The Boy may be in London as a captive, but the threat of losing his legitimacy still weighs heavily on Henry. Get a sneak peek of this week’s The White Princess.
In last week’s The White Princess, the conflict between Tudor and York that’s been circling this season finally comes to a head.
It’s interesting because I suppose your perspective on this conflict depends on whether or not you believe “The Boy” is actually Richard York. While live tweeting “English Blood on English Soil“, mostly in jest, another tweeter and I asked Executive Producer Emma Frost if she could give us any insight into whether this guy was really Richard. Her response:
@WeSoNerdy I'm still not sure ? only @EmmaFrostLondon knows the truth
— #TeresaLovesBooks (@tcoleman1210) May 22, 2017
@WeSoNerdy Aha you will have to decide…
— Emma Frost (@EmmaFrostLondon) May 22, 2017
So, truly, it’s up to us to make a decision about Richard York. As for me, I feel pretty confident that this guy is a pretender.
In any event, in Burgundy, The Boy gets married to Catherine Gordon and before long, she’s pregnant. And this is exactly the motivation “Richard” needs to make his bid for England.
Meanwhile, Henry is in the process of uncovering and eliminating traitors (who seem to be plentiful) and trying to secure his throne. Lizzie is in a similar frame of mind and is actually the one who proposes a marriage alliance between Arthur and Catherine of Aragon. Spain is wealthy, given their access to resources from new colonies in the Americas. Plus, Spain is the only country that doesn’t send a representative to “The Boy’s” wedding.
The trip to Spain is fascinating because we see that Isabella of Castile is a formidable Stateswoman. She would certainly raise her daughter to be equally cunning and fierce. And we know about Catherine of Aragon’s tenacity and grit in the midst of the entire Henry VIII/divorce situation. With that said, Lizzie doesn’t allow herself to be cowed, even if she knows that Isabella’s demand that Henry eliminate rivals to his throne before Catherine can marry Arthur is a tough one. (Incidentally, why do you think Lizzie keeps that demand a secret from Henry?)
Soon, Henry gets news that “Richard” (who might actually be the pretender, Perkin Warbeck) is pressing into England with 4,000 men. How can Henry stand against this force, especially with more and more people decamping from the Tudors’ side? This is where Lizzie comes in, demonstrating that she is the perfect Queen for England in this time of uncertainty:
“If your fear God, then you will honor your true king, Henry Tudor. And if you will not do it for your king then do it for me. The daughter of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville…”
And in the end, Henry is victorious. The victory is all the better when Lady Margaret is able to rip “Richard” away from the sanctuary he’s claimed at a nearby abbey. “The Boy” will make his way to London, though not as he might have preferred.
A couple more things:
Even in illness, Elizabeth Woodville is the most forceful woman, a fierce White Rose right until the end… and may she rest in peace.
Finally, I have to say that it’s so nice to have gotten a Lizzie/Henry sexy times scene that’s romantic, caring, and full of the love between them. Lizzie is firmly a Tudor, no matter what her mother and the other Yorks might expect from her.
(For more, check out our full recap of “English Blood on English Soil” HERE.)
This week “The Boy” will face his fate in London and Lizzie will have to confront the promise she makes to her mother to help her “brother” and preserve the York cause.
In “Two Kings” (written by Emma Frost, directed by Jamie Payne):
A pretender to the throne is taken into the midst of Court, where his presence confounds his detractors. Elizabeth is caught in an impossible choice, and attempts a dramatic solution to the dangers plaguing her new family. (via STARZ)
The preview trailer from “Two Kings” emphasizes how TENSE things are going to be:
Do you see how much the possibility of losing legitimacy is wearing on Henry? It’s quite sad to watch. But, as always, Lizzie will hold him down!
Take a look at 12 images from “Two Kings” including Lizzie and “Richard” coming face-to-face. Make sure to live tweet with @WeSoNerdy this Sunday, May 28 at 8:00pm ET on STARZ!
