Sixth and the Final Wife - Recap

The episode begins with King Henry talking to his Lords and tells Charles Brandon that he is to be appointed the Captain of his armies. Henry informs them that the Duke of Neher, the most successful to the Emperor is to come to court. Henry tells that he has always wanted to get King Francis and that he is a keeper of his word. The Marriage commences between Henry and Catherine. They exchange vows and a newly happy Lady Mary claps to the marriage. At Dinner, the newly appointed Queen Catherine tells the King that she would love to see the Lady Elizabeth and Prince Edward more and that Elizabeth should have permanent lodgings in the castle like Mary does. Henry agrees to this but tells that he doesn’t want Prince Edward to be visiting too often for fear that he get ill.

Charles Brandon is preparing for war and making sure that all the weapons are in order and appoints Lord Surrey and Thomas Seymour positions with him. Surrey and Seymour worry about the King’s health and talks about the rumors. Brandon reassures them that the King’s health is not going to stop him from going to war with the French. The Duke of Neher arrives to court with the help of Chapuis, the Spanish Ambassador, he communicates that he is happy to see England. However, at the sound of invitations to stay at court, the Duke says that he was only sent to make sure that the 40,000 troops the King promised were ready to go. Henry doesn’t take this too kindly as it is seen in his tone of voice and expression.

The Duke stays at court for the evening to appease the King and meets Queen Catherine Parr and the Lady Mary. Catherine offers her hand and the Duke kisses it, but the Lady Mary walks right up to the Duke and kisses him strait on the lips! Speaking Spanish, Mary thanks the Duke for coming and tells that she speaks Spanish a little thanks to her mother. To the side, Chapuis and the French Ambassador are talking about how “convenient” that the Duke show up for a visit of England when they are on the brink of war. Chapuis calls him a fool and tells him not to worry about it. Meanwhile, Bishop Gardiner and Mr. Grimsley are talking in secret and Gardiner tells that he is certain that the new queen is a heretic and that he needs to only prove it.

In the middle of the night, Henry’s leg is giving him trouble again but this time Catherine is there to show support and to help him nurse his leg. Telling him that she’s seen worse, Catherine reassures the King by moving her bed in his chamber during the course of his illness so that she is readily available to take care of him. On the training grounds, Charles is not used to this “War of Guns” as he called it. However, he takes an interest in a marksman named Richard Leland when he sees him hit the target perfectly. Back at the castle, Catherine meets Prince Edward and he thanks her for the gifts, saying that the King must love him very much if he keeps sending the presents. Catherine feels for the little boy and assures him that Henry loves him very much.

Henry enters in a rage and gets angry with his Lords that the battle is not yet going. He demands that the armies be ready in 10 days and that he will be coming with. He leaves Catherine to rule while he is away and that is not taken too lightly with Bishop Gardiner as you can tell he is shocked to the news. Henry’s health is failing as it is apparent as he gets up to leave. After everyone leaves, Sir Richard and Bishop Gardiner are talking about the lack of knowledge the new queen has and that it is foolish of the King to makes such a decision. Henry says his goodbyes to his family and assures Mary that he doesn’t intend to die when she starts crying. He tells Catherine that everything is set and that the throne is to go to Edward and if he is not ready, then to the Lady Mary.

Outside the city of Boulogne, France, the English troops are getting ready for battle and Kind Henry gives one of his motivational speeches to get them charged up. With the heavy artillery that they are going to use such as cannons, black powder and guns, it should be rather simple so the King feels. The battle begins and the French find that the cannons and gunfire can break down their fortifications and the English win the first round. Meanwhile back in the Castle, Catherine writes a letter to John Seymour and a Hugh Latimer enters. Catherine appoints him as her Chaplain and tells that reading the bible should not be a crime and that everyone should be able to read it. She informs Latimer to keep his position of the church private to the Lady Mary and not to persuade him to change her allegiance to the Catholic Church. Anne, Catherine’s lady in waiting, warns her not to trust Latimer, but she says that she is not a coward.

On the battleground, rain is stopping the progression towards the castle of Boulogne and a contracter for the diggings underneath the castle talks with the king and says that he will be under the castle in 3 weeks. This doesn’t work for Henry and he says to get it done in 2 weeks. The shifty eyes gives an impression that there is something more to this character then what he is portraying. Henry meets with everyone and talks about how the French are foolish, but they are interrupted when a messenger tells that the French are among them with the help of their own tunnels. Lord Surrey and Charles Brandon spring into action and Surrey and his men spot a runner in the forest. They chase after him but he is too quick and he disappears. Surrey and his men are alone when two arrows strike to of the men with Surrey. The two archers are killed by Surrey and another English Soldier and more come from over the hill. Before they attack Surrey a mysterious rock hits the men charging. It is Charles and his men. More French soldiers come over and the battle commences. After the battle a woman dressed as a solider emerges and cries over her father who is wounded.

Later that night Charles meets with the girl, whose name we find out is Bridgette, and tries to offer her food. He informs her that her father is alive and that she will be able to see him in a little while, saying that she will make a good ransom. Back in the castle Grimsley and Gardiner meet again and Grimsley tells the Bishop that Catherine has appointed Latimer as her Chaplain. This is giving Gardiner more and more reason to believe that she is a heretic. Catherine and Henry communicate through letters to which Catherine writes on how much she misses him. There is an outbreak of “the bloody flux” or Dysentery in the camp and 10 men are already dead from it. Surrey and Brandon are meeting and Surrey suggest that the King’s digger of tunnels wants revenge from denying him to build a mirror to see the French ships and that there are other spies in the camp as well. The episode ends with King Henry climbing to the top of his sentry looking at the battlefield with a fire in his eye.


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