Pontefract Castle—the principal royal residence in the north of England—is under siege from rebels calling themselves “Pilgrims.” The noblemen held hostage in the castle, including the Archbishop of York and Lord Thomas Darcy, meet with the leader of the rebellion, Robert Aske, who explains that their grievances are against Thomas Cromwell‘s methods and not the king‘s rule.

Queen Jane arranges for King Henry’s eldest daughter, Mary, to visit her father at court. Meanwhile, Henry lies confined to bed after a physician removes a splinter of bone from his ulcerating leg. Fortunately, he is being cared for by the lovely Lady Ursula Misseldon—who is willing to go to special lengths to ensure the comfort the king.