First Look

(melancholy music) - Master Cromwell.

Where are you from?

- Putney.

Left when I was a boy.

- [Cardinal Wolsey] Your father?

- Blacksmith.

- Ah, at last a man born in a more lowly state than myself.

- He comes from nothing.

Who knows what he is.

I heard he killed a man abroad, and never made confession.

- [Cromwell] I want to work for him, the cardinal.

- Doing what?

- Whatever he wants.

- [Liz] We have enough.

- I don't want to spend my life dealing in conveyances, Liz.

- [Liz] You know what you're doing, I suppose.

At least you always look as if you do.

(laughs) - Perhaps you should teach me your three card trick, in case we both end up on the streets.

(laughs) 18 years of marriage with no heir.

The king wants a new wife.

So, it's back to Rome for an annulment.

- Cromwell, tell your cardinal that he had his last chance.

- You're a friend to one priest only, and he's the most corrupt in Christendom.

- Cardinal Wolsey, you're dismissed as lord chancellor, by the King's orders.

- This is what they've waited for.

They won't rest until they have my head.

- What is it?

Say it.

- He died.

I knealt by his body, and I prayed to God to send vengeance upon them all.

- There's no need to trouble God, George.

I'll take it in hand.

- The King is at Greenwich, you are to come now.

- [Cromwell] I need men who aren't afraid of controversy.

- Master Cromwell, your reputation is bad.

- Your majesty can form your own opinions.

- I will.

- I swear to be a true and faithful counselor to the King's majesty, as one of His Highness's privy council.

- I trust in your discretion and your skill.

- He has ridden off without saying goodbye.

He has never done that before.

- Your Highness will be going to another palace in Chertsey for a few days.

- I expected this, but I didn't expect he would send a man like you.

- I hear that Rome will issue a decree telling the King to part from me.

- Lady Anne.

- This will happen.

The Pope will learn his place.

I mean to have him.

- Now is the time for you to become the king you should be.

The sole and supreme head of your kingdom.

- We're putting a bill of succession forward recognizing Anne as Henry's lawful wife.

- This bill of yours, taking power from the bishops, making Henry head of the church, aren't you afraid?

- The ayes have it.

(crowd cheering) - England is ours.

- Long life the King!

How many men can say my only friend is the King of England?

- Everything that you are, everything that you have will come from me.

If a king cannot have a son, if he cannot give stability to his realm, then it doesn't matter what else he can do.

You must free me from Anne.

- It won't be easy.

- Do I keep you for what is easy?

Do you think I've promoted you for the charm of your presence?

You know my decision.

Execute it.

- I could keep my eyes open in places you cannot go, in Anne's rooms, for example.

Do you think she's given up all her nimble young men?

- Tell us about your adultery with the Queen.

- You are not a gentleman born, you should not meddle in affairs of those set above you.

- You have gone too far.

You have put my honor in jeopardy.

What would a man like you know about the honor of princes?

- God preserve your majesty.

(dramatic violin music) - At the first opportunity, you've betrayed me.

But you've forgotten the most important thing, those who've been made can be unmade.

(dramatic violin music)