewed paper and stuffed
gunpowder into her gown
so she would burn faster.
[GROANS SOFTLY]
[DOGS BARKING]
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
Get up, for God's sake.
Stand up.
We need to be careful.
This is becoming
extremely dangerous.
Katherine, I pray
no one saw you there that day.
[MAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]
[HAWKS CALLING]
LADY IN WAITING 1:
...to our call.
LADY IN WAITING 2: It's not
at all how it came earlier.
LADY IN WAITING 1: Oh, yes.
I think he's over there.
Are you all right?
LADY IN WAITING 2:
Ellen, are you coming?
[HAWK CHEEPS]
My love, look at this beauty.
Did you do it?
Huh?
WORKER: Put your hand
on that reel, I baited it.
Anne Askew.
Did they burn her?
What, the preacher woman?
[GRUNTS AND GROANS]
That's Gardiner's business.
[GROANS]
He would never do anything
without asking you first.
Oh, Kit.
What's this woman to you?
She was a radical.
She deserted her husband,
her children.
She was a fanatic preaching...
Her death is on your soul.
What?
What?
[WHIMPERS]
[HAWK SQUAWKING]
James! James!
Take the hawk. What?
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry. I don't know...
I don't know
what came over me.
She was a childhood...
Shh.
Friend from childhood.
Shh.
You confused me.
[SOFTLY] Forgive me.
Shh.
[MUMBLES] Forgive me.
Don't question us.
And don't speak of our soul.
Anne Askew wanted
the King dead.
Is that what you want? No.
No. Goodness, not.
Good.
Good.
[KATHERINE BREATHES HEAVILY]
Good.
Please forgive me.
You confused me.
When was the last time
you saw her?
I really don't know.
It was a long time ago.
[BREATHES HEAVILY]
[SOFTLY] You don't...
You don't... You don't want
any harm to come to me, do you?
[SOFTLY] No. No.
You don't want to hurt me?
No, never.
[EXHALES]
Good.
It's me and my silly mind.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Let's begin again.
Mm.
Ellen, Maud. Come.
[SNIFFLES]
[GROANS]
[BREATHES HEAVILY]
What's this?
Is this your responsibility?
Your Majesty.
This is the King's table.
We're...
We're not pigs, are we?
ELLEN: No, Katherine.
Here, leave that.
The boy will do that.
Quickly!
The Queen has asked it
to be tidy!
Leave that,
that's not for you to do.
It's all right.
ELLEN: Quickly.
LADY IN WAITING:
No need to help.
[CLATTERING]
Here, clear that up.
KATHERINE: I'm terribly sorry.
LADY IN WAITING:
Let's leave, shall we?
Put that down. Oh.
CAT: Shall we leave?
LADY IN WAITING: Katherine.
CAT: Katherine, let's go,
shall we?
Yes.
[HAWKS CALLING]
[HENRY PRAYING IN LATIN]
[BOTH PRAYING IN LATIN]
You've such a lively mind.
And it's led you too far.
[KATHERINE CONTINUES IN LATIN]
We'll help guide you.
Pay more attention.
Louder.
[CONTINUES PRAYING IN LATIN]
Amen.
[HENRY SPEAKS LATIN]
[PRAYING IN LATIN]
[HENRY PRAYING IN LATIN]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[GARDINER PRAYING IN LATIN]
[SINGING IN LATIN]
[]
[SPEAKS LATIN]
[SIGHS]
[ELIZABETH CLEARS THROAT]
often angry with you?
No.
It's just that the pain
in his leg sometimes...
makes him a bit vulnerable.
[CHUCKLES]
He will kill me
like he did my mother.
He would never do that to you.
I never know
what he's going to do,
I never know
what he's thinking.
He will never break you.
Do you hear me?
Ever.
Your Majesty,
for this evening we have
the venison pie with oranges
and strawberries
with beef olives.
Quieten down.
[CHUCKLING]
MAN: Yes, Your Majesty.
PAGE:
In front of you we have
goose eggs and quail eggs...
Jack.
...and behind that we have
pheasant and quail.
I want to eat her.
To the right we have
some more pheasant and quail
with a selection of cheese
at the end.
Baked apples, pork pie
and a selection of fruit
including grapes,
strawberries and oranges.
You have a cheese selection.
We have...
we have, uh, the civet of hare
to the right hand side
of the table
as well as an array
of fruit and vegetables.
[GIGGLING]
PAGE: And another selection
of cheeses
as well as more quail
and pheasant.
[GIGGLING]
We also have,
as I said before...
The most beautiful one...
Mm.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Fine teeth.
Ooh, fine teeth.
[GIGGLES]
Mm.
[SNIFFS]
Mm.
Mm-hmm.
[LAUGHS, GASPS]
Ooh. [GIGGLES]
Shh.
PAGE: To the right of that
we have the creamed fish
and loin of veal.
Turn slowly.
We have
the roasted suckling pig
and obviously
a selection of wines
for you to choose from.
Which one shall...
This.
