Original: Pray, give me favour, sir. This cunning cardinal
Modern: Please, listen to me, sir. This scheming cardinal

Original: The articles o’ the combination drew
Modern: Drafted the terms of the treaty

Original: As himself pleased; and they were ratified
Modern: Exactly as he wanted; and they were approved

Original: As he cried ‘Thus let be’: to as much end
Modern: Just because he said ‘Make it so’: which was as pointless

Original: As give a crutch to the dead: but our count-cardinal
Modern: As giving a crutch to a dead man: but our count-cardinal

Original: Has done this, and ‘tis well; for worthy Wolsey,
Modern: Has done this, and it’s fine; because worthy Wolsey,

Original: Who cannot err, he did it. Now this follows,—
Modern: Who can do no wrong, he did it. Now here’s what happened next,—

Original: Which, as I take it, is a kind of puppy
Modern: Which, as I understand it, is like a child

Original: To the old dam, treason,—Charles the emperor,
Modern: Born from its mother, treason,—Charles the emperor,

Original: Under pretence to see the queen his aunt—
Modern: Using the excuse of visiting the queen, his aunt—

Original: For ‘twas indeed his colour, but he came
Modern: For that was indeed his cover story, but he really came

Original: To whisper Wolsey,—here makes visitation:
Modern: To have secret talks with Wolsey,—came here for a visit:

Original: His fears were, that the interview betwixt
Modern: He was afraid that the meeting between

Original: England and France might, through their amity,
Modern: England and France might, through their friendship,

Original: Breed him some prejudice; for from this league
Modern: Cause him some harm; because from this alliance

Original: Peep’d harms that menaced him: he privily
Modern: Emerged threats that endangered him: he secretly

Original: Deals with our cardinal; and, as I trow,—
Modern: Negotiates with our cardinal; and, as I believe,—

Original: Which I do well; for I am sure the emperor
Modern: Which I know for certain; because I’m sure the emperor

Original: Paid ere he promised; whereby his suit was granted
Modern: Paid before he even asked; so his request was granted

Original: Ere it was ask’d; but when the way was made,
Modern: Before it was even requested; but once the path was cleared,

Original: And paved with gold, the emperor thus desired,
Modern: And paved with gold, the emperor then asked

Original: That he would please to alter the king’s course,
Modern: That Wolsey would change the king’s plans,

Original: And break the foresaid peace. Let the king know,
Modern: And destroy the peace treaty mentioned before. Let the king know,

Original: As soon he shall by me, that thus the cardinal
Modern: Which he soon will hear from me, that the cardinal

Original: Does buy and sell his honour as he pleases,
Modern: Trades away his integrity whenever it suits him,

Original: And for his own advantage.
Modern: And all for his own personal gain.

In Act I, Scene 1 of “Henry VIII,” the Duke of Norfolk and the Duke of Buckingham meet and discuss the recent lavish summit between King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France at the Field of the Cloth of Gold. Norfolk describes the extraordinary magnificence and ceremony of the event in great detail, while Buckingham, who was unable to attend due to illness, expresses frustration at missing such a spectacle. Their conversation then shifts to concerns about Cardinal Wolsey’s growing power and influence over the king. Both noblemen express their distrust of Wolsey, with Buckingham particularly vocal about his suspicions that the Cardinal is manipulating events for his own ambitious purposes.

The scene continues as Buckingham becomes increasingly agitated about Wolsey’s machinations, specifically mentioning the Cardinal’s role in orchestrating the recent peace treaty with France and his interference in matters of state. Lord Abergavenny joins the conversation and shares Buckingham’s concerns about Wolsey’s corruption and self-serving behavior. However, their discussion is interrupted when Cardinal Wolsey himself enters with his attendants. After a tense exchange of hostile glances, Wolsey departs, and Buckingham vows to formally accuse the Cardinal before the king. Norfolk attempts to counsel caution, but Buckingham remains determined to act against Wolsey. The scene concludes with Buckingham being arrested on charges of high treason by the Sergeant-at-Arms, on Wolsey’s orders, demonstrating the Cardinal’s swift and powerful retaliation.

Henry VIII: Plot Summary

The play opens in the court of King Henry VIII of England, where the powerful Cardinal Wolsey has orchestrated the downfall of the Duke of Buckingham, who is arrested for treason based on the testimony of his own surveyor. Despite pleas for mercy, Buckingham is condemned and executed. Meanwhile, King Henry meets Anne Bullen (Anne Boleyn) at a masque hosted by Cardinal Wolsey and becomes captivated by her. Henry also begins to express doubts about the validity of his marriage to Queen Katherine of Aragon, claiming his conscience troubles him over the legality of the union, as Katherine was previously married to his brother Prince Arthur.

Cardinal Wolsey works to manage the political situation, but his influence begins to unravel when Henry discovers that Wolsey has been secretly corresponding with the Pope to delay the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Katherine, and that Wolsey has been accumulating enormous personal wealth. Henry strips Wolsey of his offices and powers. Wolsey, broken by his fall from grace, dies before he can be brought to formal ruin. Queen Katherine, meanwhile, is put on trial regarding the annulment of her marriage. She passionately defends herself before the court but is ultimately cast aside. She later receives a vision of blessed spirits before dying, having been given the reduced title of Princess Dowager.

With Katherine removed, Henry marries Anne Bullen, and she is crowned Queen in a grand coronation celebrated by the common people. Archbishop Cranmer, a Protestant reformer and ally of the King, comes under threat from a council of nobles who attempt to bring charges against him. Henry, however, intervenes to protect Cranmer. The play concludes with the christening of Henry and Anne’s newborn daughter, the future Queen Elizabeth I, where Cranmer delivers a joyful prophecy foretelling the greatness of Elizabeth’s reign and the prosperity that will follow under her successor, King James I.