Episode 5

Well it has happened. Thomas and his famnily are on the brink of loosing everyhting. More interesting though, Queen Anne has lost her child. Bishop or should i say Cardinal Fisher however, is going to be tried for treason (the crime for refusing to acknowledge the King's Act of Succession).



Sadly however MY true queen, Kathrine, is looking worse and worse, and is still being pressured to take the act. Anne's father is pressuring her to be more careful to not lose the favour fo the king. but it seems it is too late for that. The King, while riding in the forest, comes across a man and his sweetheart, Bess. She is taken by the king however, and let's just say, that they looked like they were having a lot of fun and WORKING hard! In Rome, the Pope and Cardinal Campegio receive word from their agents that the Queen is not pregnant afterall, and that Cardinal Fisher is still to die. However, they feel sad that they shall never be martrys like Saint Peter and the apostles of old.



Anne's sister, Mary, decides to pay a visit to the palace and she has news. She is pregnant and married to a man of little standing and no fortune. Her father and Anne proceed to tell her she has disgraced them both and as such, she has her allowance cut off and is banished from court.

Thomas Cromwell visits the inprisoned Sir Thomas to extract the reason why he is refusing to take the oath; still he remains defiant. It looks like he shall truly die then. At court, Anne dances with Mark Smeaton, and she confides in him that he is the only one who understands her and begs him never to leave her. Later in the night, she cannot sleep, and ends up drinking like a fish. So she sends for her brother and she tells him her fears she believes that Mary is her death since she could return to the throne and realises that She and Katherine do pose serious threat to her and everything that she has worked for.


While Sir Thomas Moore is praying, a servant of Bishop Fisher tells him that the Bishop is to die tomorrow.

On the scaffold, he preaches to the people to listen to the king and speaks his fears of dying and ask for support so he could re-affirm his conviction. He gets emotional but through the cries of the corwd, he accepts his beheading. In rome, as Michalangelo is painting the Sisteen Chapel, the Pope is informed of Fisher's death and is much saddened as he already knows and condems the King.

Margaret, the daughter of Sir Thomas visits her father, and begs him to take the oath, but still he holds true to his faith and refuses to condemn his soul to save his family. Margaret begs for the sake of the entire family and begins to weep. The king then discusses the matter symbolically, with a God - through a crucifix - as to his love and hate of Sir Thomas.

Sir Richard Rich, the Solicitor General, is instructed by the Chancellor to visit Sir Thomas, to deprive him of his last few posessions his books and papers. Though this is not his only purpose.

Henry visits the chambers of Anne, where she is red eyed and depressed. But the King comforts her and tells her that he still loves her. He tells her that everythigng is going to be alright. Sir Thomas is then taken before a parliamentary commission the next day. In the trial, a marvelous debate of legal terms as well as careful wording occurs. But, the trial goes south, when Sir Ricahrd is called to the trial, and confesses that Thomas said that Parliament could never make the King, Head of the Church.

Thomas does however defend himself passionately hoping that they shall all meet in heaven and that the King be sent good council. He is found guilt, and is condemed to death in a most horrific manner. He should be dragged through London to his place of death - he is to be hanged til' half dead, then cut down. He will then have his bowels cut out and burned before him, his head and "privy" parts cut off, and finally, his body divided into four parts.

But when Henry is told of the sentence, in his final act of mercy, he changes the sentence to simple beheading.

On the scaffold, he asks the people to bear witness with him, and that he has died the King's humble servant, but a servant of God first. As the clock strikes 10, Sir thomas streches out his arms and the axe of the executioner comes down. As this happens, the king screams and begins to weep.

The only thing left, of Sir Thomas, is a small silver crucifix that he was holding in his hand. The crucifix falls, only to be covered in blood from Sir Thomas. blood spilled for the church, and blood presumably spilt for God. How many would readily do that for the church?

Episode 4

Princess Elizabeth has been born and baptised unto the kingdom of England. Yet there is still turmoil. Lady Mary is informed of this turning, and her council believes that the birth of a daughter shows God as turning his back on the new Queen.

Lady Mary inquires about the Dowager Princess', her mother's, condition and holds faith that the King will let her mother visit her. Sir Thomas Moore is then brought before a bishop, and is questioned as to why he did not appear at Anne's coronation, to which he replies that he will not be drawn out by those who seek to provoke argument.

