THE TUDORS SEASON 3, EPISODE 3.3
■ FUNDAMENTALS
| Tudors episode: 3.3
| First aired: April 19, 2009
| Tudors season: 3
| Prod. code: | Writer(s): Michael Hirst
| Director(s):
Ciaran Donnelly
| Name of Episode:
Dissention and Punishment | | Guest star(s): |
| Mini-synopsis:The King's third marriage to Jane Seymour has not dimmed his sexual appetite. Hans Holbein (Peter Gaynor), the great Dutch painter, has been commissioned by Henry to paint Lady Ursula Misseldon, his latest mistress, naked. Robert Aske, one of the leaders of the northern ‘rebellion,' receives a letter from Henry. To his considerable surprise, it is an invitation - written in the King's own hand - to come to court and discuss his views. He is to meet Henry on the twelfth day of Christmas and is guaranteed safe passage. Aske's friends and fellow pilgrims are less trusting than he is and suspect a darker motive to the King's invitation. Lord Darcy proposes to have lookouts stationed all the way from Yorkshire to London in case anything should happen. Henry's daughter Mary presents to him a beautiful young child of five -- his estranged daughter Elizabeth. Although this is unexpected - and he has earlier disowned the child - Henry is delighted to be surrounded by his family for Christmas. Robert Aske is finally brought before the King, whose presence and appearance awe the provincial rebel. Henry puts him at his ease telling him that he has read Aske's report on the causes and events of the rebellion and he agrees - to Aske's astonishment - that they were justified. He magnanimously offers a general pardon to all those who took part as a demonstration of his understanding. Furthermore, he shall himself come to York and host a parliament where he can hear the views of Aske's fellow Pilgrims. But his biggest news is that his new Queen will be crowned there. The King and Queen are cheered as they leave the palace to attend Christmas celebrations at the Cathedral. Jane is escorted by her brother Edward, who bluntly breaks the news to her that their father has died . . . a week prior. The funeral has already taken place. Jane was not informed so as not to cause any distraction from her role as Queen. Henry makes plans for the visit to York and instructs Charles Brandon to administer an oath to all the leaders and notables of the region which not only requires a confession of treason, but a renunciation of all former beliefs, sworn allegiance to the crown and the promise to assist church commissioners in the work of the Reformation. Anyone who does not take the oath will face trial and execution. Brandon is disturbed by this change of attitude and reminds the King that he promised the Pilgrims a parliament at York. Constable and Bowes have reunited with fellow rebels and are plotting a comeback. But their scheming never progresses; their camp is attacked by Lord Suffolk and the King's militia who are merciless in their suppression. Bowes and Constable are captured and sent to London. Seventy-four others who refuse to sign the King's oath are hanged from trees in full view of their families and neighbors. As the King's representative and supervisor of this ‘justice', Brandon is deeply uncomfortable. At a subsequent meeting, the old and feeble Lord Tom Darcy and Robert Aske assure Brandon that they were against the new rising and reiterate their loyalty to the King. Brandon accepts their pledges, but asks them to accompany him to London where they can explain matters to the King. The two men are disinclined to believe that they would return home safely but while Brandon promises them his protection, he also makes clear that this is an order, not a request. Reginald Pole, onetime beneficiary of Henry and now Catholic Cardinal, has been dispatched by the Pope to meet with advisors of Emperor Charles V in order to seek assistance and support for the popular uprising in England. Pole proposes the overthrow not only of the reformers but the King himself as there is now a legitimate and Catholic heir to the throne-in-waiting: Lady Mary. After some time, Queen Jane informs the King that she is finally pregnant. Henry is overjoyed. John Constable, one of the leaders of the aborted second uprising, has since been imprisoned in the Tower of London, tortured and finally killed. Despite promises of protection, Aske and Darcy are also taken to the Tower where they are to be interrogated by the merciless Cromwell. Following his confession to Cromwell, Robert Aske receives a visit from Henry in the Tower of London. The King is intent on justifying the suppression of the religious houses - the basis of the Pilgrims' rebellion. He speaks animatedly about the monks' riches and their rejection of earthly law. But, in a change from the past, the King understands of Aske's honest mistake. | | | | |