Of course, Your Majesty.
[AGNES GIGGLES]
Allow me to test it first.
HENRY: No need.
We want...
our wife to test it.
Try it.
[CHATTERING STOPS]
[CHAIR THUDS]
[HENRY CHUCKLES]
Is it good? [CHUCKLING]
It lacks a bit of salt.
[LAUGHS]
[ALL LAUGH]
HENRY: Salt!
My dear, my dear!
Who's this beautiful girl?
I haven't seen her before.
Is she from London?
Are you jealous?
Are you jealous?
What's your name, darling?
[GIGGLES]
Your Majesty,
my name is Agnes Howard.
You have a most
extraordinary voice.
Doesn't she?
Can you sing?
[LAUGHING]
Stop laughing!
Of course you can.
What's your favorite song?
Il bianco e dolce cigno.
[CHUCKLES] Perfect.
[AGNES GIGGLES]
Go on.
[AGNES CLEARS THROAT]
HENRY: Wicked.
KATHERINE:
Up here. Don't be nervous.
[CLEARS THROAT]
[INSTRUMENT PLAYING]
[SINGING IN ITALIAN]
She's luminous, isn't she?
[SINGING CONTINUES]
Blow thy horn, hunter
And blow thy horn on high
There is a doe
In yonder woods
In faith she will not die
MEN:
Now blow
Blow thy horn, hunter
Now blow thy...
[COUGHING]
HENRY: Will!
Well, there was a chick...
[ALL LAUGHING]
...who had a fit
and ran right round the room!
The hunter stuck him
with his horn
and blew him to the moon!
[LAUGHING CONTINUES]
ALL:
Now blow thy horn hunter
Now blow thy horn
Jolly hunter
Now blow thy horn, hunter
HENRY: It's Will Summer's turn!
Now blow thy horn
Jolly hunter
Now blow thy horn
Jolly hunter
Now blow thy horn
Jolly hunter
Stop!
[LADY IN WAITING COUGHS]
HENRY [GROANS]:
Oh, God, I need to piss.
[LADY IN WAITING
RETCHING AND COUGHING]
Poor woman.
You have food
coming out of your nose.
[LAUGHING]
[CONTINUES COUGHING]
HENRY:
Food coming out of her nose!
Have some more.
WILL [LAUGHS]:
Please, have some more!
[HENRY GRUNTS]
[BREATHING HEAVILY, GROANING]
[SCREAMS]
My leg!
[GROANS]
Curse these legs.
[SIGHS]
Fuck! Oh, these legs.
[SIGHS SOFTLY] God's sake.
Come here.
Oh, these legs! Leave me!
[HENRY BREATHES HEAVILY]
[MOANING]
...eight, nine and...
Stop turning! Ten!
JALIDA: Your mother told you
of the first
Catherine's troubles?
I came with her
from Alcala de Henares
and saw how his eyes lit up
whenever he saw her.
Though in the end,
it meant nothing.
When that other one
caught his eye
he got rid of Catalina.
He ordered poisons
into her food
that burned her
from the inside.
Even now
the smell of nightshade
reminds me of the effect
on her poor body.
All swollen and red.
A horror you don't forget.
KATHERINE:
Oh, Lord, Jesus Christ,
King of Kings and son of God.
With humble hearts
we beseech you,
look down upon us
and fill us with the grace
of your holy spirit.
GARDINER: Would you like me
to hear your confession?
I'm quite happy alone.
I've always been impressed
by your ability
to compose your own prayers.
Just personal devotions.
[SCOFFS]
And yet you believe
that priests are insufficient.
Of course not.
May we walk
in the path of righteousness.
Keep us from ignorance.
[GRUNTS]
Fill our hearts with...
You know, even for priests,
God's work is hard.
[SIGHS]
Rooting out heresy.
It's a heavy burden.
Weighs on me.
Because if I fail, then...
how many more
will become infected?
How many more
will have to burn?
As did your friend,
Anne Askew.
We trusted you, Katherine,
with the stability
of this realm, no less,
when I married you
to the King.
And you make him happy,
I can see that.
Hmm.
In a way
that the others didn't.
You were a good choice.
And you know very well
the situation with regards
to the King's health.
You sleep with him
every night.
So I'm warning you,
there's absolutely no doubt
that what the radicals propose
will trigger chaos.
And your playing around
with the Seymours,
your flirting
with the radicals...
it could endanger
the stability of this realm.
But we can sort this out.
If you let your love
for an old friend
cloud your judgment,
even for a moment,
then confess it now
and together
we will put it right.
Bishop.
What precisely
are you implying?
My conscience...
is clear.
[GARDINER SIGHS SOFTLY]
It would have been better
if you'd confessed.
God will send the proof.
Oh, Lord Jesus,
instruct King Henry
to obey your divine majesty.
Grant him health.
May he shine
with the joy of your blessing.
Grant him strength
to vanquish all his foes
and to be feared by all
the enemies of his realm.
[DOOR CLOSES]
Amen.
