Ep 4. Episode 4

King Henry VIII finds himself contemplating his mortality in episode 4 of season 3 of The Tudors. With his health declining, he becomes increasingly paranoid about potential assassination attempts and plots by those in his court. He even goes so far as to commission a suit of armor that he believes will protect him from any potential attacks.

Meanwhile, the relationship between Henry and his new queen, Jane Seymour, is still in its early stages. Jane is eager to prove herself as a worthy queen and bears the pressure of producing a male heir, while Henry's passions are as volatile and intense as ever. The two are seen engaging in passionate conversations, but also dealing with the inevitable tensions that arise in any relationship between monarchs.

As the king's health worsens, members of his royal court begin jockeying for power and position. Duke of Norfolk, one of the King's closest advisors, schemes to have his son, Henry Howard, appointed to a position of authority in the royal court. The Duke believes that this will increase his own power and influence over King Henry VIII. However, his wishes may not be fulfilled as the Puritan bishop Hugh Latimer counsels against the appointment.

As the court becomes increasingly divided, an unexpected romance blossoms between two unlikely characters: Princess Mary, Henry's daughter, and Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. While Charles has been a close ally to the king for many years, Mary has been shunned due to her Catholic faith and her loyalty to her mother Catherine of Aragon.

The political intrigue reaches a fever pitch when Bishop Gardiner unveils a plot to overthrow King Henry VIII and restore Catholicism to England. The Bishop believes that the only way to return the country to its former glory is to turn back to the faith of its ancestors. However, he must navigate a dangerous maze of political and religious machinations in order to accomplish his goals.

As the episode draws to a close, it becomes clear that the Tudor dynasty is at a crossroads. King Henry VIII's health remains precarious, while his court is rife with schemers and conspirators. Meanwhile, Queen Jane's pregnancy and the future of the Tudor line hangs in the balance. The episode ends with a dramatic cliffhanger, leaving audiences desperate for more.