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glowingatdawn · 23 days ago

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BECOMING ELIZABETH REWRITE

I’m so sorry this is like 2 years late lol.

After my re-imagining of The Spanish Princess Series 2 (as well as a proposed series revolving around Mary I’s adolescence) here I am, constructing a more historically accurate version of the Starz series Becoming Elizabeth.

I mixed two rebellions (Kett’s and Prayer Book) together and shortened the episode count, because we did not need six episodes of Thomas Seymour!

This is Elizabeth learning from a variety of mentors to actually… become Elizabeth, Gloriana!

Episode One - Replete With Sorrow

In the middle of the night, Lady Elizabeth Tudor and Prince Edward are woken from their sleep and told their father, King Henry VIII is dead. They embrace weeping as the men bow before their now king, Edward VI.

The pair go to court, which is clad in black for mourning. There, they have an emotional reunion with their step mother Katherine Parr and older sister Mary.

The three siblings dine together, reminiscing fondly over their father. Edward asks Mary to attend his coronation; she politely refuses, saying she needs to go and oversee the new lands their father’s will granted her. Talk turns to marriages; there is already rumours that Edward is to marry Mary Queen of Scots as their father’s wishes made clear.

A proud Elizabeth attends Edward’s coronation. At the banquet afterwards, Katherine introduces the newly crowned Edward to Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. They discuss expanding his father’s religious policies. Overhearing, and jealous of the dowager queen’s influence, the Duchess of Somerset Anne Seymour begins to argue with Katherine over precedence and jewels. Elizabeth watches on, a careful observer on how to react. Thomas Seymour interrupts, erasing the tension and making the irate King laugh. Katherine casts him a grateful glance. Elizabeth is charmed/smitten by him.

As the Duchess leaves, Katherine says Elizabeth must pack her things as she is going to live with her away from court if she finds that agreeable. Elizabeth is ecstatic, as is Katherine.

Weeks pass; it is spring.

Elizabeth sits with her cousin Lady Jane Grey, being tutored by her schoolmaster William Grindal. The two constantly try to beat the other in languages, etc. There is a fierce rivalry between the pair.

Elizabeth walks with her governess Kat Ashley and lady Isabella Markham in the gardens, still clad in black. She complains about Lady Jane Grey, who always tries to beat her in lessons. Her father would not have stood for it. It is clear she misses him.

Katherine calls the trio inside, where she is standing with Thomas Seymour. She reveals she secretly married him a few weeks ago, and he is now to live with them.

At dinner, the pair quiz Elizabeth on what she has learned. They’re impressed; Thomas compliments her and Elizabeth flushes, pleased at his attention. Katherine leaves, claiming she feels sick.

Thomas talks of grief, saying he knows it well after the death of his sister, her brother Edward’s mother. He says her father wouldn’t want her to grieve him forever, it has been several months now and she shouldn’t feel guilty to be happy again. He reveals he saw her in the garden earlier looking upset; she tells him what had happened. He assures her she is better than Jane in every way. Elizabeth smiles and bids him good night.

In bed, she sighs dreamily to Isabella and Kat about Thomas Seymour; did they know he had commanded her father’s army? They warn her to be careful but she ignores them.

The next morning, she is woken by Thomas and Katherine tickling her. Winking, Thomas offer his hand. Flushed, Elizabeth smiles and takes it hand eagerly.

Episode Two - Noli me Tangere

Katherine and Elizabeth watch as Thomas storms about. He is annoyed over his brother being made Lord Protector of the King and he has nothing. Elizabeth approaches him and asks if he is okay. He says can’t Elizabeth ask her brother for help for him? Elizabeth is uncomfortable. She doesn’t have that much power. He begs jokingly on his knees, kissing her hand then her cheeks, and she laughs giddily, the tension disappeared as they talk.

Katherine and Grindal tell her and Jane Grey that Edward is releasing a new prayer book in English, not Latin with the help of Archbishop Cranmer. Katherine supports it. As a result, Grindal gives Elizabeth an updated list of work.

Elizabeth is involved in her studies, avidly reading. She rebuffs Thomas’s playful advances, saying she is busy with work her tutor Grindal gave her. Thomas is peeved.

Later, Katherine angrily asks Elizabeth if is true what Thomas told her - that she had been embracing her tutor William Grindal. Confused, Elizabeth bursts into tears and refuses it. Katherine apologises and comforts her, blaming her confusion on her current state - she is pregnant.

