The Devil's Spit

Anne gives birth to a baby girl, and Henry does little to hide his disappointment. Anne is aware that her power in court rests on producing a male heir and becomes increasingly paranoid. The Holy Maid of Kent, Elizabeth Barton, has been prophesising that if Henry marries Anne Boleyn he will die within the year, and Cromwell's spies know that she is touting new candidates for the throne. He interviews the Holy Maid but counsels the king to show mercy to her supporters. However, until Henry has a male heir, the Tudor line remains vulnerable. Cromwell decrees that everyone in public life must take an oath to recognise Henry's supremacy as head of the church. Thomas More will not take the oath and is found guilty of treason and sentenced to death. Recovering from serious illness, Cromwell plans the king's royal progress to include a trip to Wolf Hall, the home of Sir John Seymour and his daughter Jane.