KATHERINE:
It's been eight weeks.
Since what?
Since I bled.
Well, that's
the longest you've gone.
Are you going to tell him?
It changes everything.
DOT: We must thank the Lord.
Yes.
We must.
[HENRY COUGHS]
HENRY: Careful.
FARABI: Yes.
[SPEAKS ARABIC]
[SCREAMS] Oh! Your hand!
[FARABI SPEAKS ARABIC]
Out!
PAGE: I've warned you.
Out!
Will you allow me...
Shut up!
HENRY:
I want Katherine to do it.
Katherine.
I want you to do it.
FARABI: But, Your Majesty,
this procedure...
Stop!
KATHERINE: You want me to do it?
Of course.
[KATHERINE GRUNTS]
Careful.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
[GULPS]
Why are you laughing?
Is it funny?
Why are you laughing?
I think I might be pregnant.
[CHUCKLES]
[EXHALES]
[CLEARS THROAT]
It!
[GASPS]
[CHUCKLING]
When my brother comes,
you promise
you'll love me more?
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
The most.
[GRUNTING]
EDWARD:
I don't want a brother.
ELIZABETH [CHUCKLES]:
Me neither.
Say good night.
Good night, Carlos.
[CARLOS SQUAWKS]
[GOATS BLEATING]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
Which of your ladies handles
the Queen's linens?
ATTENDANT:
I do.
Is the Queen's blood regular?
No.
Search the trousseau.
MAN: With pleasure, sir.
ATTENDANT: No, don't touch.
LORD EDWARD: Herbert!
ATTENDANT: Stop that!
[DOG BARKING]
EDWARD:
Count them.
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
Do continue.
Morning, Kit.
KATHERINE: Morning.
Do you feel it's a boy?
I...
We know of a woman in Devon.
Fetch her.
She will lay her hands on you
and tell us
if it's a boy and if he's strong
long before...
Long before you even
show anything.
Are you done, Seymour?
There. All complete.
All clean.
Good. Leave us.
[CARLOS SQUAWKS]
We'll be alone with my wife.
[CARLOS SQUAWKS]
Shut up.
Take the King of Spain
to our chambers.
The Queen must have peace.
[SQUAWKING]
Quiet.
[GROANS]
[KATHERINE SIGHS]
Seymour, always...
[MIMICKING WHISPERING]
...whispering in corridors,
you noticed?
Is that so?
Mm.
He thinks because his nephew
is my son,
our heir,
that one day he'll be King...
in all but name.
[MUMBLING]
KATHERINE: It doesn't matter.
HENRY: Mm.
[DOG BARKS]
Soon, you'll have another son.
MAN:
Is it a boy? Is it a girl?
It's a boy! [CHUCKLES]
Is it a boy?
[WHISPERS]
It's a boy.
[KATHERINE CHUCKLES]
It's a boy!
You clever girl.
WOMAN: We have a boy!
You clever girl.
DENNY: James Barnham, heresy.
Nicholas Belenian, heresy.
William Boweth
and William Harpin,
counterfeiting.
Adam Darnlip, treason.
Joan Edling,
clipping the King's coins.
Thomas Fiennes, murder.
Margaret Pole, Henry Pole,
Arthur Pole, heresy.
They will all be executed
by the end of this month
in the year of our Lord 1546.
They're all guilty of crimes
against our King Henry,
who, by the grace of God,
is the King of England,
France, Ireland,
and Defender of the Faith.
[COURTIERS CHEERING]
Quiet for the King!
We have amended our will.
We name Queen Katherine
regent to our son,
Prince Edward, should he,
God forbid, be called to our
throne before he is a man.
[SPEAKS LATIN]
The Queen!
COURTIERS: The Queen!
[CLAPPING]
GARDINER: Contraband books
continue to be smuggled
into the country, My Lord.
What?
These are works expressly
banned by Your Majesty.
Passages from the English Bible.
Thank you.
Heretical texts
from the Swiss confederacy.
Zwingli and Calvin
to name but two.
And fanatics
have even been found
who sew pamphlets
into their clothes.
[SOFTLY] Ridiculous.
[GARDINER CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
They are that determined
to undermine your authority
and I fear that the changes
to Your Majesty's Will
may have perhaps
fanned the flames.
Are you questioning
our judgment, Stephen?
I merely draw attention
to the implications, My Lord.
It's one thing to put a wife on
the throne when you're abroad,
but it's quite another
to trust a woman,
particularly one
with increasingly
erroneous opinions,
with the future of this realm.
The future of this realm
could well be in her tummy.
Yes, absolutely.
Let's hope so.
I... I worry only for
the stability of your Kingdom.
Good.
Leave us. We're done here.
[HENRY LAUGHS]
LORD EDWARD: Oh, well done.
Well done!
Did he really hit some?
Your hat, you do this
and your hat stands still.
[ELIZABETH LAUGHS]
[ALL GROAN]
LORD EDWARD: Misjudged it.
[CHEERING]
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
[GRUNTS]
Huh.
