The Wild Hunt

Henry is on the hunt again for a new bride, and this time his quarry may prove itself too elusive for our mourning monarch! Henry fancies a French bride, but the most desirable choice is already being married off to his cousin, the King of Scotland. Henry seeks a Queen with beauty enough to lure him into pursuit, suitably noble connections and a biddable nature to sooth his soul after the loss of his perfect Jane.  

Sir Brandon hopes for a Queen who favors Catholicism, and of course Cromwell is desperate to find the King a suitable bride with strong ties to the Protestant reformation. The Duchess of Milan catches the King's fancy but she dashes all hopes by refusing quite succinctly the suspected murderer of her Aunt the former Queen, Katherine of Aragon. Henry then develops the grand idea of rounding up the most eligible French maids in one place that he might meet and consider the merits of each in turn.  

Apparently this beauty pageant approach is too similar to purchasing prize cattle at fair to sit well with the great houses anywhere in Europe! Of course, considering the speed with which he has gone through three strong and vital Queens, is it any wonder the noble families begin to cleverly divert the King's interest from their ripe and ready daughters or sisters? Truth be told, this warrior prince appears upon the horizons of Love more like the Wild Huntsman than an earnest Eros!  

While the hunt for the new Queen continues, Henry is most frustrated by the flurry of political agendas he must wade through in his pursuit. To his mind, not a single subject has their King's best interest at heart as each seeks to put forward a candidate that best suits their own requirements.  

Cromwell is falling fast from royal favor, and the suspicion is growing in the King's mind that Cromwell is a less amiable Wolsey. Henry appoints Sir Brandon President of the Privy Council, the King's legal voice when he is unable to attend Council himself. This may seem but cold comfort to Brandon after the loss of his hoped for child, but thwarting the odious Cromwell always lifts his spirits.  

The precious Prince Edward continues to thrive, although rumors abound both within Court and well beyond. Lord Seymour, young Edward's Uncle, keeps his young ward under a most jealous guard. The outlaw Reginald Pole continues to elude the King's justice, but the ruthless monarch will not be thwarted. Targeting the last of the Plantagenet line, Pole's beloved family, as traitors who conspire to take the throne, Henry delights in making his treacherous cousin eat his own heart.  

This seems to be the King's only clear satisfaction as he is brought low once more by his ulcerous leg. Brandon orders more guards for the priceless progeny, Princess Mary and Prince Edward, while he and the King's surgeons wait anxiously for any improvement. England waits with bated breath for the King's recovery.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Thoughts ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  

I found it fascinating to see the incidental and influential people in Henry's life promote or deflect attention from various marital prospects. History has already filled in that blank, but these maneuverings really brought the issue to life. How would one discourage the King from pursuing a beloved sister or daughter to wife without incurring royal wrath? A very pretty problem!  

Brandon appears to be readying himself to ally with Lord Seymour in a combined effort to rid the kingdom of Cromwell once and for all. How successful two such diverse individuals may be once allied remains yet to be seen. Lord Bryan resumes his affair with Lady Seymour, and both seem quite impishly delighted to pick up where they left off... trading favors and secrets in some dark corner of the King's castle. Interesting storms could easily brew on that front as well.  

The demise of Lady Salisbury, Cardinal Pole's mother, is particularly tragic but it is her grandson's poignant passing that tugs most at viewer's heartstrings. Huntsman Henry takes great satisfaction from knowing that Pole will be eaten alive by guilt, remorse, and terror; the hounds he has sent after this elusive enemy.  

The secrecy and shuffling interests on Henry's marriage front nicely spices the show with anticipation. Add to this Henry's obviously bad health and the tension increases. With only three more episodes left in the season, the pressure is beginning to feel like Vesuvius just moments before History erupts! Is the King chasing an imaginary beast? Will Henry claim his place as Master of this Wild Hunt and chase down his vixen, or will the Hunter become the quarry?