The Tudors (TV Series)

Tears of Blood (2008)

James Frain: Thomas Cromwell

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Quotes 

• Thomas Cromwell : Your Grace. May we speak? I am here to inform Your Grace, as Archbishop of Canterbury, that the King intends to put a bill before the new session of Parliament.

  Bishop Wanham : What does it concern, Mr. Cromwell?

  Thomas Cromwell : In the first place, it means to deny the Pope much of the revenue he now receives from the English Church. It also means to lay indictments against the privileges of leading clergy in this country.

  Bishop Wanham : Mr. Cromwell, what could be the cause of this further attack upon our Holy Church?

  Thomas Cromwell : People can see for themselves that the monasteries are already sitting on a great wealth, which could be better applied elsewhere for the good of the whole commonwealth. For the good of ordinary, hard-working people.

  Bishop Wanham : This does not strike me as an attack against abuses. But rather, an open attack upon our faith and the faith of our ancestors.

  Thomas Cromwell : If that is your judgement, Your Grace, it is not mine. Neither is it the King's.

• William Peto : [gives a cermon in church]  We give thanks for the reign of the King's Grace, and we ask God's blessing on him and on his people. But on this holy day, we are obliged to say that some of your Highness's preachers are these days too much like those of Ahab's days, in whose mouths was found a false and lying spirit. Theirs is the gospel of untruth, not afraid to tell of licence and liberty for monarchs, which no Christian king should dare even to contemplate! I beseech Your Highness to take heed, not to pursue the path you seem to be taking, or you will surely follow Ahab, who married the whore Jezebel, and surely will incur his unhappy end, that dogs will lick your blood as they licked Ahab's, which God avert and forbid!

  [shouting and clamouring. Guards arrive to remove the friar] 

  William Peto : Unhand me, you dogs! I am a man of God! Unhand me!

  Thomas Cromwell : [outside, in the hall]  You shameless friar! You'll be sewn in a sack and thrown into the Thames if you don't speedily hold your tongue.

  William Peto : Keep your threats for your fellow courtiers. As for us friars, we take no account of them at all, since we know very well that the way to heaven is as good by water as by land.

• Thomas Cromwell : How do you find the King, Mr. Cranmer?

  Thomas Cranmer : I swear to you, Mr. Cromwell, that he really is the kindest of princes.

  Thomas Cromwell : I think you were born at a happy hour, for it seems, do or say what you will, His Majesty will always take it at your hand.

  Thomas Cranmer : I am not so conceited as to suppose I am anything more to His Majesty than a diligent servant.

  Thomas Cromwell : Your modesty does you honour. But His Majesty clearly thinks that you are destined for better things. Which is why he has appointed you his special envoy to the court of the Emperor.

  Thomas Cranmer : He can't possibly do that! What... what I mean is... why me? I... I am nothing, Mr. Cromwell.

  Thomas Cromwell : His Majesty trusts you absolutely. He knows that you understand his Great Matter better than anyone else, and that you take his part. You're in a better place than most to represent him at the Imperial court. I'm sure that you'll be a great success. And on your way there, you'll have a chance to visit the city of Nurnberg. The first city wholly run by Lutherans and reformers. A city free of ancient superstitions and idolatry. Free of Popery and the abuses of the clergy. I shall look forward to your report.

• Thomas Cromwell : Your Grace. I have His Majesty's order to banish you from court. You have displeased him, it seems.

  Charles Brandon : Who are you, Mr. Cromwell? I feel like I should know, but somehow I don't.

  Thomas Cromwell : I am exactly as Your Grace finds me. I serve His Majesty to the best of my ability.

  Charles Brandon : Someone told me that you were once a mercenary soldier.

  Thomas Cromwell : I saw some action in my youth. As did Your Grace, I believe.

  Charles Brandon : But I was never a soldier of fortune. If I displeased the King, it was in a good cause.

  Thomas Cromwell : I'm sure. Although some would argue otherwise.

  Charles Brandon : I would never have the temerity to argue with Your Grace.

  Thomas Cromwell : Not to my face anyway.

  Thomas Cromwell : Here is the order. You are to leave court at once.