Anne Boleyn

DOOR OPENS

SHE SNIFFLES

How did you sleep, Your Grace?

It's a beautiful day.

Bright.

A walk, perhaps.

SHE EXHALES

INDISTINCT WHISPERING

She thinks she's better than us. Perhaps his attention is elsewhere.

God will never give them a son.

Are you sure you won't play, Your Grace?

Madge is also worthy opponent

and there is no satisfaction an easy win.

THEY CHUCKLE

At last, Elizabeth has lost, she will soon be forgotten.

The promises given in bed mean nothing in the cold light of day.

The marriage is condemned.

God will never gift them a son.

Disgrace. It is unclean.

She is ruined now.

She'll never be holy again.

He promised her everything...

How could she do that? God did not look well on her.

Nothing but a common whore.

She won't conceive again. Her body is ruined.

Witchcraft, that's what it is.

God will not look favourably.

It was deformed...

INDISTINCT

Perhaps his attention is elsewhere.

Witchcraft is alive and well in the king's household.

She's possessed.

INTERMINGLED WHISPERING CONTINUES

WHISPERING INTENSIFIES

My Lady...

..you are looking well.

I come from the king.

He will be happy to know you are...improving.

He doesn't come himself?

He's kept busy in Westminster.

He has not been himself since you were taken ill.

I would treat him delicately on his return.

None of your tempers.

You don't want to drive him into softer embraces.

How is your daughter enjoying married life, Uncle?

Very well.

To be married to the king's son is an honour...

..even if he is illegitimate.

It is...

One which I encouraged, if you remember.

I do.

I hear marriage has not yet been consummated.

Unconsummated marriages are precarious, as you know.

I would hate for anyone to try and separate them.

I care very much for my cousin.

Family bonds are so important.

Wouldn't you agree, Uncle?

Hmm...

..I would.

Off who trot back to Westminster, then.

The king will be anxious to hear from you.

FANFARE PLAYS

INDISTINCT CHATTER

We'll show this is a good idea.

If Christ, Our Lord was happy to wash the feet of the poor...

..so am I, dear brother.

The people need to see that I am back to my duties,

and if the king is to hear of my recovery, all the better.

Uh! Oh!

CHOIR SINGS RELIGIOUS SONG

WATER TRICKLES

WOMAN SCREAMS

Whore! Get off!

WOMAN SPITS

Get off me. Get off!

Get her out. She's a whore.

She killed our true queen.

Pay for your sins...

Time to depart, Your Grace.

Let's get you out of here before they nail you to a cross, dear sister.

Make sure her body is strapped up on the tower for all to see.

Tell the stable to prepare my horse.

We're going to Hatfield.

No, we have to go back to the palace.

The public has turned against me and Elizabeth might be in danger.

I need to know that she's safe.

CHILD BABBLES

Look how you've grown, brave girl.

That's right. Come on.

Sh!

ELIZABETH CRIES

She hardly knows me.

I could have brought her to court.

I would have welcomed the chance to see my own daughter.

I would be much obliged if you would find me a place

at the palace, Your Grace.

After everything Madge has done for you, everything we have done...

..it would be a comfort to us both.

I wasn't aware that fucking a king was such a chore.

Your eyes and ears are needed here.

THEY SPEAK INDISTINCTLY

Is that the Spanish ambassador?

Tell them to approach.

He would welcome him in Spain...

The offer is open, always.

What does Chapuys want with Mary?

And here comes Shelton.

Her Grace wishes to speak with you.

Fetch the ambassador back here at once.

He's denying a direct request from the queen.

He will not come.

He sees no queen here.

You forget who you're talking to.

It's all right, George. The girl is grieving.

Loss makes people forget themselves.

You have no love for me, that much is clear, but perhaps you will show

a little more respect to Elizabeth.

You are a member of her household after all.

You know nothing of respect.

You jumped into your lady's marital bed

and then danced around in...to her death.

You think I don't have correspondents at court?

I have more friends than you know.

Cromwell himself sent me this.

It belonged to my mother.

Although you would know that, of course,

having served her so many years.

Come, George, we should be getting back.

The king never likes to be without me for long.

I'd like the princess to spend some extended time at court.

I'll send Madge to fetch her.

That way we can both see our daughters.

Give Cromwell my thanks for his efforts, won't you?

He tells me he's working hard with Chapuys to secure my succession.

The throne will be mine if you're as barren as they say.

..dispatched immediately. Sir.

Don't return until you have an answer.

Care to expand the little menage a trois

that is developing between you, Mary and Chapuys?

Your Grace. I have just returned from a Hatfield,

where the Spanish ambassador seems to be getting awfully cosy

with Henry's bastard.

Have you been making back-door deals with Spain?

The king has instructed me to negotiate new trade deals

with the ambassador.

There is nothing "back door" about it.

Henry has requested this?

The economic potential is huge, you know that.

It is prudent for us to seek a new relationship with Spain.

And the question of Mary's succession.

What of it? Don't play innocent, Cromwell.

Have you offered to restore Mary in exchange for an alliance?

I've merely asked the ambassador for his terms, I've promised nothing.

I'm warning you, Cromwell,

do not touch Elizabeth's birthright.

No-one will bargain away her claim to the throne.

It's just me.

Come on. Your Grace?

You are exhausted. I insist.

My sister and I used to sleep in a bed together every night

when we were girls.

ANNE CHUCKLES

We have shared much in our lifetime.

SHE LAUGHS

Hm.

ANNE SIGHS

I'm with child.

I wanted to tell you sooner, but then after everything with your...

..I couldn't bear.

That's wonderful news.

I'm happy for you.

It's not my husband's.

George.

Then I'm sorry...

..for you both.

Surely something can be done.

I love him.

You will have your baby, but it will not be George's.

The scandal would be too great.

George must be without reproach, we must all be.

I do not want it, if it cannot be his.

Never wash away a child, Lizzie.

Tomorrow, you will reunite with your husband,

tell him your good news.

He will know it isn't his.

We have... I will love the baby as if it were a Boleyn.

I promise you will be looked after.

Sleep now.

ANNE SIGHS

BIRDS CAW

INDISTINCT CHATTER

And I want to make sure you include a...

INDISTINCT

Whatever for? He feels neglect could lead to unrest.

I'll discuss it with him.

You've been avoiding me.

Whose idea was this?

Leave.

You don't fear me, surely?

Hm.