A SHOCKING DEVELOPMENT!!! The musician Smeaton turns out to be GAY!!! How will this bode for his place at court? Only time will tell. One thing is for certain though, Henry's lust is not sated by his Queen being in recovery from giving birth, as he takes a lady in waiting, Lady Eleanor. What will she do to affect the already building drama withing the court? Also, Henry begins to questions the loyalty of those at court, namely Charles; are they with him, or with the Dowager Princess?

THE MAJOR CHRISTMAS SURPRISE IS THAT ANNE IS PREGNANT YET AGAIN!!!!

Moving right along, Lady Mary is called by the King, to serve as a Lady in waiting to the Princess. What a slap in the face. To go from a Princess, to serving the daughter of the woman who helped to overthrow your own mother. At court, Henry and Anne enjoy a festive Christmas celebration, while spies within the court still plan to try and assassinate Anne on behalf of the King of Spain. Charles tries to prove his loyalty by granting the King his vote at parliament to support his Act of Succession. Anne also finds out about the affair with Lady Eleanor and asks her confidant to have her removed. The Act of Succession would make the children of Anne and the King, the rightful heirs to the throne, while also making death the penalty of any ill action against the marriage to Anne and their children.

The major law which is now imposed upon the country, is that all must swear allegiance to the King as head of the Church and anyone not doing so will be found guilty of treason. In response to this, the Pope retaliates by making the imprisoned Bishop Fisher, who fought on behalf of Katheryn and out rightly opposes the Act of Succession, a Cardinal to test if Henry will "imprison and torture a Prince of the Church".

The King then visits his new daughter, and while leaving, gives a bow to his first daughter, she watched him with tears in her eyes. Back in court, Lady Eleanor is accused of stealing the Queen's jewels by the Queen's confidant. To save herself, Lady Eleanor removes herself from court. Anne's father however warns her not to be jealous of the King taking mistresses, but in advises her to find a mistress who does not wish to usurp her family's power. Anne must find a suitable mistress whom she can control. While imprisoned, Bishop Fisher is visited by the Secretary, Mr. Cromwell, who inquires if he will take the oath to the king. But Fisher remains resolute in the fact that Katheryn is still the rightful Queen, and that the King is not the Supreme Head of the Church of England. But he makes a fatal blunder. He inadvertently implicates Sir Thomas Moore.

Henry questions Anne about her dismissal of Eleanor, and in reply, she informs the king that she stole something from her, but offers a new lady to serve the king. One she has chosen, who the King accepts. Thomas Cromwell then brings a list of persons who refuse to take the oath, orders are given that they suffer the consequences, but the major thing, is that he tells the King that Fisher is to be made a Cardinal and the king laughs. He only replies that he will have to wear it on his shoulders, as he will soon have no head!! Worse, he now inquires as to the condition of Thomas Moore and the oath. Queen Anne visits Elizabeth and makes an offer to Mary, if she would only accept Anne as the true Queen. But as defiant as her mother, Mary REFUSES and acknowledges Anne only as the King's Mistress.

Cromwell soon visits Sir Thomas about his refusal to take the oath of Succession. Thomas bears no argument about the King's marriage to Anne, but about the Oath of Succession, he refuses to acknowledge the King over the Pope. Yet he does not agree to ever taking the Oath and refuses to yield anything but his devotion of the King. It seems as though Sir Thomas will be the next one whose blood will be spilled by the executioner's axe.

In her chambers, Queen Anne informs her lady in waiting, Lady Madge, that she has her blessing to lay with the King, since she trusts her, and asks that Madge take the King to her bed while Anne is with child. But there is no good news to come. Lady Mary has fallen ill and Katheryn begs the King to allow her to tend to her sick child. But the King sends his physicians to tend to her health, as he refuses to let them be together, as he suspects that they will conspire and plot against him, as he fears that they could raise an army like that of Isabella of Spain.

Thomas informs his family that he will most likely die, and asks them to be good. The king then asks for Anne to go riding, but instead Madge goes at the Queen's request, yet all wee see, is the Queen crying for her King. Sir Thomas is then brought before the King's new Archbishop, and refuses to take the oath, especially since Henry was the one who told him of the papacy's importance. Henry on the other hand, is getting drunk with Madge, and is soon fondling her, potentially for coitus? Thomas however, is now locked in the tower of London, in the room above Bishop Fisher. Now we must wait for the next episode to see what shall unfold.

