Synopsis

Henry VIII has fallen in love with Jane Seymour, but to be able to marry her he has to rid himself of the bond which binds him to his second wife, Anne Boleyn. She agrees to meet Percy in her chambers. Percy has admired her for years and, even though he is in love with her, he has been called by the king to return from exile. Smeton, the page who is also secretly in love with Anne, happens to hear this conversation by chance. Anne rejects Percy’s advances and he despairs in view of her rejection and wants to put an end to his life. Thinking that the queen is in danger, Smeton comes out of his hiding place to defend her and in that precise moment the king enters his wife’s chambers. It is the opportunity that Henry had been seeking and he orders to have them all arrested after accusing them of treason.

In the second act, Jane tries to convince Anne to admit her guilt, since only that way will she be able to save her life. She later confesses that she herself is the king’s mistress and begs Anne to forgive her. The queen, moved, grants her forgiveness. Before the court, Smeton confesses that he is Anne’s lover, since he wrongfully believes that he will be able to save her by doing so. Percy also confesses his love for the queen to Henry, but the queen’s fate is sealed: she is sentenced to death together with Smeton, Percy and her brother, Lord Rochefort. In the Tower of London, Percy and Rochefort scornfully reject the king’s pardon and Anne prepares to die praying God to forgive Henry and Jane. The sounds of joy and celebration can be heard in the distance: the king has just married Jane Seymour.