When England's King Henry VIII wants to wage war with France, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey proposes a treaty that will ensure their place in history as the Duke of Buckingham plots to assert his own claim to the throne.

In the wake of signing a treaty with France, Henry learns of Buckingham's plot to assassinate him as Lady Blount finally bears him the son he has always wanted.

Henry moves to cement his new alliance with Spain's Emperor Charles V as Anne Boleyn begins her seduction of the English king.

As a reward for his denunciation of Martin Luther, the Pope christens Henry "Defender of the Faith," but a brush with death causes the king to seek a solution to his lack of an heir. Princess Margaret marries the decrepit King of Portugal reluctantly, but the union is short-lived; Henry's desire for Anne Boleyn intensifies when Anne goes home to her family estate.

Resolved to marry Anne Boleyn, Henry presses Wolsey for a divorce; a betrayal of their treaty by Charles V sends Henry seeking a rapprochement with the French.

As Wolsey struggles to have the Church grant him a divorce, King Henry's infatuation with Anne Boleyn continues to grow.