SO UNTIL NEXT WEEK GUYS!! an plz, leave comments :)

The Other Boleyn Girl

History records Anne Boleyn as one of the most influential and high reaching mistresses of all time. The one "woman" who defied not only the Iberian giant of Spain in her endeavours but proved so seductive that she toppled the powerful Roman Catholic Church which stood in the way of her ambitions.

Many argue that she was a witch whose sole aim was to destroy or devour the souls of men, having even been rumoured to have had sex with her brother! Others try to chalk-up her actions as actions of love but this argument is soon toppled when refrence is made to her open ambition to become and remain the Queen of England at the cost of aiding in adultery and allowing an "innocent" woman to stand trial.

The Other Boleyn Girl is a touching and reviting charicature, to say the least, of the sibling rivalry which is presumed to have existed between the Boleyn girls. Charicature, because the characters are too profoundly exaggerated, so grossly so that if one were to compare the movie to the Tudors' series, one would find it most disenchanting. The character traits do exist in the series but it is more suggestive which adds to the allure.

Anne is made to be the perfect opportunist and betrayer, while Mary is painted as an extremly pure whore, the audience at times even forgets that she is married and her station as mistress of pleasure to the King is only executed for family ambition. There is no subtlety in this screen depiction of the Henry VIII story, Mary is loving, kind and obedient while Anne is the total opposite.

When watching the movie several things came to mind: feminism and perspective. Femism is protrayed tremendously when one examines the men in the movie, they are either loyal to the point of absurdity, or ruthless to the point of tyranny; while all the women are humble, yet always knowing better and being able to see what lies ahead. The theme of feminism is embossed by Anne's words, she constantly either believes she is a man's equal or superior or is perceived to have attributes of men - she is strong minded, reckless and unaffectionate, caring only for ambitions.

Perspective, I believe also plays a major part in the movie, some of the history basically outlines that Henry grew tired of Mary as she succumbed too easily and hence was dicarded like all other mistresses, while Anne only filled the space dur to her unwillingness to surrender.

The movie on the other hand depicts Anne as so evil that she kept the King from Mary even when she was delivering their child. Also Mary plays a significant role in advising the King upon rather personal affairs, the movie and by extention book seems to down play the significance of Cardinal Wolsey; the Lord Chancellor. The movie proved sturring but sould only be fully appreciated by those who love the underdog who wins by playing it safe...or simply those who dislike Anne Boleyn. Katherine and Mary were wronged by Anne's hands and the nationa was torn apart on her whim, that is what one takes away from the movie.

In the end we find ourselves asking who is really the Other Boleyn Girl, Mary, who the history talks less about or Anne, the woman who transfixed a God annointed Prince but, by the standards of the movie, was secondary in terms of virtue.

Panopt!c Review Rates "The Other Boleyn Girl"
6.5 out of 10

VS

Synopsis: The Other Boleyn Girl

" Based on the best selling novel by Phillipa Gregory, The Other Boleyn Girl is an engrossing and sensual tale of intrigue, romance and betrayal set against the backdrop of a defining moment in history. Two sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, are driven by their ambitious father and uncle to advance the family's power and status by courting the affections of the King of England. Leaving behind the simplicity of country life, the girls thrust into the dangerous and thrilling world of court life - and what began as a bid to help their family develops into a rivalry between Ann and Mary for the love of the King. Initially, Mary wins King Henry's favor and becomes his mistress, bearing him an illegitimate child. But Anne, clever, conniving and fearless, edges aside both her sister and Henry's wife, Queen Katherine of Argon, in her relentless pursuit of the King. Despite Mary's genuine feelings for the King, her sister Anne has her sight set on the ultimate prize. Anne will not stop until she is Queen of England. As the Boleyn girls battle for the love of the King - one driven by ambition, the other by true affection - England is torn apart. Despite the dramatic consequences, the Boleyn girls ultimately find strength and loyalty in each other, and they remain forever connected by their bond as sisters."

Source: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/theotherboleyngirl/site/flash.html

Coming soon: reviews on the actual history, the novel and the movie. Please keep an eye open for new occurences and dont be shy add a comment if you have read the book, seen the movie or know anything about the real history. We will also enteratin questions so ask away...

Episode 3

The third episode has just ended, and what an episode it was. A failed assassination, an illegal wedding, new acts waiting to be passed; where to begin?

After loosing patience with the Catholic Church, King Henry decides to take the handling of his Great Matter into his own hands. He suggests the appointment of Thomas Crammer, to the office of Archbishop of Cantebury, and with that, has the new archbishop declare his marriage to Katherine null and void. Crammer is a Lutheran and was once the Boleyn family Chaplain.