How is our...
heir?
Very well.
Are you winning?
Of course.
[LAUGHS]
Even with these wretched legs.
[GRUNTS]
[GRUNTS]
[MEN GROAN]
HENRY: Give it to me.
KATHERINE: You called for me?
Yes.
We wanted your thoughts.
That preacher you were
so fond of...
Anne Askew,
has come back to bite us.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Gardiner says
he has heard rumors
she was given
an enormous sum
before her arrest.
One of her disciples
fled with it.
It's already being used
to plot insurrection
against us.
I would question
why a man of his authority
would base his beliefs
on rumors.
Nonetheless.
And who would give her
such a large amount of money?
Who?
Who indeed?
A wealthy donor.
[SNIFFLES]
A noble.
[CHUCKLES]
HENRY: Oh! Shot!
[CHUCKLES]
I'm sure no one would dare.
[CHUCKLES]
No, quite.
One would think...
[CHUCKLES]
They know what would happen.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
We would have to have
their head cut off.
I'm sure you would
come up with something
much more creative.
Sometimes,
we think you know us better
than we know ourself.
HENRY: Not my money,
I hope, you're betting with.
Individual bets, is that
what was agreed? I think so.
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
[MEN GROAN]
[MAN 1 GROANS]
[CROWD CHEERING]
[MAN 2 GROANING]
[CROWD CONTINUES CHEERING]
[WOMEN GIGGLING]
[ALL LAUGHING DELIRIOUSLY]
[DISTORTED NEIGHING]
[CROWD EXCLAIMS]
[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]
[FESTIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
It makes me think of the time
when you danced the "green man."
And you did it
with such grace.
I wish that you and I
could have a dance.
Shut up. You're making it worse.
[SNIFFLES]
I see your friend is back.
Thomas Seymour!
Thomas Seymour!
Your Majesty.
Would you dance with the Queen?
I'm sure Her Highness
wouldn't want that.
No, no, she wants to dance.
Come along.
[PEOPLE CHATTERING, LAUGHING]
[MUSIC STOPS]
[RHYTHMIC MUSIC PLAYING]
THOMAS:
One of Anne Askew's followers
found me in Flanders.
Apparently,
you gave Anne quite a gift.
How could you take such a risk
to give her a necklace
Henry gave you?
What is the point
of me being Queen
if I don't have the courage
of my convictions?
It's not about conviction,
it's careless!
You must be more careful.
[RHYTHMIC MUSIC
CONTINUES PLAYING]
HENRY [SHOUTS]:
Where is the Queen?
Fetch the Queen.
[GROANING]
[SHOUTS] Katherine!
Keep him still!
[BURPS]
[GROANING AND YELLING]
Katherine!
[MUFFLED PAGE
YELLING INDISTINCTLY]
[PAGE LAUGHING
AND SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
HENRY:
Shut up. Shut up, you fool!
Now go. Go.
Get my drink and go.
[BREATHLESS] All of you, go.
[GROANS, BREATHES HEAVILY]
All of you! [BURPS]
[BREATHLESS] Lock the door.
[GROANS]
Did you enjoy your dancing?
Huh?
KATHERINE: You know I didn't.
You look flushed.
[CLEARS THROAT]
What were you whispering
to Thomas?
And what do you see
when I'm on top of you?
And your eyes are closed?
Thomas or God?
You.
[LAUGHS]
Mm. Mm.
[KATHERINE CLEARS THROAT]
[HENRY BREATHES HEAVILY]
You need... I think...
Is this child ours?
I think you need to rest.
Is this child ours?
Of course, what are you d...
Of course!
Is this child ours?
Of course it's your...
[LAUGHS]
...child!
Are you lying?
Why do you ask?
[LAUGHS] Are you lying?
[SHOUTS] Of course I'm not!
Are you a liar?
Your-- Stop it!
Are you a liar?
[SHOUTS]
Are you a fucking liar?
No, I... I have never lied!
In the eyes of God,
I've never lied to you!
It's your child!
Why should we believe you?
[KATHERINE BREATHING HEAVILY]
Why should we believe you?
[WHISPERING]
What are you saying...
Are you just like
all the others?
You know...
[SHOUTS] You're like the others!
No, Henry, Henry!
No, not now. No, not now.
[HENRY GRUNTS]
No... Just... Stop it.
[KATHERINE GROANS]
Get off me!
[HENRY GRUNTS]
[GRUNTS LOUDLY]
[KATHERINE GROANS]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[GROANS]
Henry, please, the child.
Henry... Stop it!
[GRUNTING LOUDLY]
[KATHERINE GROANING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Stay there.
Stay there.
Stop...
[KATHERINE YELLS]
Stay there!
[HENRY GRUNTS]
No!
Lie still!
[YELLING]
[FLESH SQUELCHES]
[SCREAMS] My leg!
[CRIES] My leg!
[YELLS]
[HENRY SCREAMING]
[KATHERINE BREATHES HEAVILY]
Henry?
He fell! He fell!
