Divorce, Tudor style. As the Catholic Church struggles in vain to control Henry VIII's demands for an annulment, the King appoints himself head of the Church of England. A cook is blackmailed into poisoning a high-ranking bishop; then boiled alive for his crime. When Anne Boleyn insists Henry break all contacts with Katherine, the noble Queen is banished from court. The Reformation has begun.
Christmas at the Tudor court is a time for ringing in the new. Mistress Anne Boleyn has replaced the banished Queen Katherine. The King's chaplin, Thomas Cranmer, makes a fact-finding visit to Lutheran Germany while Henry withdraws both the authority and taxes of the Catholic Church at home.
Henry marries Anne in secret and strips Queen Katherine of her title and status.
Citizens must take an oath recognizing Henry as the supreme authority in England, and Thomas More refuses.
Anne and her family find their power at the court to be jeopardized.
Cromwell investigates the Roman Catholic Church.
Cromwell confiscates the Church's wealth for the crown. Anne Boleyn has nightmares that her position at the King's side is under threat from the continued existence of former Queen Katherine and her daughter Mary.
Anne's resurgence of popularity at court is short-lived. Jane replaces Anne in Henry's affections.
Anne's fall from grace is swift and complete. Henry accepts Cromwell's charges against Anne.
Anne awaits her fate in the Tower. Henry proposes to Jane Seymour. Elizabeth is removed from the line of succession.