Can you lance them both with a stick? Okay, that’s gross, particularly because I said ulcer and not boil. Although, I wouldn’t necessarily put it past what they considered “modern” medicine in the time of Henry VIII….
Anyway … this week’s episode of The Tudors continued the dynasty’s march through history with yet another lesson in the formation of the Church of England. I have to say: I’m not Catholic, but Henry (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and all of his subjects most definitely were. Loyalty oath to the king or no, every single one of those mixed-up kids subscribed to Catholic dogma. And yet, with the world shifting beneath their feet, they struggled to rebuild, not from the ashes or even the flames, but from a house not yet set on fire, the direction of their country. Sure, it was because Henry was an egomaniacal serial-groom, but today, the Church of England is a truly profound and beautiful institution that instructs the lives of many millions of people. While Henry’s motives may not have been virtuous, it’s hard to argue with the result.
But hindsight is the gift of the present, and, for the people of England, and in particular the Pilgrimage of Grace, the Reformation was far from a pleasant, or desired, experience. The rebels laid siege to Pontefract Castle in Yorkshire, trapping soldiers, local gentry and even an Archbishop inside. Negotiations reveal what has already been declared: the rebels are loyal to the king, and only fight against the tyrannical rule of Thomas Cromwell (James Frain), Earl of Essex and architect of the Reformation. I realize I’m splitting hairs on history here, but isn’t an uprising against the king’s men and his policies an uprising against the throne? The fact that eventually these rabble-rousers weren’t all treated as traitors only solidifies the argument that Henry, like them, ascribed to Catholicism.
Meanwhile, back home, Henry continues to ail from his ulcerating leg, finding comfort in a nursemaid. How quickly he moved on from Jane Seymour (Annabelle Wallis), the love of his life! The reality is his actions aren’t surprising for any king, let alone one who switched his country’s religion so he could marry the next lady who caught his fancy.
And while continuing to suffer, Henry orchestrated his response to the rebellion: total cessation. The expected play of pitting nobles against commoners fails, but in the end, it’s Henry’s thinly veiled belief in the rebels’ cause that brings them all to the table. He “fools” them into believing he’ll provide a forum for their grievances, but with a promise for a parliament (town hall meeting) and the potential restoration of certain abbeys, has Henry really ended the cries for the Pope in his country?
Speaking of which, we haven’t heard much out of Rome that rings with compassion for the souls of the people of England. Much of the Papacy’s grasp for control of the British church smells of ego and a fear of losing some alms. Was it not until later centuries that the Vatican actually grew a heart?
In Henry’s personal life, surprisingly, strength comes in the form of a lady. Jane has not given up on reconciling Henry with his first daughter, Mary (Sarah Bolger). A visit from her at court leaves Henry swearing to rectify every way in which he has wronged Mary in the past. While moving, isn’t it strange for Jane to be potentially bumping her children from the line of succession? There’s no answer to the question to be had today, but I wonder what Jane was thinking, and what she knew when she started on that campaign. And, if Mary, what about Elizabeth? Did Catholic Jane foresee Mary returning the Church of England to Papal authority, and Elizabeth preferring to follow her father’s lead? Shame then that Elizabeth is the one who ended up settling the country’s religious affairs.
Like I’ve said before: not much comes as a surprise in this historical retelling, but the way in which the tale unfolds still manages to amaze and entertain me. I’ve even found myself wondering if this time, the Queen will stick …
Okay, it’s never gone that far; but this is one show you can enjoy, even with the end ruined for you.
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Apr 13, 2009 @ 16:00 EST5EDT