[HENRY BREATHES HEAVILY]
MAN 1: Henry?
MAN 2: Send for a doctor!
MAN 1: Farabi!
MAN 2: Farabi, anyone?
[PEOPLE CLAMORING]
MAN 1: Quickly!
[KATHERINE GRUNTS]
[KATHERINE SNIFFLING]
[KATHERINE GROANS SOFTLY]
[COUGHS]
Quick. Get the door.
Oh, Lord. Please let
the child be unharmed.
Just bring Edward to my rooms.
[GRUNTS]
If you're gonna clean...
FARABI:
How long has he been like this?
MAN 1: Careful.
MAN 2: More covers.
[HENRY MUTTERING INDISTINCTLY]
HENRY: More!
How long as he been like this?
MAN: Not long.
[HENRY GRUNTING]
GARDINER: Will it pass?
FARABI: We shall see.
LORD EDWARD: Your Majesty...
[SHIVERING]
GARDINER:
Tell me what happened.
Tell me what happened.
Uh...
[STUTTERS]
He was complaining a lot
about his leg outside.
And, um,
today I think he had
a bit too much to drink.
He collapsed.
FARABI: He needs to rest.
Everyone should leave.
Your Majesty?
The infection is spreading.
[HENRY MUMBLING]
We must control it.
FARABI: We must.
If you please, my Lord.
My Lady.
[SOBS]
Please, my Lady,
he needs to rest. Come.
[HENRY CONTINUES MUMBLING]
PAGE: My Lord, please,
he needs his rest.
Gardiner is going
to persuade Mary
to get the King
to change his Will.
MAN 1: Your Majesty.
MAN 2: Your Majesty.
Do you think that if the King
somehow gained the strength
to hold a pen...
Yes?
...then he might not think
too favorably
on you becoming Regent?
I'm Edward's mother
and I'm keeping
a second heir inside of me.
I'm...
I'm surely your best bet.
What, no, no, no.
You are his stepmother.
My sister was his mother.
Yes, but your sister is dead.
MARY [SOFTLY]:
Father?
Father, what did...
What did you mean before?
[HENRY BREATHING HEAVILY]
Do you still want
Katherine as Regent?
Whatever is written
in your will I am...
I am bound by God
to obey but...
We cannot let the realm slip
into the hands of the reformers.
To the Seymours.
The bishop wants me
to hold the throne for Edward.
Perhaps I... I could take us
back to when things...
When things were good.
With Mother, Catalina.
[HENRY MUMBLING]
Catalina.
[IN SPANISH]
[MUMBLES]
[GASPS]
[MUMBLING INDISTINCTLY]
[HENRY MUMBLES]
[MARY SPEAKING]
[MARY PRAYING]
[HENRY GROANS]
[PRAYING]
[PRAYING]
[DOOR OPENS]
[WHISPERING]
Mm-hmm.
His leg oozes with pus,
and it's filling the room
with the smell of death.
How long?
Two days.
Two days.
[YAWNS]
[SNEEZES]
[STRINGS PLUCKING]
[HENRY BREATHING HEAVILY]
[PRAYING IN SPANISH]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[KATHERINE HUMMING TUNE]
[CLEARS THROAT]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Your Majesty,
the King's awake.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
KATHERINE: Henry...
Close the door.
No, no, no. No, no!
Henry?
[]
Let me in.
James...
Please...
[DOG WHINES, BARKS]
Mm.
[DOOR OPENS]
[KATHERINE GASPS]
How?
He's a very strong man.
[EXHALES]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[GRUNTING]
No, I can't lose it.
[GROANING]
Just stay in.
Stay in.
[CRIES]
[VOICE BREAKING]
Just stay in!
[GROANING]
[SOBBING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[]
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
[DOOR OPENS]
Your Majesty...
The blood on your linens...
indicates that
the child is lost.
This is fate.
I have watched my Queen,
Catherine of Aragon,
and all his other wives,
surrender and fall.
This must not happen to you.
The King's wound
is deep and relentless.
Eventually, the infection
will take his whole body.
In a month,
perhaps much less.
Was it a boy?
[GRUNTS]
[SHOUTS] Was it male?
[GROANS]
[BREATHES HEAVILY]
I'm so sorry, my Lord.
We really believed...
she loved us enough
to give us a spare.
HENRY: Hmm.
We've been here before,
haven't we?
Yes. Yes.
[VOICE SHAKING] My Lord, I...
[SIGHS]
To remove a wife...
of whom you have grown tired
will not sit well
with your enemies.
It...
It will allow them
to paint you unfairly
as unstable.
MAN: They wouldn't.
Would they dare?
MAN: They wouldn't.
GARDINER: But, but, but, but...
Would they dare?
But it would be different...
if the charge was heresy.
And what...
What harm could there be
in allowing me to pursue
further investigations?
MAN:
Harry, your leg. Farabi, come.
Look.
[HENRY GROANING]
FARABI:
Raise it. Raise it.
Slowly. Slowly and easy.
FARABI: I need Talal al-Waleed
here, please.
