The Lion’s Maw: Anne’s Shadow Over More’s Fate
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Cromwell and Audley observe the lions being fed. Audley warns Cromwell about the potential backlash from Parliament if Thomas More is included on the list of the guilty, as they might oppose the bill.
Cromwell reveals the King is determined to publicly insist on More's inclusion, but Audley fears a very public fall for the King because of it. Cromwell understands that Anne is the one pushing for it, not the King.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Genuinely alarmed by the potential consequences of the purge, particularly the King’s vulnerability to public backlash. His concern is rooted in a desire to preserve the regime’s stability, not personal gain.
Thomas Audley watches the lions with a grim expression, his voice laced with anxiety as he warns Cromwell of the dangers of including Thomas More. He argues that More’s moral standing and Parliament’s favor could derail the bill, risking a public humiliation for the King. His body language is tense, his tone urgent, reflecting his deep concern for the political stability of the regime.
- • To persuade Cromwell to exclude Thomas More from the list to avoid a parliamentary backlash.
- • To protect the King from a public fall that could weaken his authority.
- • Thomas More’s moral authority and popularity with Parliament make him a dangerous figure to target.
- • The King’s personal involvement in the bill could backfire if Parliament resists.
Feigned composure masking deep unease—aware of the danger in opposing Anne but equally aware of the risks of her unchecked power.
Thomas Cromwell stands beside Audley, watching the lions feed with a calculating gaze. He listens to Audley’s warnings about the political risks of including Thomas More but ultimately reveals the true driver of the purge: Anne Boleyn’s personal vendetta. His posture is controlled, his tone measured, but his admission about Anne’s influence betrays the precariousness of his position—caught between the King’s will and the Queen’s ambition.
- • To navigate the political minefield of the purge without alienating either the King or Anne Boleyn.
- • To assess the feasibility of including More on the list while minimizing backlash from Parliament.
- • Anne Boleyn’s influence over the King is growing, and resisting her could be professionally (or physically) dangerous.
- • The King’s authority is fragile, and a public fall could destabilize the regime further.
Off-screen but inferred to be resolute and defiant—unwavering in his principles even in the face of certain doom.
Thomas More is not physically present but is the central figure of the debate. Audley argues that his inclusion on the list risks a parliamentary backlash due to his moral standing and popularity. Cromwell’s admission that Anne is driving the purge implies that More’s fate is sealed, but the conversation highlights the political and moral stakes of his condemnation.
- • To uphold his moral and religious convictions, even at the cost of his life.
- • To serve as a symbol of resistance against the King’s and Anne Boleyn’s tyranny.
- • The King’s break with Rome is heretical, and he must be resisted at all costs.
- • His martyrdom will inspire others to stand firm in their faith.
Off-screen but inferred to be triumphant and vengeful—driven by a desire to eliminate rivals and consolidate her power.
Anne Boleyn is not physically present but looms large over the conversation as the unseen force driving the purge. Cromwell reveals her as the true instigator behind More’s inclusion, framing her ambition as the motivating factor. Her influence is felt in the tension between Cromwell and Audley, as well as in the metaphor of the lions—symbolizing her ruthless, predatory nature.
- • To eliminate Thomas More as a threat to her queenship and the legitimacy of her daughter, Elizabeth.
- • To assert her influence over the King and the court, ensuring her position is unassailable.
- • Thomas More’s defiance of the King’s authority is a direct challenge to her own power and must be crushed.
- • The purge is necessary to secure her family’s future and her place in history.
Off-screen but inferred to be volatile—capable of grand gestures (like appearing before Parliament) but also susceptible to humiliation and rage if his authority is challenged.
Henry VIII is not physically present but is a looming presence in the conversation. Cromwell mentions the King’s willingness to appear before Parliament to insist on the bill, while Audley warns of the risks of a public fall. The King’s authority is framed as fragile, dependent on the whims of Anne Boleyn and the political maneuvering of his advisors.
