List of The Tudors episodes

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The following is a list of episodes for the Showtime television series The Tudors. The series formally began April 1, 2007. Individual episodes are numbered, but do not have titles. Most episodes represent about a year with respect to known historical events.[1]

Contents

[edit] Season 1

Ep.# Episode Setting [2] Director(s) Writer(s) Original airdate
1.1 "Episode 1"  1518 Charles McDougall & Steve Shill Michael Hirst April 1, 2007

The young, virile king of one of the most powerful nations in the world, King Henry VIII of England seems to have it all. However, he is troubled by religious unrest in his own kingdom, as well as political struggles and changing allegiances with other countries. And weighing most on his mind is his failure thus far to produce a male heir with his Queen, Katherine of Aragon;[3] so far their only child is the young Princess Mary, on whom he dotes. The aunt of the powerful Spanish Emperor Charles, Katherine is all that a Queen should be, and popular with the people, but the difficult pursuit of a divorce approved by the Pope becomes a seductive option.

Henry's uncle, Ambassador to Italy, is assassinated by the French and Henry seizes upon this event to plan a war with France to establish his immortal reputation and seize back the title of King of France. More interested in his own ambitions, the Lord Chancellor, Cardinal Wolsey, manipulates the young king to propose a "Treaty of Universal Peace" with France instead. Thomas More, Henry's teacher and a humanist, is in favor of the treaty which further convinces a reluctant Henry to abandon his war plans. A summit is to take place in France, and — against Katherine's express wishes — their daughter Mary is to be betrothed to the Dauphin of France, also still a child. Meanwhile, Henry has a rival to the throne in the Duke of Buckingham, a blood relative to the King that Henry's father replaced. Buckingham plots to murder Henry and thus grab the throne for himself, letting Thomas Boleyn and the Duke of Norfolk in on his plan. Boleyn's beautiful daughters Mary and Anne prepare to meet King Henry; meanwhile, Henry discovers that Lady Elizabeth Blount, his mistress and one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting, is pregnant with his child. 
1.2 "Episode 2"  1519 Charles McDougall Michael Hirst April 8, 2007
With Thomas More's encouragement, King Henry prepares to meet King Francis of France and sign Cardinal Wolsey's peace treaty. Henry had promised the hand of his daughter, Princess Mary, to the Dauphin of France, which caused strife between Henry and his queen, Katherine of Aragon. In France, Thomas Boleyn maneuvers his elder daughter Mary into Henry's bed in an effort to secure favor for the family. The Duke of Buckingham plots against the King, claiming a better right to the throne than Henry Tudor; but his purpose is betrayed by Thomas Boleyn. Katherine of Aragon continues to pray for Henry to give her a live, healthy son, but Henry wrestles with the theological problem of having married his brother's wife, and questions whether his lack of sons could be God's punishment. There is much celebration as Lady Elizabeth Blount gives birth to Henry's illegitimate son, to Katherine's pain. 
1.3 "Episode 3"  1521 Steve Shill Michael Hirst April 15, 2007
As Cardinal Wolsey has lost his chance to be Pope with King Henry's decision to go to war against France, a new accord with Spain and Queen Katherine's nephew Charles, Holy Roman Emperor, offers him fresh hope. Thomas More is knighted by Henry, and charged with destroying any copies of the Lutheran "heresy" he can seize, obviously paining More (although he, too, considers it heretical). Princess Mary's engagement to the Dauphin of France is broken off in favour of a marriage to Charles of Spain; and Henry's elder sister, Princess Margaret, is to marry the King of Portugal. Charles Brandon, Henry's friend, is made Duke of Suffolk in order to be able to escort her to Portugal. 
1.4 "Episode 4"  1521 Steve Shill Michael Hirst April 22, 2007
As a reward for his denunciation of Martin Luther in his book, the Defence of the Seven Sacraments, the Pope christens Henry "Defender of the Faith", but a brush with death causes the King to seek a solution to his lack of an heir. Princess Margaret reluctantly marries the decrepit King of Portugal, but the union is short-lived; Henry's desire for Anne Boleyn intensifies. 
1.5 "Episode 5"  c. 1526 Brian Kirk Michael Hirst April 29, 2007
King Henry is stunned by a reversal in his alliance with Emperor Charles and forced to look elsewhere for European support, while Anne Boleyn refuses his offer of mistress status, inflaming his desire to marry her. Katherine of Aragon's alliance with Charles and her hatred for Cardinal Wolsey intensify. 
1.6 "Episode 6"  c. 1527 Brian Kirk Michael Hirst May 6, 2007
As King Henry gains in confidence, his displeasure with the way the Catholic church handles his request for an annulment of his marriage to Katherine of Aragon grows. As a result, Cardinal Wolsey's position is weakening, leaving him vulnerable to his enemies. 
1.7 "Episode 7"  1528 Alison Maclean Michael Hirst May 13, 2007
William Compton dies of the "sweating sickness" at Compton Wynates, his house in Warwickshire. As King Henry VIII receives positive news of his war against Emperor Charles, the sickness spreads wildly. Henry flees the palace and London, and starts having doubts about the future and his ability to rule the country. Both Anne Boleyn and Cardinal Wolsey are stricken with the disease. 
1.8 "Episode 8"  1528 Alison Maclean Michael Hirst May 20, 2007

