Blood, Sex & Royalty Season 1 Episode 3 Recap

Somebody Wants Me Death

1533 – The show begins with Anne Boleyn (Amy James-Kelly) and King Henry VIII (Max Parker) making love. Grimacing, she reminds him of her giving birth six months prior when their daughter begins to cry. Raising his voice, he asks where is the wet nurse.

Anne tells her daughter, Elizabeth to ignore her grumpy father.

Tower Of London – Anne tells Tower of London Constable, William Kingston (Steffan Boje) that Henry was disappointed with having a daughter. She admits to having promised Henry a son which she was bound to do.

Anne is pregnant a second time. She suggests her mild morning sickness may be a sign their baby’s a boy. He informs her that his astrologer predicts it’s a boy. After gifting her a puppy, he says every family needs one. Anne names her puppy Purkoy.

Six Months Later – After saying having a son for Henry is important, Anne tells George Boleyn (Jhon Lumsden) that she wants to do so much more. He assures her that she’ll one day change the world.

Anne tells Thomas Cromwell (Stephen Fewell) and Henry that the Catholics know the corruption inside the monastic houses has grown out of control. Henry says the “greedy bastards” are owners of the best land. Cromwell suggests the crown should own the land, not the monasteries.

Anne suggests the money be invested in education, housing, and treatment for the impoverished. Henry says, “The people’s queen.” Cromwell says changes need to be made. Henry warns them that the Church would oppose the move. She reminds him of his being in charge before walking away when she’s struck by severe pain.

Tower Of London – Anne tells William that losing a baby is losing part of yourself. She admits to being heartbroken when Henry barely looked at her.

Anne denies her baby was deformed. Lady Worcester “Lady W” (Nikhita Lesler) says rumors claim she’s a witch. Anne tells her that she wanted to hide but it isn’t possible for a Queen.

Uncle Norfolk (Andy De La Tour) tells Anne it’s nice to see she’s feeling more social. Anne tells the audience that her uncle stole his wife’s jewelry after locking her in a cupboard. After learning about Mary Boleyn’s (Lois Brabin-Platt), she rushes out of the room. Mary assures her that she’s sorry about the loss of her baby. Anne tells her that she’s the wife of a “lowlife soldier” while she’s the Queen of England. Mary warns her that Henry won’t want her much longer. Anne demands she leave and never return.

Henry’s distracted during their lovemaking. Raising his voice, he reminds her that he wanted a son before walking away.

During a chess game with Jane Seymour (Roberta Sirgedaite) Anne’s distracted by a woman laughing. Anne asks Francis Weston (Skomantas Duoplys) if his wife laughs at his joke. Henry approaches to inform her that Purkoy died after falling out a window. She warns him that it was a deliberate act, not an accident.

Henry makes into law, the 1534 Treason Act. Speaking out against the Queen or King or supporting the Pope would be an act of treason punishable by death.

Cromwell informs Henry that an uprising is taking place in Ireland. He warns that Spain and France could invade England. Henry suggests war with Europe is drawing near. She tells him that England’s famine can be resolved with the monasteries’ money. She says they need to draw up a peace treaty with Europe.

1536 – Anne, dressed in a yellow gown, attends a ceremony to honor the death of Katherine of Aragon. When they kneel for prayer, Anne announces her pregnancy.

Anne wakes up to a fire in her room. Lady W suggests she didn’t put out the candle. Anne tells her that it was intentional before reminding her of Purkoy. Uncle Norfolk alerts her of an accident.

A frantic Anne rushes over to Henry who sustained a head injury during a jousting event. After prayer, Anne rushes to Henry’s room to find Jane Seymour sitting in his lap. She reminds him of his near-death experience and their pregnancy. He suggests she focus on their son. She grabs Jane as she walks away to see she’s wearing a cameo with Henry’s photo. She screams, “Cheating bastard” and looks down to see a puddle of blood.

Tower of London – Anne admits to being broken-hearted over the loss of her son and marriage.

After informing her of her husband’s debit, Lady W says she’s pregnant. Anne sarcastically tells her that she’s just pitiful with her seven children and “fickle husband.” She suggests she’ll need more money. When Lady W hesitates, Anne forces her to take it. Lady W admits to needing her more than the money that she leaves with.

Anne tells George that Anne Seymour’s out for her crown. George informs her that Cromwell’s utilizing the money from the monastery dissolution for his own benefit.

Anne reminds Cromwell that the money from the monasteries was intended to help the poor people. He says they’re supposed to be friends. She tells him that queens don’t have friends but allies When she threats to report him to Henry, he claims Henry already knows. She assures him that he’ll pay.

Tower Of London – Anne tells William that Cromwell’s pitting Henry against her.

