[speaking while holding his newborn daughter] Who knows, perhaps one day this little girl will preside over empires.
“The Act of Succession” · Season 2, Episode 4
In this episode: Thomas Cromwell (3), King Henry VIII (2), Charles Brandon (1), Thomas More (1)
Majesty, I have just heard that the Pope intends to make Reverend Fisher a cardinal. [Henry laughes coldly at this] Apparently, he has already dispatched a cardinal's hat.
Then Fisher will have to wear it upon his shoulders, for by the time it gets here, he won't have a head to put it on!
It is rumored that, perhaps, you have a great sympathy for the Dowager Princess Catherine of Aragon.
Don't you?
(pause) Actually, I do. I'm not heartless, whatever some people think- quite the contrary. (pause) But...I serve the King. (pause) The King intends to emplace the succession in the children he will have with Queen Anne Boleyn. A bill is to be put before Parliament- he wants to know if it will have your support. (pause, as Charles considers his position)
WBWillaim Brereton
(watching Anne dance with Henry) I could still do it. I could find a way to poison her.
IAImperial Ambassador Eustace Chapuys
No.
WBWilliam Brereton
But, I thought that was-
ECEustace Chapuys
It would be blamed on my master. At the moment, he doesn't need that; he has a war with the Turks to contend with.
WBWilliam Brereton
But, why should anyone ever know?
ECEustace Chapuys
Don't be stupid, Brereton. They would find you and torture you, and you would tell them everything.
WBWilliam Brereton
No I wouldn't. I'd die a martyr's death.
ECEustace Chapuys
(smirks) You've never even seen a man being tortured, have you? (pause) You understand? You don't act alone.
PPage
Sir Thomas More. (Cromwell looks up and smiles)
Sir Thomas. (rises)
Mr. Secretary.
Please be seated. This is- er- quite an informal occasion. (picks up a pitcher) A little ale, perhaps?
(stiffly) No, thank you.
(smiles and shakes his head)... I'm sure we both know the object that has brought us together. It is very widely rumored, Sir Thomas, that you will refuse to take the Oath of Succession. Now, I say this to you very openly and sincerely, that I wish no harm to come to a great man who has, for years, enjoyed and deserved His Majesty's good graces. I would rather lose my own son, than to see any hurt come to you. (More smiles slightly) May I ask your opinion of the King's new marriage?
(bluntly) I have no opinion. I neither murmur at it, nor dispute upon it. I never did- never will.
Then, what of His Majesty's claim to supremacy over the Church of England?
(nods thoughtfully) Mmm... I was... unsure about this matter. (pause) Until I re-read His Majesty's own pamphlet, the Assertio Septum Sacramentorum. (Cromwell frowns inquiringly) In fact, I, um, have a copy of it here. (sets the pamphlet on Cromwell's desk) Of course, in the pamphlet, the King asserts the divine origin of the Papacy. The Pope's supremacy descends directly from the Rock of Saint Peter. I think you'll find His Majesty's arguments are as... persuasive and powerful now, as they were when he first wrote them.
... Will you take the Oath? I need hardly remind you of the consequences of not doing so.
(quietly, coldly) Mr. Secretary, I am the King's loyal subject. I say no harm, I think no harm- but I wish everybody good. And, if this be not enough to keep a man alive, in good faith- then, I long not to live. (stands to leave)
(exasperated) Sir Thomas. You should know that the King himself has no mind to coerce you. He simply asks that you relent- and condescend to his request that you take the Oath.
(turns back)... Mr. Cromwell, please impart to the King my utter faithfulness, truthfulness and loyalty to him. (leaves)
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