The Pope's legate Cardinal Campeggio arrives to hear the case for King Henry VIII's divorce from Katherine of Aragon. Cardinal Wolsey intimidates Campeggio: "Let me make certain things plain to you. If you do not grant the King his divorce, papal authority in England will be annihilated!"

Wolsey has assured Henry that the divorce will be granted, but the Pope and Campeggio are not so easily swayed. A desperate Wolsey begs Queen Katherine to abdicate the marriage, but she ultimately refuses. Wolsey's enemies circle; Anne Boleyn plants more doubt in Henry's mind about Wolsey, who soon threatens Campeggio both physically and politically. A Legatine Court convenes at Blackfriar's Church, and both Henry and Katherine plead their cases. 
1.9 "Episode 9"  1529 Ciaran Donnelly Michael Hirst June 3, 2007
The legatine trial on the legitimacy of King Henry's marriage to Katherine continues despite the queen's refusal to attend, but the papal envoy receives notice to return to Rome and place the evidence to the judgement of the Curia. The king engages in frantic diplomacy with the French king, but he aligns with the Holy Roman Emperor instead. The pope procrastinates and Henry, goaded by the conspirators Thomas Boleyn, the Duke of Norfolk and Charles Brandon, strips Wolsey of his temporal power and properties, bans him from court and appoints him Archbishop of York. Thomas More reluctantly succeeds Wolsey as Chancellor of the realm and Princess Margaret falls ill with tuberculosis and dies. Anne Boleyn subtly and opportunely asks the king to reacquaint himself with the subject of Lutheranism. 
1.10 "Episode 10"  1530 Ciaran Donnelly Michael Hirst June 10, 2007
Wolsey, now the Bishop of York and living in relative poverty, is repudiated by Anne Boleyn and writes to Queen Katherine instead, trying to gain her support. Thomas More uses his new powers as Chancellor and starts actively persecuting prominent Lutherans. King Henry finds his new Privy Counsellors less proficient than Wolsey was in running the country. He also starts finding elements much to his liking in the teachings of Luther, and dispatches Thomas Cromwell to various faculties of theology, hopefully to obtain favorable opinions regarding his intended divorce. Wolsey's secret communication with the Queen is uncovered and he is arrested and charged with high treason; his fall from grace complete, Wolsey laments his decadent lifestyle and commits suicide en route to London. Anne Boleyn engages Henry in a sexual encounter, but forces him to perform coitus interruptus after which a furious Henry storms off. 

