Anne Boleyn (episode)

Plot
Having seen Anne's rise in the preceding episode, this episode focuses primarily on her downfall, documenting the disintegration of her marriage in the face of two miscarriages and the king's infidelities. Anne's brother, Sir George Boleyn (with whom she was accused of having incest), is shown anxiously trying to advise and counsel her to be more prudent and cautious in her conduct with the King. But Anne continues to berate Henry for his infidelities, which elicits not-so-veiled threats from him in return. Anne's final failure to give Henry a son seals her doom. The storyline was heavily influenced by academic theories that believed Anne was the victim of a factional and political plot, concocted by her many enemies (among them, Thomas Cromwell and Lady Rochford, Anne's treacherous sister-in-law), who capitalized on the king's disillusionment with her. As with most media treatments of Anne's destruction, the episode followed the historical research, which has all but proved her innocence. The scriptwriter used Anne's final confession of her sins (a burden that Archbishop Thomas Cranmer would have to bear to the end of his days), to suggest her total innocence on charges of adultery, incest, treason and witchcraft.

Quotes
Anne Boleyn: I am innocent, that is sure. And I am a victim. That, too, is sure. This whole mockery is unworthy of you, uncle. It is unworthy of you as representative of my gentle husband. This trial is no trial, but a signature on a document. The poorest subject is given justice that I am denied. I am the Queen and entitled to better than you have given me. Accusations, papers, lies are easy means of denying the truth to a court of men. But the truth shall be known in that court which shall judge us all in time. I am sorry for you, Cromwell, for in condemning me, you condemn yourself elsewhere. Give your verdict, gentlemen, but remember I am your Queen.

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Lady Boleyn: The King will remember what you are to him.

Anne Boleyn: They're not building that scaffold for nothing.

Lady Boleyn: I am sure he will remember.

Anne Boleyn: I know my husband! He is a hunter...

Lady Boleyn: Madam...

Anne Boleyn: When he has sported, he will kill. 'Tis his nature. And I am the prey.