[HENRY MOANING]
[ASSISTANT COUGHING]
Hold him.
HENRY [GRITTED TEETH]:
Gardiner, do it.
Find your proof.
Investigate.
[GROANING]
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
ELLEN: Oh, merde.
Would you give us a moment,
Your Highness?
I'll stay.
As you wish.
That's very pretty.
Can I have a word?
I am confident...
that you two, sooner or later,
will make a full confession.
Yes?
Every heretical whisper
the Queen has ever uttered.
Every illegal pamphlet
she's smuggled into the palace.
What contact she had
with that heretic, Anne Askew.
What money she gave.
ELLEN:
There's nothing to confess.
[SOFTLY] Oh?
I've been the Queen's friend
most of my life,
you'll never find anything
to condemn her.
Have you ever considered,
Bishop,
that it may be you
who is in error?
[GARDINER CHUCKLES]
Blessed are ye,
when men shall revile you
and persecute you
and say all manner
of evil against you falsely.
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
No one can deny
that you can both speak
the scriptures very prettily.
But perhaps once...
once this is all over
you will understand
that you have no more business
with the scriptures
than a pig with a saddle.
[MAN LAUGHS]
Better a pig with a saddle
than an ass with a miter.
[LAUGHS]
"An ass with a miter"?
Very good.
Well, I'll leave you
to think about it.
But if you omit even
the smallest detail,
I'll see you burned
alongside your Queen.
And I'm also confident...
that were I to ask,
the King would
give me permission
to question you too,
Your Highness.
[]
Anything that can connect us
to Anne, find it.
LADY IN WAITING 1:
Get the pamphlets.
ELLEN:
Somebody, look under the bed.
LADY IN WAITING 2:
She can't find it.
Ellen...
Here. Did you find it?
Yes, I've looked.
[ELLEN STUTTERS]
LADY IN WAITING 1:
Under the bed! Keep looking!
[PANTING]
Where is it?
Where is it?
What?
The Luther book.
Where's the Luther book?
[WOMEN CHATTERING EXCITEDLY]
Did you throw it in the fire?
Sit down.
[BREATHES HEAVILY]
[ALL PANTING]
Your Majesty,
orders from the King.
We must remove your books.
[OUT OF BREATH, CHUCKLES]
All my books?
GUARD 1: Yes, Your Majesty.
[CARLOS SQUAWKS]
KATHERINE: Stay, stay!
[PANTING]
I have news.
[SCOFFS] You have news?
Good news.
Good news?
Mm-hmm.
My men have found
the necklace.
It's on its way here
from Flanders as we speak.
Once it's returned
to your wardrobe,
you're in the clear.
Wait, you...
You have the necklace.
I have. We found it.
When is it here?
Soon.
Soon you'll have it.
[CHUCKLES] You have it?
We found it.
[SOBBING]
[DOOR CLOSES]
[SOFTLY]
It's going to be all right.
[THOMAS SHUSHING]
It's going to be all right,
Katherine.
GARDINER:
Tell me again,
during the King's absence,
how many times did
the Queen leave the palace?
Only twice.
Oh?
I swear.
She went to pray at the shrine
to the Virgin Mary
on Goyt's Lane.
And you were with her
the whole time?
No, sir.
GARDINER:
No?
Well, only women are permitted.
She told you that, did she?
Yes.
And how long was it,
do you imagine,
that she was
out of your sight?
I don't know, three hours?
Four?
"Hours"?
[SOFTLY] "Hours"?
You saw no one approach her?
No, sir. Not that I recall.
And you are certain
that the Queen
never left the palace
on any other occasion?
No, no one could take a horse
without me knowing,
I would know.
You never heard her speak
of the name Anne Askew?
Never.
GUARD: What of the prisoner?
Your Majesty.
Be assured, Your Majesty,
I will find evidence.
[GROANING AND GRUNTING]
No!
Is she more vicious
than all the others?
Is she more of a vicious whore
than all the others?
We've been here before!
We've been here before.
and we cut you down!
[OBJECTS CLATTER]
We cut them down!
We cut them down!
We cut them down! Didn't we?
Are you testing me?
Are you testing me again?
[MUFFLED] She's the devil!
She's the devil!
Well, I will cut her down!
I am God's deputy!
Do not test me!
MAN: Lord Seymour!
It's beautiful here, isn't it?
LORD EDWARD: Mm.
[MAN COUGHS]
Bishop Gardiner,
he believes
he will find proof
Katherine is a radical.
What do you think?
I think that will be difficult.
Katherine is a passionate
supporter of reform,
but I can't believe
she would...
Her Ladies are loyal?
Well, she gives them
no reason not to be.
They love her.
And what of her love
for your brother?
Surely the Queen's fidelity
is not in question?
The King would owe a lot
to the man who could help him.
My brother Thomas is honorable.
Yours is a close family,
isn't it?
They always said
the Seymours ran together
like a clan of hyenas.
Come.
If you cannot be of use,
we'll send you away.
