Plot

At a court gathering at Greenwich, in 1532, Sir Thomas Wyatt reads some verses to Queen Catherine. Henry VIII, hearing that the Queen has found a new lady-in-waiting, visits the assembly to inspect the new beauty. Finding that Anne is in love with Wyatt, the King asks his jester to spy upon the couple and report to him. In the gardens that night, Henry succeeds in talking for a few moments with Anne and learns definitely of her love for Wyatt. He orders her to repair to the castle at Windsor, where he organizes a hunt in her honor. Incidentally, he presents her with a beautiful pearl necklace. Wyatt, seeing the pretty bauble, reproaches her with encouraging the King. Missing Anne from the hunt. Herne, one of his henchmen, plays upon his jealousy by showing the King the two lovers seated under a tree. That same evening when Anne and Wyatt return to the castle, the King banishes Wyatt from his court and threatens Anne with the same treatment. The young lady's answer is to let her head fall upon the King's shoulder. All the castle soon hear of the King's new favorite. Queen Catherine shows her hatred of Anne in many little ways and the King soon divorces her. Anne's hour of triumph has come, although darkened by the apparition of the demon Herne, who reveals her doom, the scaffold. Nevertheless, Anne is secretly married to Henry VIII and becomes Queen of England. Two years of bliss follow for Anne. Then to court comes Jane Seymour. The new beauty soon attracts the attention of Henry VIII and Suffolk, the King's evil genius, observing that she has fascinated his master, contrives a secret meeting between them. Anne detects the rendezvous and expresses her horror to her lord. This, however, merely serves to infuriate the fickle King and he asks Suffolk to help rid him of his Queen. This is brought about by Suffolk, who, knowing the love Wyatt had borne Anne, brings him to a room in the castle occupied by Anne. In this way Anne is arrested and taken to the tower prison. Several days later, although protesting her innocence, Anne is tried by twenty-six peers, all instruments of the King. She is sentenced to die and on May 19, the sound of a gun notifies him that a second Queen has gone.—Moving Picture World synopsis