The next morning Thomas comes alone to Elizabeth’s bedchamber as Katherine feels ill. Elizabeth fears she is avoiding her because of what happened with Grindal. She wonders who would make something like that up. Thomas says someone jealous of such a beautiful and smart girl, hinting at Jane Grey. Elizabeth is incensed. Thomas diverts her with more tickling, then suddenly slaps her behind. She jumps, startled and laughs uncomfortably. Kat orders him away while Elizabeth is dressed. She hears Katherine and Thomas fighting in a room nearby over him going to Elizabeth’s room without her. Miserable, Elizabeth puts her mourning dress back on.

While walking with Isabella and Kat in the gardens, Thomas appears and says he told her she looked better in colours, not black. He chases her around, with Katherine suddenly appearing and joining in. She holds her down as Thomas slashes Elizabeth’s mourning dress to pieces. The pair of them are laughing but Elizabeth is close to tears.

Later that night an upset Elizabet talks to Kat, who says tomorrow morning she won’t let Thomas near her into her bedchamber. He protests his way in anyway, shaking the hangings as if he is to get in. She pulls her bedcovers up and Kat tells him to go away in shame as he tries to kiss her. He leaves laughing, saying he will get her when he returns from court.

An ill and extremely pregnant Katherine writes to her husband, and asks Elizabeth to arrange a messenger to get the letter to him. On the outside of the letter, in Latin, Elizabeth writes “Thou, touch me not”, then crosses it out and writes instead, “Let him not touch me”.

She devotes herself to her studies, and when Thomas finds her on his return, she is frightened. He doesn’t see her obvious distress, tossing her book over his shoulder, stroking her cheek and begging him to forgive her for the dress incident. She nods, and he pulls her into a tight hug Thomas Parry witnesses.

She is abruptly dismissed by a cold Katherine to Anthony Denny and his wife, Kat’s sister. Elizabeth is upset, and her stepmother softens a little, assuring her this is the best for all three of them.

Episode Three - Hope Prevailing

At the Denny’s, Elizabeth is devastated to hear of Katherine’s death in childbirth.

Her new tutor, a French preacher Jean Varon, instructs her in the new doctrine and the French tongue. They talk about the new prayer book; Elizabeth thinks it is a good thing but Varon says there are rumours the common people will revolt.

Elizabeth returns to her old childhood home of Hatfield House, and has a moment of peace with her ladies and Kat.

They are interrupted by Thomas Seymour visiting. He seems unhinged. Thomas proposes marriage, but Elizabeth is horrified and refuses. Kat thinks he would make a good match considering his status, but she stands firm. She tells her lady Isabella she will never marry, after seeing what happened to her father and mother.

While walking in her estates Elizabeth witnesses angry peasants tearing down fences. Her preacher Varon tells Elizabeth the people have rebelled against enclosure laws, but chiefly the new prayer book.

Elizabeth learns Thomas has tried to kidnap Edward VI and shot and killed the king’s dog during the kidnapping attempt.

As a result, Thomas is arrested for plotting to kill the King, his brother and King’s Protector, the Duke of Somerset, and marry Elizabeth.

Privy Councillors arrive in Hatfield to question Elizabeth, while Kat is taken to the Tower.

Elizabeth is interrogated. She denies any knowledge of Thomas Seymour’s actions, saying her reputation is being defamed and she wants a proclamation put out denying rumours of any relationship with him.

She gets her wish, and writes to Edward Seymour to say thank you for the proclamation as his brother Thomas is executed. She is informed the rebellion has been ruthlessly supressed by John Dudley.

With the threat of an uprising and Thomas Seymour both disappeared, Elizabeth gets an invitation to visit the King for Christmas. She is anxious to please him and declares she will wear white for her innocence from this moment on.

Episode Four - Christmas

1550 bottle episode focusing on the awkward Christmas dinner with the 3 Tudor siblings!

Upon her arrival at court, garbed in angelic white, Edward rewards Elizabeth with Kat being returned to her. She embraces her governess lovingly. Elizabeth is invited by Mary’s lady, Susan Clarencius, to play cards. She accepts.

Mary questions Elizabeth, unsure whether to believe the claims issued of her innocence. Mary has also heard about an updated prayer book being released that Edward himself has had a hand in. Elizabeth reiterates her innocence. After, Mary tells Susan privately that Elizabeth is so like her Mother…

Edward is preparing for the feast. John Dudley informs him that Edward Seymour does not have the nerve to tell him, but he will. He has broken the king’s betrothal to Mary, Queen of Scots, who is now engaged to the French Dauphin. Edward is furious.

