The Tudors

Eager for conquest and glory, Henry itches to go to war with France but is instead advised by Cardinal Wolsey to support a course of peace.

Though he's pledged loyalty to France, Henry considers -- to Wolsey's objections -- the advantages of allying himself with King Charles V of Spain.

Henry tries to conceal his marital difficulties from Emperor Charles V, Queen Katherine's nephew. Meanwhile, the beautiful Anne Boleyn charms Henry.

Henry is declared a "Defender of the Faith" after he denounces Martin Luther, but he's troubled by his wife's inability to produce a legitimate heir.

The political winds shift against Henry when his supposed ally, Charles V, releases the King of France from prison. Henry's passion for Anne grows.

Henry's disillusionment with the Catholic Church grows when it is too slow to enact the annulment of his marriage to Katherine of Aragon.

England succumbs to an outbreak of the plague and a debilitating food shortage, causing Henry to grow despondent and doubt his fitness to lead.

Pope Clement finally sends an envoy to deliver judgment on Henry's petition to annul his marriage to Katherine of Aragon on grounds of illegitimacy.

Cardinal Wolsey's fortune fails; he is stripped of his title and authority and then banished from the court. Henry replaces him with Sir Thomas More.

Making one last desperate attempt to reverse his fortunes, the downfallen Cardinal Wolsey forges an alliance with his old enemy.