Lizzie and Henry attempt to solidify their alliance with Spain. Meanwhile, Richard York makes his play for England. Get a sneak peek of this week’s The White Princess.
Last week’s The White Princess propels us seven years into the future, and as the kiss at the end of Episode 4 (“The Pretender“) insinuates, Lizzie and Henry have found their feet as unit. I think we’ve all been hoping and wishing for these two to find love and happiness together. And, as Henry says in Episode 2 (“Hearts and Minds“), with Lizzie’s acumen for politics and knowledge of the England, they could be fantastic rulers. Several times, we see Henry take Lizzie’s counsel seriously and appreciate her contributions. At the same time, Lizzie is solidly on Team Tudor, for the sake of her husband and children.
It’s this shift in loyalty, one that Elizabeth Woodville predicts, that motives one of last week’s major conflicts. Someone claiming to be Richard York is in Burgundy, and with help of the Duchess, has been making his case across Europe for the English throne. Of course this thrills Elizabeth to no end. Yet, this also causes strife with Lizzie. The original goal might have been to have a White Rose on the throne, but what would this mean for Lizzie and her children? Well, this comes to a head when young Prince Harry (Yes, he who becomes Henry VIII!) is named Duke of York. Elizabeth interrupts the ceremony to declare her son Richard the true Duke of York and King of England. So scandalous… maybe Elizabeth’s illness makes her more bold? I knew Lizzie would be angry, but when she disowns Elizabeth as her mother, you know it’s serious! Yep, Lizzie’s a Tudor.
It’s also interesting to take a step back and ask ourselves whether we think “The Boy” in Burgundy is actually Richard York. After Maggie and Richard Pole’s trip to Burgundy, I’m pretty convinced the guy is an imposter. I’d really want to see Lizzie meet Richard… would she recognize him?
Incidentally, I just have to say I’m so glad Maggie is happy in her marriage and child. Yet, it’s such a shame that Teddy is still in prison and history tells us that is where he remains until the end of his young life. Maggie isn’t so far off when she calls the Plantagenet name a curse.
Finally, I just need to say that Jasper Tudor deserved better. He’s always sacrificed for Henry and Lady Margaret, delaying starting his own family, marrying Cate Woodville to bring funds to Henry’s cause, loving Margaret from afar. And in the end, he’s heartbroken because the woman he’s loved has no compunctions about murdering children. Then Margaret takes a pillow to his face to murder him, all for power. Lady Margaret is a real piece of work…
(For more, check out our full recap of “Traitors” HERE.)
In this week’s episode “English Blood on English Soil” (written by Emma Frost and Alice Nutter, directed by Alex Kalymnios):
Henry and Elizabeth travel to Spain in an attempt to secure their son’s betrothal, but news of their country’s instability has preceded them. Further afield, unrest has been growing in Burgundy and spills over into an English battle and a hollow victory. (via STARZ)
Well, perhaps The Boy will make his way to England sooner than we thought.
Watch these two clips from the upcoming show. In the first, the Duchess of Burgundy is speaking with Richard and encouraging him to wage war to reclaim the English throne. And in the second video, Lizzie proposes that they solidify an alliance with Spain via Arthur’s betrothal to Catherine of Aragon.
I love how much of a unit Henry and Lizzie are now. It’s clear that he appreciates her… loves her?
And did anyone else see a trace of doubt in the Duchess of Burgundy? I don’t know that she actually thinks that boy is Richard.
Take a look at 14 images from “English Blood on English Soil’, including the trip to Spain and Henry’s battle against Richard. Make sure to live tweet with @WeSoNerdy this Sunday, May 21 at 8:00pm ET on STARZ!