The table is set for a magnificent feast. The trio begin amicably enough, reminiscing on their shared childhoods with their father. However, soon the tension overwhelms them, with all their emotions coming out. Mary begs Edward not to release his new prayer book, but he replies he is not a child, he is King. Elizabeth tries desperately to keep the peace between the oldest and youngest Tudor siblings. The night ends with Mary leaving, ignoring Edward. King Edward orders her servants to be arrested, and has a furious monologue to Edward Seymour. His brother had taken advantage of his sister and stepmother, and Edward himself had taken him to Windsor - a prison! John Dudley was the one who had the nerve to tell him he has ended up breaking his betrothal to Mary Queen of Scots, who is now engaged to the Dauphin of France. He will look an idiot as her mother Marie of Guise is visiting his court soon! He has obvious and ominous shades of Henry VIII in his behaviour.

In the aftermath of the evening, Edward Seymour is arrested and beheaded. Edward, backed by the Privy Council, announces John Dudley is to be the Duke of Northumberland and new Protector of the Realm due to the loyalty he had shown him in suppressing the rebels, promoting the new religion and aiding the King.

Elizabeth congratulates her friend and John Dudley’s son, Robert, who has arrived at court to celebrate the advancement. He is full of joy; he has married a lady, Amy Robsart.

King Edward, overhearing, is happy for them. He thinks it is time for Elizabeth to marry.

Episode Five - Sister Temperance

Several months have passed. Elizabeth and Edward are watching bear baiting. Whilst the beasts fight, Edward goes through a list of various potential suitors for his Sweet Sister Temperance. Elizabeth is non-committal.

She is saved from further answer by their sister Mary, interrupting the event. She and the large company of people with her all wear prayer beads as Mary begs for her servants to be released. Both Edward and Mary end up crying, and he eventually promises to release them. She leaves, begging him not to think badly of her.

Marie of Guise is to visit court soon, and in the absence of a queen Edward nominates Elizabeth to host her. Jane Grey comes to court as part of the festivities and her and Elizabeth’s old rivalry flares again.

Robert Dudley finds it amusing, especially when the King falls into fervent conversation with their cousin on Protestantism.

Edward is taking more of a leading role in state, having talks with Archbishop Cranmer about the new and improved prayer book. Some wonder if the Lady Mary and others of the old faith will rebel again; John Dudley says he’s stopped one uprising, he’ll finish another if it happens.

Marie of Guise visits court. Elizabeth talks with her about the young Scottish queen Mary, her daughter, and her marriage, and the challenges of ruling a country.

During the festivities, Elizabeth and Robert Dudley are having fun together. Robert says his wife doesn’t like court, and reveals his father is trying to convince King Edward to marry Jane Grey. He laughs, guessing from her sour attitude Elizabeth would not accept her as a queen.

Episode Six - Troublesome Waves

John Dudley wishes to exchange one of his houses for hers, and Elizabeth is not pleased. She reluctantly agrees when Robert visits, taken by his charm. He says she need not fear, for her brother Guildford is marrying Jane Grey now, not the king, who is ill.

Elizabeth sets off to see her brother, but is turned away by his guards.

She is extremely worried about her brother, turning to prayer.

Elizabeth is asked to relinquish her claim to the crown via a grant of more land and money. She refuses.

She talks with Kat and Isabella. Because of Mary’s obvious religious differences, she has come to believe she will become queen upon Edward’s death.

News breaks of Edward’s death/Jane’s accession/Mary’s rebellion. Elizabeth is upset, grieving, incensed with betrayal that her brother has looked her over. She is urged to act by her ladies. John Dudley and Mary both send messengers; she listens to both and plays them against each other then feigns illness, arming her guards for protection as she waits for the outcome.

Mary proves victorious and Elizabeth makes orders to go to London.

Elizabeth greets Mary, assuring her she was preparing her servants to bring them to help her cause. She watches statues and crosses be put back up with foreboding.

Jane Grey and Guildford Dudley are sentenced to die, while John Dudley is executed. Elizabeth comforts Robert.

At night, she sneaks out in secret to see her old tutor Jean Varon. He wants to leave England, but she orders him to remain, telling him not to leave or abscond, but for he and other followers of Protestantism to show themselves in the streets. They need to fight back against what Mary plans! Varon nods, and tells her now Edward is dead they look to her for guidance and hope for the nation.

Elizabeth attends Mary coronation. The new French ambassador, Antoine Noailles, introduces himself. He says Marie of Guise spoke highly of her, and that the crown would look good on her head… Elizabeth gazes at it thoughtfully, and merely smiles in response.

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