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RSS'The Tudors': Heads roll
Wow! This week, episode 5 in this second season of The Tudors, was really well written. History does come to life as you realize -- maybe for the first time -- how troubled Henry VIII was to have to do away with his friend, Sir Thomas More.
From what is seen, it is clear that Henry thought he could break More, he wanted to break More. He wanted More to bow to him so he wouldn't have to push him to the ultimate sacrifice.
This was probably best shown during the few minutes we see Henry alone with a crucifix. "Why can his vanity be greater than a king's," he questions the cross, ultimately questioning Christ. Henry admits to loving and hating More.
In the end, Henry had to follow though when More would not take the Oath of Allegiance and admit to the king being the supreme head of the church. More is taken before the committee, found guilty and sentenced first to a horribly, torturous death, the usual sentence of being hanged, drawn and quartered. Henry then commutes it to him to execution by beheading.
If this weren't enough, the rest of the palace is shaken by other things.
Queen Anne suffers a miscarriage. (It has been historically noted that that child was a boy.) Anne's father is less than compassionate when he visits her afterwards. In fact, he asks her what she has done to kill the baby. "From now on, you must be careful not to lose the king's love or lose everything for all of us."
He sees the big picture. Anne begins to realize it as well. She now knows that at any moment, the king can change his mind at any moment -- about whom he wants in succession to the throne and who he wants in his bed.
And it's true. When the king and his party come across a couple riding through the king's woods, he takes the woman away from her boyfriend, takes her back to the castle and makes her his lover. Just another of many.
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I personally think that Henry is so bothered by More not taking the oath because he really believes in him and knows More is very god-fearing and it scares him a little that maybe he is doing the wrong thing.
I have to say I agree with you there.He actually went to the statue that Sir Thomas gave him and spoke to it..He still believes in God and what's right but I guess he was between a rock and a hard place.I understand why he couldn't let Sir Thomas off the hook though...
He was too far in the pit that "Queen Anne" caused him to dig.It was sad to see Sir Thomas go..I expected it but it was still sad..I know Katherine will go soon too and they're my two favourite people:-(
Sir Thomas More's death saddened me deeply, to the point that I hated Henry for being such a fool. Sir Thomas More's last words were fanastic... "I beg you earnestly to pray for the King. Tell him, I died his good servant but God's first"
Anne actually had two miscarriages, the last one being identified as the son she "killed" in Henry's mind. Henry felt guilt and remorse over Thomas' death, but he needed a scapegoat and Anne was it.