Anne escorts Elizabeth (Gabija Venclovaite) into Henry’s room. When he beckons for her to come, she doesn’t move. Anne warns him that Cromwell cannot get by with stealing thousands from the monasteries’ money. He tells her that she’s never been permitted to delve into state affairs. She assures him that he’d be lost without her. He says she’s divided England with her heresy. She tells him that he doesn’t need a son because he has Elizabeth. He says the kingdom can only be run by a man.

She suggests they might have a son if he shares her bed, not Jane Seymour’s. He says God’s punishing them for what they’ve done. She assures him that they’ve brought the people closer to God.

Anne’s speaking with Sir Henry Norris (James Mathis III) when she notices Cromwell and Lady W deep in conversation. He asks if she plans to attend a jousting event on Saturday. She admits to not being a fan of jousting. He assures her that he’ll watch out for her. She tells him that he’ll not be short of ladies wanting his attention. Jane Boleyn (Sophie Boettge) sits nearby listening to their conversation. He says his heart belongs to her. She tells him that she’s married until something happens to Henry. He warns her comment could get him killed before taking his leave.

May 1^st 1536 – During a conversation with George, Anne looks up to see Cromwell, with Jane Boleyn at his side, staring at her. George suggests she fix things with Cromwell because Henry listens to him.

May 2^nd 1536 – The Privy Council arrests Anne on adultery charges per Henry’s request. Anne’s taken to the queen’s apartment in the Tower of London.

Anne tells William that the adultery and treason charges are “absurd” before asking who made the accusations. William tells her that he’s been tasked with taking care of her.

Anne is charged with having extramarital relationships with Henry Norris, Francis Weston (Skomantas Duoplys), William Brereton (Gabriellius Marozas), and Mark Smeaton (Laurynas Jurgelis). Norfolk tells her that she allegedly excited George to violate her and conspire with her adulterers to kill King Henry. Anne pleads not guilty.

Cromwell builds Anne’s case on hearsay. The Privy Council finds her guilty of all charges.

Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer (Doug Bao) tells Anne that she can be free if she agrees to an annulment. He warns her if she signs the agreement, Elizabeth will be declared a “bastard” and removed from the line of succession. He informs her that Mark, Francis, Henry, George, and William are to be hung tomorrow.

Anne signed the agreement but Henry breaks his promise.

On the podium, Anne says, “I have come here to die. I pray God saves the King and hope that he rules over you for years to come. There never was a gentler or more forgiving ruler. To me, he was always a good and loving husband.” She closes by asking the people to pray for her. The executioner raises his sword.

Anne Boleyn’s daughter, Elizabeth took the throne after Henry’s death. Queen Elizabeth I never married but ruled England for 44 years.

 

Blood, Sex & Royalty Season 1 Finale Synopsis

Anne convinced Henry to dissolve the monastic houses and utilize the money to help the poor. After their miscarriage, Henry began to distance himself from her.

A gift from Henry, Purkoy was found dead. Anne tried to convince Henry that Purkoy’s death was intentional.

Henry enacted the 1534 Treason Act that sentenced anyone who spoke out against the King or Queen to death.

Henry’s reformation was causing strife among the people and clergy. Uprisings were reported in Ireland in 1934. England was under threat of being invaded by France and Spain.

Katherine of Aragon died in 1536. Henry was injured during a jousting competition. Anne prayed desperately for Henry’s recovery, not only because his death would end everything she worked for, but she still loved him. During his recovery, he’s caught cheating with Jane Seymour, Anne’s lady-in-waiting.

Pregnant with her seventh baby and strapped for cash due to her husband’s poor investment decisions, Lady W found Anne not so supportive. She accepted Anne’s money even though she claimed to need her friendship more.

Anne discovered Cromwell and Henry were utilizing the monastery money for their own benefit. She tried to persuade Henry with Elizabeth but he refused to listen. He believed God cursed him because of her heresy.

Jane Boleyn and Lady W conspired with Cromwell to have Anne removed from the thrown. Henry charged her with treason and adultery, both of which she denied. She was arrested and taken to the queen’s room inside the Tower of London.

Thomas Cranmer approached her with a proposal that would make her a free woman but declare Elizabeth a “bastard.” George, Henry, Francis Weston, Mark, and William are found guilty of adultery and later executed. This prompted Anne to grant Henry an annulment. Instead of freeing her as promised, Henry ordered her to be executed.

 

Blood Sex & Royalty Finale Review

The show took a much more serious note, which was a relief. The acting and dialogue were consistently good. Along with the historians and actors, King Henry VIII’s betrayal of Anne Boleyn came to life beautifully.

A great finale deserves a 7. Get more Blood, Sex & Royalty recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.