Sir Robert Packington, a Parliamentarian and friend of Cromwell (James Frain), is shot dead in a London street. Cromwell suspects the assassination as a warning to him but refuses to speculate who might he behind it. He is more concerned with finding a new bride for his King who has shut himself away in sadness and grief following the death of his much-loved third wife Jane Seymour, mother to his only male heir. The infant, Edward, is being looked after by his half-sister Lady Mary (Sarah Bolger) and several of Jane's ladies-in-waiting.