Katherine of Argon is now directed to relinquish her title as Queen of England and must accept the style of Princess Dowager of Wales, in addition to which, she is allowed to keep only her property but the king will no longer pay the wages of her servants and as such, the queen must cut her expenses. Furthermore she is forbidden to see her daughter Princess Mary now referred to as Lady Mary.

But you might ask, why he has done all of this? Well the fun is yet to come, the Queen has been accused of having an affair. Also it turns out that not only is La Belle Anne pregnant but Henry has now become so fed-up with the Catholic Church that he marries her in secret.

At the coronation however, there is a failed assassination attempt made by a devout Roman Catholic, though the circumstances surrounding the event do suggest that it was upon a direct order from the See of Rome. But no the Catholics would never promote violence - atleast not openly!

But no worries good news soon follows, born unto the kingdom, is the Queen's new bouncing baby. There is only one problem though. the baby born is not the promised son to carry on the Tudor lineage. No Edward, No Henry, but a princess, Princess Elizabeth. An adept at the history knows that this is not a bad thing for England but a tremendous blessing in disguise, but lets stick to the series, shall we.

The future of the kingdom is not yet secured, but the king reassures all with the fact that he and his new bride are young, and that god will bless them with a son soon enough. There is another problem looming at this point; the Catholic Church has passed its final verdict. It recognizes the King's original marriage to Katherineof Argon as valid, and the new marriage to Lady Anne, as null and void.

Furthermore, Princess Elizabeth is seen as a illegitimate. To end the episode, the Pope gives Henry until September to take Katherine back as his wife or he will be excommunicated.

Where will the King go from here. Only time will tell. I guess we can only wait to see...
^R.O.M^

The Birth of Anglicana Ecclesia

Albeit, the King's Majesty justly and rightfully is and oweth to be the supreme head of the Church of England, and so is recognised by the clergy of this realm in their Convocations; yet nevertheless for corroboration and confirmation thereof, and for increase of virtue in Christ's religion within this realm of England, and to repress and extirp all errors, heresies and other enormities and abuses heretofore used in the same, Be it enacted by authority of this present Parliament that the King our sovereign lord, his heirs and successors kings of this realm, shall be taken, accepted and reputed the only supreme head in earth of the Church of England called Anglicana Ecclesia, and shall have and enjoy annexed and united to the imperial crown of this realm as well the title and style thereof, as all honours, dignities, preeminences, jurisdictions, privileges, authorities, immunities, profits and commodities, to the said dignity of supreme head of the same Church belonging and appertaining. And that our said sovereign lord, his heirs and successors kings of this realm, shall have full power and authority from time to time to visit, repress, redress, reform, order, correct, restrain and amend all such errors, heresies, abuses, offences, contempts and enormities, whatsoever they be, which by any manner spiritual authority or jurisdiction ought or may lawfully be reformed, repressed, ordered, redressed corrected, restrained or amended, most to the pleasure of Almighty God, the increase of virtue in Christ's religion, and for the conservation of the peace, unity and tranquillity of this realm: any usage, custom, foreign laws, foreign authority, prescription or any other thing or things to the contrary hereof notwithstanding.

The Act of Supremacy 1534
From Statutes of the Realm, III (spelling modernized)

Summary Season 2 - Episodes 1 and 2

So , for those of you catching up from the end of last season, here is a brief overview of what has happened so far. Queen Katharine, has officially been banished from the King's presence; while Henry has worked and succeeded to break ties with the Catholic Church.

By the Act of Supremacy, passed in the British Parliament in 1534, King Henry VIII is now the Head of the Church in England. Anne Boleyn has officially been moved into the royal palace , while Katherine, as if the King were to add insult to injury, has been asked to return the jewels of the Queens of England. At first, she refuses, but soon the king orders them returned and she is obliged to reconsider. Soon thereafter, Thomas Moore, Lord Chancellor, after almost being poisoned, decides to leave court but vows to continue fighting for the cause of the Queen.

So this is where we are left; until the new episode on the 13th. Stay tuned, as the new marriage is impending and the the ramifications of the Kings Great Issue plung England thraten to rip England to shreds. We are witnessing, the begining of the birth of the tyrant, Henry VIII. All the drama of the Tudor dynasty is coming to light. Let us all watch and be captivated :) so until next time guys!
^R.O.M^