– Quick Observations and Fun Facts –
by Lady Trader | Fan Fun With Damian Lewis | April 4, 2025
Welcome back to Court and to episode 2 of “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light”.
This was another gripping episode with the apt title “Obedience”. If you do not obey Henry in every way, shape and form, then your life is in danger. The true definition of a tyrant!
If you know the history of Cromwell and this time in Tudor history, you can see so much foreshadowing in this episode. When the ghost of Cardinal Wolsey tells Cromwell when things go wrong “you will feel the lash” he is certainly on the money.
This week’s post will be similar to last week’s – quick observations and fun facts
Episode 1 “Obedience” Fun Facts and Observations
You might be surprised to see Henry dressed up in his Turkish costume and dancing for all the court to see, but this is classic Henry. He was known as a fantastic dancer even when he was as young as 10 years old. There is a story about how vigorously he danced at the feast when Catherine of Aragon was brought to England to marry his brother Arthur. He danced so much he cast off his gown and danced just in his jacket – quite the gossip for a 10 year old prince!
Henry also loved to play pretend and dress up with his friends and perform for Queen Catherine. He always enjoyed how the ladies would (pretend) not to know who these rogues were, bursting into the Queen’s chambers and causing a ruckus. However, just like at this performance, everyone would have at once known it was the King behind the mask. Henry was very tall for the time (a reported 6 ft 2 in) so that was a dead giveaway. But everyone would go along with the game because it was what the King wanted. Boy oh boy does this come back to bite Henry in 1540.
I found the scene with Lady Mary Douglas and Cromwell very interesting. Mary states that there was someone outside the door when she married Thomas Howard the lesser, but Cromwell doesn’t think someone on the other side of a door is a good witness. He certainly has changed his tune since he was gathering (fabricating) evidence against Anne. Then, ladies gossip and innuendo were good enough to send six people to the block!
Fun Fact: The Lady Margaret Douglas is Henry’s niece. Her mother, Margaret Douglas is his sister, who was once the Queen of Scotland. After the death of her husband James IV of Scotland was killed in battle, she married Archibald Douglas, who is Margaret Douglas’ father. That is why she is Lady Mary, instead of Princess Mary. Mary would eventually marry and have a son, Henry Stewart who would marry Mary Queen of Scots. (I know, there are too many Marys about!)
Another fun fact – Lady Richmond who was with her during this interview would most likely be Lady Mary Howard (known as Lady Richmond) who was married to Henry’s illegitimate son Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond. Fitzroy died in the summer of 1536, right around the time the events we are watching are taking place.
Cromwell should have really listened to Call Me when the idea of destroying Norfolk was brought up. Cromwell will certainly regret this later.
Read the rest of the original article at Fan Fun With Damian Lewis