Becoming Elizabeth

You're my Elizabeth...

and no one else is to play with you.

You have the backing

of every single Catholic in this country.

I question why we are asked to fund

a war we were told was won.

Because it was! Or do you believe

stealing a girl away in the middle of the night

and pleading for French assistance the act of winners?

- -

All this for me?

My wife questions whether you and Catherine

are the best guardians for Jane,

matching her with the king in the future.

Listen! I am meant to conduct--

Enough!

You are in this room not to rule

but to learn from those that do, from me.

What you've done does not matter.

It's what people think you have done

that is all that matters now.

Your hands are cold.

All those things that upset you...

just leave them behind at Chelsea.

You'll make yourself unwell.

Is it not to your liking, Princess?

Perhaps she's tired.

She is present.

Forgive us.

My sister so oft talks of Your Grace.

Sir Anthony and I'd likely feel

quite as much affection for you as she.

Affection must not slip into overfamiliarity, though.

I know you find me rude, Princess.

I do apologize for it every time.

But overfamiliarity is a charge I will not take.

I held your father, the king's hand

as he lay dying.

So if not you, your kin,

I am familiar with.

Are you familiar with any of my letters today, Sir Anthony?

Princess.

No letters have come for you.

I have told you I would tell you if they did.

No word.

I assume it is your stepmother, Catherine,

you're so anxious to hear from.

Strange she has not written once in all this time.

She's unwell due to her pregnancy.

Is she?

That's not what I heard.

I know I chide you for not keeping patience, but Lord,

my sister's husband was sent to test mine as much as yours.

I'm late, Kat.

I have not bled since we arrived here.

You know this.

Yes, you've never been regular.

Please don't make me say it.

You know. Surely you know.

I imagined you'd taken a silly fancy to him.

But this...

When?

I could not...

More than once you lay with him?

I thought I knew you, Elizabeth.

Should we fetch a woman?

You wouldn't tell your sister, would you?

Even if you think she could be trusted,

I couldn't bear her knowing.

I couldn't bear anyone knowing,

if we--we fetch a woman.

How knowledgeable you are in these matters.

I know they can be found.

-Everyone knows they can-- -Quiet!

If word gets out,

then we will both lose our heads.

You're often late. There is no need to act yet.

If in time you still don't bleed,

I will find someone.

But for now, tell no one.

Does our Lady Catherine know?

What pain you have caused.

And shame you have brought.

- -

Please. No.

-Fuck off. - Ahh!

I've always wanted to do that.

How much for forgiveness, Father?

- -

Filthy fucking Catholics.

As the idolatry of the old faith is torn away,

we will bring hope to the people.

They will cheer in the streets as we bring the true faith.

And will do so all the more now the Book of Common Prayer

will be issued throughout the country, to every parish.

The new Josiah: Edward VI.

The new Josiah: Edward VI!

We sinners do beseech thee to hear us, O Lord;

that it may please thee to rule and govern

thy holy Church Universal in the right way.

We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord.

All this 'cos you shouted at him.

That it may please thee...

It's called appeasement.

It's always been the strategy.

...our King and Governor.

We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord.

Everyone looks very appeased right now.

...to rule his heart in thy faith, fear, and love,

that it may always have...

Regretting the bishop's release already?

To ever seek thy honour and glory.

We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord.

What is going on with you, man?

You spent 40 years resolutely immutable,

and now you're as changeable as...

-As what? -As your brother.

We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord.

Don't worry about the bishop.

Or Mary.

Or any of that.

...Ministers of the Church...

I have her in hand.

...with true knowledge and understanding

-of the Word. -What about them?

We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord.

What about them?

And that both, by their preaching...

I can understand why the Princess Mary is not here.

But the Princess Elizabeth?

We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord.

And my daughter they've abandoned at home, too, I see.

They're all rather jolly for the grievously sick.

...and all the nobility with...

Who's sick?

I thought the Lady Catherine was meant to be strained

by her pregnancy.

Hence the princess' departure from her house.

I can't imagine what the other reason could be.

...to give all nations unity...

Tongues are wagging.

For the sake or your tongue, I hope not yours, sir.

- Amen. - Amen.

Sorry we left you behind, Jane.

It's--

I didn't want to draw attention

to one of our young female wards,

lest the other one's absence was noted.

Though it was pointless.

I was asked where Elizabeth was three times at court.

Shall we go back, for you were all smiles there?

Seems like you are not the only convincing actor

in the house then.

Jane, are you acting too?

Do you pretend also to find him amusing?

And what exactly is it that you doubt, my lady?

You.

I doubt you.

What would you have me do?

I would have you do nothing.

She writes every week, begging for my forgiveness.

Maybe I should, but...

...I cannot bring myself to reply.

This is what you have made me.

I've lost all compassion for a child.

A child, Thomas!

The only person that finds you remotely worthwhile

is an 11-year-old boy.

Well, he is the king.

An 11-year-old boy.

And me.

How much of a fool am I?

- -

Don't mind Catherine.

Or me, for that matter.

Sometimes things that seem insurmountable,

they're often resolved quickly.

Mm.

And none of these states that we find ourselves in