Thomas Cromwell's patron, Cardinal Wolsey, is dismissed as Lord Chancellor and forced to flee his palace at York Place; the old noble families of England, jealous of their own right to advise the king, have long waited for this moment.

With the cardinal dead, it falls to Cromwell to orchestrate a marriage between the king and Anne Boleyn. The king rewards Cromwell for his loyalty, but he is being closely watched by his enemies.

Anne gives birth to a baby girl, Elizabeth, and Henry does little to hide his disappointment; Anne is aware that her power at court rests on producing a male heir and, in her paranoia, cracks appear in her relationship with Cromwell.

With Anne pregnant again and away from court, Henry begins to take notice of Jane Seymour. Anne hears of this and threatens Cromwell to make terms with her before her son is born. But has she overplayed her cards?

Henry’s love for Anne Boleyn has given way to anger and distrust. Henry instructs Cromwell to rid him of his second queen. Sensing her loss of favor, the queen’s enemies gather.