Your Majesty--
We'll send you away,
and your nephew
will not see you.
Edward's our son.
He'll forget his mother's name.
Your name.
Help yourself.
[MEN CHEERING, APPLAUDING]
[HENRY EXCLAIMS AND LAUGHS]
HERBERT: Oh!
Lady Will!
[MEN LAUGHING]
WILL:
La, la, la
HERBERT: So dainty,
so delicate! So hairy!
[MEN CONTINUE LAUGHING]
[WILL CONTINUES SINGING]
KATHERINE:
Have mercy on me, God.
Wash me thoroughly
from my wickedness
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my faults,
and my sin
is for ever before me.
[LAUGHTER IN DISTANCE]
[SIGHS]
THOMAS: Mark, would you take
care of the luggage, please?
And check the horse,
I think it needs re-shoeing.
[WHISTLING]
[CHUCKLES]
What are you doing in here?
Have you heard?
Henry's ready
to sign her death warrant.
He's demanding evidence
against her,
that she betrayed him
in some way or...
or she's a radical.
Now, Tom.
[GRUNTS]
You know how this goes.
Because likely this will be
the end for us too.
[HORSE NEIGHING]
[MAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]
Unless...
Unless what?
He's promised...
What?
He's promised to pardon you
if you can provide
love letters.
[SCOFFS]
Evidence that she
betrayed him with you.
He'll kill me!
No, no, no, no.
I've seen him, Tom. He's sick.
He won't last long,
I've seen it.
Now, I can steer this
for you and me.
But you have
to give me something, Tom.
Please give me anything.
There isn't anything.
There are no letters.
Since she's been with Henry,
she's kept me at arm's length!
Always!
Then we are dead.
But you just remember
our nephew, young Edward.
Because when he becomes King...
we won't be there.
Ed!
Edward!
[]
What?
[THOMAS BREATHES HEAVILY]
[JEWELRY JINGLING]
There is something.
I knew it.
[SOFTLY] Oh, God.
It's a necklace.
[VOICE BREAKING]
She gave it to Anne Askew.
[GASPS] This is perfect!
[OBJECTS CLATTERING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Where's my crown?
[GRUNTS]
WILL:
There were three ravens
Sat in a tree
Down de-down
Hay down, hay down
They were as black
As they might be
MEN:
With a down...
WILL:
Then one of them said
To his mate
Where shall we
Our breakfast take?
MEN:
With a down
Derry, derry, derry
Down, down
Down in yonder green...
[HENRY COUGHING]
[ELLEN SHIVERING]
[HENRY GRUNTS]
[KATHERINE BREATHES HEAVILY]
[GASPS]
Henry?
How I've missed you.
No.
No more lies, Kit.
[EXHALES]
[BREATHES DEEPLY]
[KATHERINE BREATHES HEAVILY]
No more lies.
[KATHERINE CONTINUES
BREATHING HEAVILY]
[]
GARDINER: Your Majesty...
[WOMAN SHRIEKS]
...Katherine Parr,
Queen of England and Ireland.
Henry!
Katherine Willoughby Brandon,
Duchess of Suffolk.
Ellen Calthorpe,
Countess of Sussex...
Get off me.
...I arrest you
in the name of the King.
Anything in the Queen's
apartments
is now and has always been
the property of the Crown.
We will escort you
from these rooms,
and install you in other
more appropriate lodgings
until we have discovered
the full scope of your crimes.
It was my duty to arrest you,
but the final decision
of what to do with you
remains with the King.
Don't!
[CELL DOOR CLOSES]
DENNY: It's cold.
Let's get you up, Harry.
[HENRY GROANS]
That's it.
It's done, Harry.
[MAN STUTTERS]
You know it had to be done.
Oh, Harry.
It's done.
Onwards, hmm?
[SNIFFLES]
[GROANS]
[DOG BARKING]
[WHINING]
[WHISTLING TUNE]
[DENNY CHUCKLING]
Lord, give me courage.
I don't have Anne's strength.
If I do the wrong thing,
correct me...
[DOOR OPENS]
...but please
don't send me to my enemy.
Shh.
You still think of me
as your enemy, don't you?
But I warned you that
God would provide the proof.
Cat and Ellen are innocent.
What you want is me.
Oh, Katherine.
What do I want?
You admit that...
you met with the heretic
Anne Askew,
and that you financed sedition
against the King.
You will let them go.
All that remains now is...
I want your word.
...to recant
the dangerous heresy
that you've allowed
to seduce you.
Throw yourself
at the King's feet
and beg for forgiveness.
He showed
precious little mercy
to his other wives, but...
he's older now.
Wiser, perhaps.
You're asking me
to speak falsely.
[SOFTLY] Oh, Kat.
But I believe just as Anne did
that scripture
is the highest authority.
God will never have intended
for anything
to stand between him
and his people.
Not a bishop, not a priest,
not even a king.
Then you will burn.
[HENRY BREATHES DEEPLY]
Why are you so solemn?
Sing. Sing for me.
