King Henry VIII, the young monarch of England is convinced to pause his preparations for war with France to pursue diplomatic channels. He talks with Lord Chancellor, Cardinal Wolsey who tries to convince him to sponsor a peace treaty. Meanwhile, the King faces challenges in his personal life when he finds out that Elizabeth Blount the lady-in-waiting for his Queen, Katherine of Aragon, is pregnant with his child.
Henry ponders whether it is better to be loved or feared and in an effort to achieve both he executes the Duke of Buckingham. Henry considers an alliance with Charles V and Wolsey's chances of becoming Pope are threatened. Meanwhile Lady Elizabeth Blount gives birth to the first healthy son, whom Henry names Henry Fitzroy.
Charles V, nephew of Katherine of Aragon, comes to visit Henry. Henry needs to keep his alliance with Charles so he is careful not to reveal the growing distance between Queen Katherine and himself. Henry meets Anne Boleyn and is entranced with her.
Henry is named "Defender of the Faith" by the Pope who appreciates Henry's spiritual and political loyalty. Princess Margaret marries the King of Portugal, but then murders him and returns to her lover, Charles Brandon. The Duke of Norfolk and Sir Thomas Boleyn conspire against Wolsey. Henry becomes more in love with Anne Boleyn as he becomes less interested in his wife and releases that he still hasn't produced a legitimate heir to his throne.
Henry faces setbacks in his attempts to build personal and political alliances. Henry ensures Henry Fitzroy's position as next in line for the throne. Emperor Charles V releases Francis I, an enemy of Henry's. Anne Boleyn is insulted by Henry's offer to make her his only mistress and he resolves to one day marry her. He faces difficulties in obtaining an annulment from his wife.
King Henry becomes more confident in his role. He is very anxious to marry Anne Boleyn. He is frustrated that despite the help of Cardinal Wolsey, the divorce petition is not moving forward.
A deadly "sweating sickness" sweeps over England. Meanwhile, a food shortage adds to the problem. As the plague begins to disappear the King learns that his mistress has survived. He is also pleased to learn that Pope Clement is sending an envoy to England to hold court to determine whether or not Henry will be given a divorce.
Pope Clement's entourage arrives in London to oversee the court's decision regarding the legitimacy of Henry's marriage to Katherine of Aragon. The court's decision will determine the future of Henry's relationship with Anne Boleyn as well as affecting Cardinal Wolsey's career. The decision also affects England's relationship with Rome.
Cardinal Wolsey is banished from the court and stripped of his authority. He is sent away from King Henry. Sir Thomas More takes over for him and shows that he too is loyal to Henry.
Even though Cardinal Wolsey has been exiled, he tries to gather support from Queen Katherine. Initially, she doesn't want to go along with his plan, but she soon finds herself in a similar situation. King Henry's new advisers intercept their plan and Wolsey must pay for his actions.