– Quick Observations and Fun Facts –
by Lady Trader | Fan Fun With Damian Lewis | March 28, 2025
Well, “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light”, has finally hit our screen here in the US and I couldn’t be happier!
The first season of Wolf Hall is what lead me to this lovely community, and to think it has been 10 years since these rich, complex historical characters have been on our screens. It may have been a decade, but this wonderful series has not lost a step.
As I did during “Billions” I will write about my observations and thoughts on each episode. Instead of coming at it with my knowledge of Wall Street and trading, I will be giving my views from the vantage point of being a Tudor junkie.
I have read over 80 books and counting (I’m currently reading “The Private Lives of the Tudors: Uncovering the Secrets of Britain’s Greatest Dynasty” by Tracy Borman) about the Tudors and Tudor history. I have read historical books, historical fiction, and even alternative storytelling (i.e., what would England look like if Edward VI had lived?). I know my Tudors!
I will also have to confess upfront of being an Anne “stan”. I know Anne Boleyn was far from a perfect person or Queen; but she was intelligent, fashionable, and charismatic during a time in history when women were seen as property and breeding machines. Also, how could I not be a fan of the mother of Elizabeth I? So, you might see a bias or two in my posts.
As always, please read Damianista’s brilliant, detailed recaps every Sunday evening/Monday morning after the episodes have aired. They really are the go-to of recaps.
PBS was kind enough to release all six episodes of “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light”, so I was able to watch the first three episodes several times in preparation for my posts. Unfortunately, this also coincides with a trip to the West Coast, so this post and my next one will be quick observations and some fun facts.
Episode 1 “Wreckage” Fun Facts and Observations
I want to start off by saying this series is television at it’s finest. The acting, writing, costumes and sets are all marvelous. And this season the atmosphere is one of foreboding, and you can definitely feel it through the screen.
When open with Anne being brought to the Tower of London and then executed while we see Henry and Jane marry. This timeline is sped up for storytelling reasons but here are few fun facts: Anne was brought to the Tower on May 2, 1536. She was tried on May 15, then executed on May 19. She was originally scheduled to die on May 18, but the executioner was late arriving from Saint-Omer (it is interesting to note that the executioner was summoned to London even before Anne was tried). Henry married Jane Seymour at the Palace of Whitehall on May 30.
I will also say that Anne did not cry at her execution. She was said to have given a very moving speech as her last words that brought some of the witnesses to tears.
“When negotiations and compromise fail, your only course is to destroy your enemy…”
Cromwell says these words to Rafe when Rafe says getting rid of Anne did not have to be so bloody, and Rafe is right.
Read the rest of the original article at Fan Fun With Damian Lewis