Episode 2 Question

[chaiandsushi]

Hey guys;
I just had a quick question about the Ann Boleyn character/situation in show.

I realize her father's a diplomat between England and France but I'm confused as to  why he's pushing Ann to win Henry's affection? I'm guessing so France and England remain on good terms?

Any clarification would be great, and I apologize for the n00b esque

Comments

[ttishbite]

Women were used and manipulated by their families to get into good standing with the court. Fathers could gain money, power and respect by sending their daughters to bed a king.

My question is, why was Mary so quickly pushed aside? They could have played out that affair and gave Anne a motive to go after Henry (jealousy).

[nomorefrostbite]

They've already abandoned history enough, but I daresay the simple fact of Henry being King and her father telling her to would be enough motive to seduce him without fictionalizing some sort of jealous rivalry between the sisters.

[ttishbite]

Hmm...that motive isn't strong enough for me, not to say it wasn't for Anne. I personally didn't like the rivalry aspect of a certain popular novel.. the girls were darn catty. I was actually surprised that the series didn't go there.

I guess my point is, the writers could have drawn out Mary and Anne's life at court, and portrayed them as the pawns they were... instead of building up this romance thing. =)

Then again, it's only the second episode.. who knows what point of history they are jumping to next.

[nomorefrostbite]

Yeah, they definitely could have dragged it for dramatic effect and to add another subplot to the storyline... historically Mary's time at court and time in Henry's bed was very brief though, but as you say a proper portrayal of their status as political pawns would be good.

[ttishbite]

I thought Mary and Henry produced child... it couldn't have been that short, could it?

Do you think Henry knowingly abused his status as King to bed women? Wouldn't he have known these women's real motives (or rather, the motive of their fathers)?

[nomorefrostbite]

I do think Henry abused his status as King to bed women... he did what powerful men the world over did by using power for ill-gotten gains. Human nature, as it were.

it couldn't have been that short, could it
Well it was never proven to be his child, illegitimate or not.
But how long does it take to produce a child? 5 minutes? 10? Thirty maybe?

[chaiandsushi]

But how long does it take to produce a child? 5 minutes? 10? Thirty maybe?
hehe.

Henry & Mary (Boelyn) producing a child though..Henry just had a son, would they put another child in the script?

[chaiandsushi]

it seems like they have started to though distinguish their role as pawns though? right after mary was dismissed, the diplomat immediately called upon anne to inform her of her new agenda..winning henry's affection.
so exciting ♥

[charliemc]

Agreed. There's no good reason to create behaviors that didn't exist between these two sisters.