Anne of the Thousand Days

Henry confides his dissatisfaction with Catherine of Aragon to trusted courtiers. He begins a discreet affair with Mary Boleyn, the sister of Anne Boleyn, which deepens his restlessness. The court begins to sense that his marriage is in trouble.

Anne returns from her education in France to find her betrothal to the Earl of Northumberland's son at risk. Henry, now infatuated with her, orders Cardinal Wolsey to break the engagement. Anne reacts furiously, blaming both Wolsey and the king for ruining her happiness.

Anne initially resists Henry's advances, making it clear she will not become his mistress. She quickly discovers the power his attention can give her and begins to undermine Wolsey's standing at court.

Henry presses Anne to become his wife, hinting he might marry her in Catherine's place if necessary. Anne is stunned but accepts the possibility, recognizing the immense political advantage. The idea of the marriage is pursued amid court intrigue.

Wolsey pleads with the pope to grant Henry a divorce, but the pope refuses to yield. The failure to secure a papal decree fuels Henry's anger and drives him to press on regardless. In response, Wolsey is dismissed from office.

Wolsey's power collapses as Henry refuses to listen to him, and Anne is rewarded with the palace drawn from Wolsey's downfall. Henry and Anne sleep together, and after discovering she is pregnant, they marry secretly.

Anne is crowned magnificently, but the people jeer at her. Months later, she gives birth to a daughter, Elizabeth, which dismays Henry, who had hoped for a son. The marriage begins to cool as politics and desire diverge.

Henry's attention turns to Jane Seymour, one of Anne's maids. When Jane discovers the liaison, Anne banishes her from court.

During a row over Sir Thomas More's opposition to Anne's queenship, More is executed. Anne's subsequent pregnancy ends with a stillborn boy.

Thomas Cromwell tortures a servant into confessing to adultery with the queen and arrests four other courtiers. Anne is taken to the Tower and placed under arrest.

At Anne's trial, she cross-examines Mark Smeaton, who finally confesses that the charges against her were lies. Henry appears that night and offers freedom if she will annul their marriage and make their daughter illegitimate.

Anne refuses the offer, declaring she would rather die than betray their daughter. Henry orders her execution, and a French swordsman is summoned to carry out the sentence.

A few days after the decision, Anne is beheaded at the scaffold by a French swordsman. Henry quickly rides off to marry Jane Seymour, sealing his separation from Anne.

In the present, Elizabeth toddles in the garden as cannons fire to announce her mother's death. She witnesses the shifting fortunes of her family as Henry moves on with Jane Seymour.