LORD EDWARD: Edward,
do what your father says.
Please,
I don't want to.
Sing!
Here.
[GRUNTS]
When I was your age
I was singing, dancing...
LORD EDWARD [WHISPERS]:
Sing for the King.
[HENRY GRUNTS]
Sing.
[SHOUTS]
What's the matter with you?
He misses his mother.
Where is she?
Are you simple?
Your mother's dead.
He means Queen Katherine.
[HENRY BREATHES HEAVILY]
She your mother too?
And yours?
ELIZABETH:
She loves us all like a mother.
[HENRY BREATHES HEAVILY]
ELIZABETH:
Unlike you.
Take me away.
You all disgust me.
Disgusting. Take me away.
Away!
I don't want
to see them any more,
don't want to look at them.
LORD EDWARD:
This way, quickly.
Quickly.
MARY: You must be careful
how you speak.
Do you want our father
to send you away?
As he did me?
As he did my mother? [SCOFFS]
Passed from prison castle
to prison castle
as her limbs stiffened...
[CHUCKLES]
Why are you laughing?
He let her rot...
[CHUCKLES]
...Elise.
Do you remember the last time
I saw my mother?
No? No.
[SOFTLY] No.
[MARY SOBS SOFTLY]
Nor do I.
[MUFFLED CAT AND ELLEN PRAYING]
Cat!
Ellen!
[MUFFLED PRAYING CONTINUES]
Cat!
[SOBBING]
[MUFFLED CAT AND ELLEN
SCREAMING]
KATHERINE [DISTORTED]:
Ellen? Cat?
Cat!
[RAIN PATTERING]
KATHERINE: Ellen!
Cat!
[MOANS]
[MUMBLING INDISTINCTLY]
[BREATHES WEAKLY]
That's it.
[BREATHING WEAKLY]
[PRAYING IN LATIN]
[BOTH PRAYING]
[BREATHING WEAKLY]
[CONTINUES PRAYING]
[GARDINER CONTINUES PRAYING]
[CONTINUES BREATHING WEAKLY]
[KATHERINE GRUNTING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Your bath, My Lady.
It's time.
[KATHERINE SHIVERING]
It's all right.
Come.
It's all right. Come, child.
It's cold.
Come.
[KATHERINE SHIVERING]
Sit.
[]
[DOOR OPENS]
[]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[CONTINUES BREATHING HEAVILY]
GUARD:
Your Majesty, please follow me.
KING'S MAN:
Your Majesty,
the King...
the King will
only talk to you.
[DOOR CLOSES]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
What are we gonna
do with you...
Kit?
That's why you
brought me here...
to help you decide?
[HUSHED CHATTER]
[HENRY SIGHS]
We've missed you.
We missed you so much.
[HENRY BREATHES DEEPLY]
Oh.
Oh.
Do you love me?
[STAGGERED BREATHING]
Do you love me, Kit?
I've loved my King.
[STRAINED]
That's not what I asked.
[GASPS] I love you.
I love you.
Do you believe in hell?
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
I think we're both
bound for it.
No.
No, Kit.
I'm ready.
[SOFTLY] No.
Are you?
[WEAKLY] No, Kit.
No, Kit.
[STRUGGLED BREATHING]
[KATHERINE GROANS]
[HENRY CHOKING]
[KATHERINE GRUNTING]
[HENRY CHOKING]
[BOTH GRUNTING]
[HENRY GURGLES]
[GRUNTS LOUDLY]
[THROAT CRUSHES]
[GRUNTING RAGGEDLY]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[GRUNTS SOFTLY]
[SNIFFLES]
[SNIFFLING]
[EXHALES]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[SIGHS]
[]
[SQUAWKING]
ELIZABETH:
It was in no one's interest
to question what had happened.
My father's dark heart
was deemed to have stopped.
Overcome by poison
from his ulcerating leg.
His death was kept secret
for more than a week,
while the men around him
fought over
the bones of his will.
His tomb fell to decay
and was lost for 100 years.
After my father's death,
Katherine published her most
daring book of prayers.
It laid the foundations
for a new faith.
Open and tolerant.
There is more than one way
to scorch the earth.
She forged something
in her flames...
and made way
for the tender shoots of hope
to burst forth.
[]
I lost my heart
Under the bridge
To that little girl
So much to me
And now I moan
And now I holler
She'll never know
Just what I found
That blue-eyed girl
That blue-eyed girl
She said, "No more"
She said, "No more"
And that blue-eyed girl
That blue-eyed girl
Became blue-eyed whore
Became blue-eyed whore
Down by the water
Down by the water
I took her hand
I took her hand
Just like my daughter
Just like my daughter
Won't see her again
See her again
Oh, help me, Jesus
Come through this storm
I had to lose her
To do her harm
I heard her holler
I heard her holler
I heard her moan
I heard her moan
My lovely daughter
My lovely daughter
I took her home
I took her home
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming in the water
Come back here, man
Gimme my daughter
Little fish, big fish
Swimming...