[edit] Season 2

Ep.# Episode Setting [2] Director(s) Writer(s) Original airdate
2.1 "Episode 1"  1531 Ciaran Donnelly Michael Hirst March 30, 2008
As he seeks the annulment of his marriage to Katherine of Aragon, King Henry VIII appoints himself the head of the Church of England. Anne Boleyn insists that Henry remove Queen Katherine from the picture -- and Court. The new Pope Paul III, not wanting to displease either the king or the queen, practically suggests that Anne Boleyn be assassinated instead. Thomas Cranmer receives a promotion as the king's chaplain. The Boleyns bribe a cook to poison the food of the dissident Bishop of Rochester, John Fisher. The bishop survives and the cook is boiled alive. King Henry banishes the Queen from court. At the end of this episode the Spanish ambassador is seen discussing the assassination of Anne with an unknown, hooded man. 
2.2 "Episode 2"  1532 Ciaran Donnelly Michael Hirst April 6, 2008
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. When Anne Boleyn insists Henry break all contacts with Katherine, the Queen is banished from court. The Reformation has begun. Anne is created Marquess of Pembroke before she and Henry visit France to present Anne as the future Queen of England and Henry's future wife. 
2.3 "Episode 3"  1533 Ciaran Donnelly Michael Hirst April 13, 2008
Henry destroys all ties with authority and the past. After many failed attempts to have his marriage to Katherine annulled by the Catholic Church, Henry runs out of patience and marries a pregnant Anne Boleyn in secret. He appoints the young Lutheran Thomas Cranmer to succeed the deceased William Warham as Archbishop of Canterbury and strips Queen Katherine of her title and status, along with Princess Mary; they are hence to be known as the Princess Dowager of Wales and the Lady Mary, respectively. Anne Boleyn is crowned Queen of England to a very small and uneager crowd and escapes an assassination attempt. Pope Paul III threatens to excommunicate the king and the church of England from the Roman Catholic Church if Henry does not return to Katherine. Henry is also disappointed when Anne Boleyn gives birth to a daughter, Elizabeth, instead of his desired son, and soon resumes his philandering with ladies of the court. 
2.4 "Episode 4"  1534 Ciaran Donnelly Michael Hirst April 20, 2008
Questions of faith dominate the court. As the infant Princess Elizabeth is baptised, the 'Act of Succession' is unveiled declaring that only children of Henry and Anne are legitimate successors to the English throne. A law is passed where every royal subject must take an oath, on pain of death, recognising the validity of the King's new marriage and the supremacy of Henry VIII in all matters. Bishop Fisher and Sir Thomas More refuse and are imprisoned in the Tower. Catherine of Aragon lives now in total seclusion, and Lady Mary is sent to be a nanny to the baby Princess Elizabeth, her half-sister. Pregnant again, Anne Boleyn, at her father's prompting, tacitly approves of the king's philandering with ladies of the court, albeit those of her own choosing and posing no political threat to her. 
2.5 "Episode 5"  1535 Ciaran Donnelly Michael Hirst April 27, 2008
Attempts to legitimise the King's marriage and increase his power hit firm obstacles as Sir Thomas More and Cardinal Fisher insist that only Christ can be the head of the church. Meanwhile Henry's wandering eye continues to roam. Anne miscarries a child and fears that the king has lost his love for her. Anne also fears the Lady Mary and Katherine of Aragon for she feels that Henry may still designate Mary as future Queen over their own daughter, Elizabeth. Also, Anne's relationship with her sister, Mary Boleyn, deteriorates when she marries a commoner in secret and is now pregnant with his child without asking her permission. Imprisoned in the Tower, Cardinal Fisher and Sir Thomas More face likely execution unless they take the Oath of Allegiance. Both still refuse, even after More received pleas from his family, and both are found guilty of high treason, and are beheaded. 
2.6 "Episode 6"  c. 1535 Ciaran Donnelly Michael Hirst May 4, 2008
As the Reformation gathers pace, Sir Thomas Cromwell becomes ever more powerful as propagandist-in-chief of a new moral order. Royal confidence has given way to doubt. Henry is haunted by the memory of the executed Thomas More while Queen Anne Boleyn's insecurities border on paranoia. Her husband's affairs continue and an effort to have her daughter Elizabeth betrothed to a French prince fails when the French King refuses to recognise that the infant Princess is of legitimate birth. 
2.7 "Episode 7"  1536 Ciaran Donnelly Michael Hirst May 11, 2008
As Thomas Cromwell's increasingly ruthless 'reforms' spread terror through an ever more vulnerable Catholic Church, 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. Meanwhile Henry is occupied by the sad news of Katherine's death and later has a happy encounter with Lady Jane Seymour. Anne Boleyn announces to her father that she is pregnant with a son. 
2.8 "Episode 8"  1536 Ciaran Donnelly Michael Hirst May 18, 2008
At Henry's command Jane Seymour is made a lady-in-waiting to Anne Boleyn, to the discomfort and suspicion of the Queen. Emperor Charles indicates his interest in renewed relation with England. However Charles insisted that legitimizing Lady Mary as Henry's heir be a condition of the renewed relation. Anne catches Henry with Jane. When Henry is seriously injured in a jousting match all thoughts turn to who might succeed him. The stress of catching Henry with Jane and Henry's injury gives way for another miscarriage. Discouraged by yet another failed pregnancy, the episode closes with Henry declaring his marriage with Anne null and void, citing witchcraft. 
2.9 "Episode 9"  c. 1536 Ciaran Donnelly Michael Hirst May 25, 2008
Anne has lost a son and with it her last chance at a lasting marriage with Henry. The King's affections are shifting anyway: the Seymour family are awarded rooms at court and seem likely to replace the Boleyns as royal favourites. Several in the court begin to move against Anne who is accused of adultery. Arrests are made of suspected lovers and of Anne herself. All, including the Queen, are sentenced to death. 
2.10 "Episode 10"  c. 1536 Ciaran Donnelly Michael Hirst June 1, 2008
As Anne Boleyn awaits her death, painfully delayed by the executioner's late arrival, Henry visits Jane Seymour and asks for her hand in marriage. Declaring his marriage to Anne null and void means that their daughter Elizabeth becomes illegitimate and is no longer in line to the throne - clearing the way for a legitimate heir to come from his marriage with Jane. The season ends with Anne Boleyn's beheading. 

[edit] Season 3

[edit] References

  1. ^ A slightly neutered Tudors. The Toronto Star (28 September 2007).
  2. ^ a b The Setting given for each episode comes from key real events from the episode with known dates.
  3. ^ As established by the series credits and character list on the official website, the character's name is spelled Katherine with a "K" in contrast to the English language spelling "Catherine" usually used for the actual historical figure.
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