- • To maintain his absolute authority and secure a male heir to his throne.
- • To eliminate perceived threats to his regime, even if it means compromising his moral or political standing.
- • His will must be absolute, and any opposition must be crushed.
- • Anne Boleyn’s influence is necessary to secure his legacy, even if it comes at a moral or political cost.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The List of Condemned Traitors is the silent but pivotal object in this exchange, hanging over Cromwell and Audley like a death warrant. While not explicitly shown, its presence is implied in their debate over who should be included—particularly Thomas More. The list symbolizes the political bloodsport of the court, where names are added or removed based on shifting alliances and personal vendettas. Cromwell’s revelation that Anne Boleyn is driving More’s inclusion frames the list as a tool of her ruthless ambition, not just a legal document.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Tower of London’s animal cages are a deliberately chosen setting for this exchange, blending practicality with symbolic weight. As a site of royal authority and punishment, the Tower reinforces the political stakes of the conversation—this is where traitors are held, tried, and executed. The animal cages, in particular, amplify the metaphor of the court as a predatory arena, where the weak are devoured by the strong. The visceral spectacle of the lions feeding—muzzles red, meat tearing—creates a tension-filled atmosphere that mirrors the brutal realities of Tudor politics. The location’s history as a place of imprisonment and death looms over Cromwell and Audley, reminding them of the consequences of their decisions.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Parliament of England (Commons) is a looming presence in this exchange, representing the potential for public resistance to the purge. Audley warns Cromwell that including Thomas More on the list risks a parliamentary backlash, as More’s moral standing and popularity with the Commons could derail the bill. The Commons’ potential reaction is a key concern, framing them as a counterbalance to the court’s authority. Their influence is felt in the tension between Cromwell and Audley, as they debate how to navigate this political minefield without provoking opposition.
The Tudor Court is the invisible but all-powerful force shaping this exchange. While not physically present, its influence is felt in every word—from Audley’s warnings about parliamentary backlash to Cromwell’s admission that Anne Boleyn, not the King, is driving the purge. The court’s factions, alliances, and ruthless power dynamics are the backdrop against which this conversation unfolds. The decision to include More on the list is not just a legal or moral question but a political maneuver that will ripple through the court, testing loyalties and exposing vulnerabilities.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Anne wants Thomas More added to the list of the guilty, the next scene shows Cromwell and Audley observing the lions in Tower of London."
"Anne wants Thomas More added to the list of the guilty, the next scene shows Cromwell and Audley observing the lions in Tower of London."
"Anne wants Thomas More added to the list of the guilty, the next scene shows Cromwell and Audley observing the lions in Tower of London."
"Anne wants Thomas More added to the list of the guilty, the next scene shows Cromwell and Audley observing the lions in Tower of London."
"Cromwell and Audley talk about Anne insisting on including Thomas More. With Audley worried about the public fall out, Cromwell understands that Anne is the one pushing for it. The next scene has Cromwell approaching Norfolk and asking him to plead with the King for More's life, indicating that Anne is driving the events."
"Cromwell and Audley talk about Anne insisting on including Thomas More. With Audley worried about the public fall out, Cromwell understands that Anne is the one pushing for it. The next scene has Cromwell approaching Norfolk and asking him to plead with the King for More's life, indicating that Anne is driving the events."
Key Dialogue
"**AUDLEY**: *There’s plenty of evidence against Fisher and the Commons don’t like him anyway—he speaks to them as if they were Turks. But More is a different matter. They won’t like his inclusion on the list. They could oppose the bill.*"
"**THOMAS CROMWELL**: *The king swears he’ll come before Parliament himself and insist.*"
"**AUDLEY**: *He could have a very public fall. For God’s sake don’t let him do this.*"
"**THOMAS CROMWELL**: *How do I stop him? This isn’t about the king’s will. This is about what Anne wants.*"
"**AUDLEY** *(gloomily)*: *And who would want to oppose her?*"