Anne of the Thousand Days Page #2

I kneel. I pray. He answers.

But can that be seen to be so?

Why else would His Holiness the Pope

have named you Defender of the Faith?

True. True.

I am a religious man.

I want to do right by God

and the Ohurch,

and the people and myself,

and you, Thomas.

Do you follow?

That's a swathe of folk to satisfy,

if it includes God, Your Grace.

It includes your two daughters, Thomas.

- Are they friends?

- Yes.

And do they exchange confidences,

do you think?

Do they whisper together at night

secrets about me, perhaps?

Who knows, Your Grace?

The one you have had,

the other you desire.

Will Anne have me, and for myself?

- I want an honest answer.

- She's no fool, My Lord.

Good. Good.

What I do is God's will

and my prayer always is

that He will allow no thought

to enter my heart or mind

that is not His will.

He has...

He has never failed me, Thomas.

But Your Majesty realises

this might seem as...

As what?

As an excuse to to do as you please,

to eat the trough dry.

I'm the King of England.

When I pray, God answers.

Yes, Your Grace.

And let no man dare question that.

Or woman.

Again.

- I'm angry with myself.

- Why?

Well, think of the years I spent

at the French court.

I was surrounded by gallant,

captivating, exquisite French courtiers

and I loved none of them.

No sooner do I return

than I fall in love with a...

- "Olodhopper," said His Majesty.

- He was right.

No manners, can't dance,

can't sing, can't...

- Oan put his arms around you.

- Not as well as I've known it done.

But they are the arms I want,

for some God knows what reason.

I love your awkwardness.

But if we love enough to marry,

we must keep nothing back.

So?

- Are we to bed together? Before?

- If you like.

Kiss me.

Are you a virgin?

- I'm a man.

- I know, but are you a virgin?

When we bed together,

shall I be your first?

- I...

- Speak out.

Well, I'll say it frankly

as they do in France.

In England we make muddy mysteries

of such things as if they were crimes.

We don't come out of a rainbow at 17

and there's no use pretending we do.

You may ask me whatever you like.

- Are you a virgin?

- No.

- In France?

- Yes. And long before.

When I was little,

I was playing with a boy

and he threw me down...

The King refuses you

permission to marry.

- But...

- Why? Why, My Lord?

Marriages of the nobility

are affairs of State.

I was wrong to encourage you.

The King wishes you to marry

a daughter of the Earl of Shrewsbury.

I am pledged to Anne.

It is a good match.

I brought you to court. You're a member

of my household. You will obey.

The world knew we meant to marry.

Nothing was said against it.

You've heard the King's pleasure

against it.

A half grown steer and a leggy girl

will not be allowed

to overturn the policies of State.

Why was nothing said?

Her father, my father,

and you, My Lord Oardinal,

who knows the King's business

better than himself.

Be silent!

You will obey

or your estates will be forfeit.

If you show further disloyalty,

it's doubtful how long you'll live.

The Duke of Buckingham

lost his head for less. Now go.

You must go.

Kiss me, then.

Don't touch her.

- Be careful of yourself.

- I will, for you.

My Lord, I love him truly

and we are pledged to each other.

If you force him to marry elsewhere,

although I am only a girl,

you'll know you have an enemy.

Madam, you do me wrong.

I have no spleen against you,

I am only a messenger.

Messenger? Who has chosen for me?

When Henry of England

turns his eyes on a girl,

she can hardly look away.

- The King has asked for me?

- He has.

And sent you to me?

It is sometimes my duty

to anticipate his desires.

Even in carnal matters,

My Lord Oardinal?

We have had the King in the bosom

of this family for some years.

My sister Mary is with child by him

and of no further use.

I shall not go the way of my sister.

You would be wise to anticipate

my answer

and spare His Majesty any annoyance.

I will not be a mistress of the King

even with the blessing

of a prince of the Ohurch.

- Good sport in Boleyn's woods.

- And in his bowers.

I heard you, Norris.

Well, you two, tell me,

man to man, all kingship aside,

- what's the best way to win a maid?

- A maid?

I couldn't swear to it medically,

but it's young and it's wild.

My skills are not for

the grade of female you seek.

I'm more successful with waiting women.

Don't be modest.

I've followed your spoor so close

there was scarce time

to close the window you left by

or change perfumes

to put me off the scent.

Speak on, your lure,

your most seductive.

- You'll not be offended?

- I'll be offended if you hold back.

If you truly want her, make her believe

that you are potent only with her.

Pretend that you've tried with others.

Gone to bed, kissed hotly,

but hung embarrassed and unable.

But with her you rouse up.

You're a man again.

They can't resist that.

They open like...

Never mind the simile.

Yes. What a game. What a ploy.

Dare I ask, has Your Grace

ever been refused by a wench?

Who? I? Refused? Why, never.

When I've wanted them, I've had them.

When I've had a wench, I'm cured.

That's general, isn't it?

Your Grace, can you all leave talking

of virgins to look at the venison?

Yes, yes. Oome, come.

Next to the haunch of a virgin,

there's nothing

like a haunch of venison.

Do you also offer me up

to this royal bull?

You, my father?

And you, my mother?

- Lower your voice!

- Do you know what it is to be in love?

- I love Harry Percy and will marry him.

- You'll have us all dead or disgraced.

Lower your voice.

The royal bull can't force you.

Brother, I must fight. I must.

Do you know what it means

when a king asks for you?

I can ask my pregnant

and foolish sister.

Turn him away and we can say farewell

to all we've worked for.

If our parents had not taken advantage

what would've become of us?

If we lose favour, we lose everything.

Then say goodbye to it all,

for I will not take the King to my bed!

Your Majesty.

I was so anxious to see you, madam,

I ran ahead.

Have you been faithful to me

or lying about with this husband?

Remarkable women you breed, you Howards.

[laughter]

Norfolk, greet your sister.

I've brought your brother

to make sure I was welcome.

George, you should have hunted with us

and not stayed at home with the ladies.

Nan.

- Give me a kiss.

- Yes, Your Majesty.

And now on the lips, sweet Nan.

I've been taking medicines for a cold.

My breath is foul, Your Grace.

Your health is very dear to us.

You must needs keep well.

We live all too brief a span.

What little we have

should not be wasted.

Well, there's no trace of medicine

or fever on these sweet lips.

The surprise of Your Majesty's visit

must have cured me.

Wonderful. I shall continue the cure.

Shall I dismiss the chaperones?

- By your leave.

- Yes, by your leave.

Yes, without your leave.

Off. Out. All of you, go.

Oompanions, brothers.

Lawyer. Go.

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