- Henry allows Bishop Gardner a free rein in rooting out heretics and sets his eyes on the soon-to-be-widowed Catherine Parr.
- Although Surrey is imprisoned for an assault on a distantly related nobleman for a perceived insult, Henry believes his fierce temperament would be more useful in the border war against the warring Scots than in prison. Now free, Surrey is victorious and brings back Scottish nobles to Henry as hostages in order to leverage a peace treaty to England's advantage. Henry is ecstatic when he learns of King James' death and the birth of the monarch's daughter, the future Mary, Queen of Scots. Bishop Gardner sees this as a sign from God and Henry presses the captured nobles to support an engagement between the infant Mary and young Prince Edward. He also permits Gardner to use torture to expose heretics in the court. Alarmed by Ambassador Chapuys at King Francis' new alliance with the Turks, Henry signs an alliance with the Spanish Holy Roman Emporer in the upcoming war with France in which England expects to regain its French provinces. Catherine Parr, married to the rich but dying Lord Latimer, is in love with Thomas Seymour and plans to marry him after her husband passes away, but the rich widow catches the King's eye as he pushes the reluctant Catherine toward marriage while exiling rival Seymour to a diplomatic post in Holland.—duke1029@aol.com
- Now the empire and France are at war, Henry first makes French ambassador pledge years-due payments Charles de Marillac, later decides to abandon the Eurpean balance strategy by siding plainly against the Ottomans' ally with the emperor. Henry now allows bishop Gardener to persecute the Lutheran heretics, extracting accusations by torturing even court musicians, one of which could expose Seymour. The border war started by Scotland goes well thanks to Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, who is made commander in chief rather then prosecute his private crimes. King James of Scotland's death ends it and enables negotiating with the noble hostages an advantage peace, almost a protectorate, to be consecrated by betrothing princess heiress Mary with Henry's heir Edward. Despite prince Edward's apparently restored health, Henry has parliament reinstate Mary and Elisabeth as spare heirs. On his deathbed, very rich Northern Lord Latimer curses long-devoted wife Catherine Parr, who had to suspend her secret love affair with Thomas Seymour after he presented her at court to be fully pardoned from suspicions concerning Aske's rebellion, only to be commandeered by extravagant gifts as royal companion destined to become his mistress or next wife.—KGF Vissers
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