Synopsis
The Shadow of the Tower is a historical drama that was broadcast on BBC2 in 1972. It was a prequel to the earlier serials The Six Wives of Henry VIII and Elizabeth R. Consisting of thirteen episodes, it focused on the reign of Henry VII of England and the creation of the Tudor dynasty.
Episodes
Season 11E1Crown In JeopardyHenry Tudor emerges victorious over Richard III at the battle of Bosworth Field and seeks to form a coalition from which he hopes to establish a Tudor dynasty.50m2E2Power in the LandHenry consolidates his power when Elizabeth gives birth to Prince Arthur legitimizing Henry's claim of descent from the legendary monarch.50m3E3The Schooling Of ApesHenrys enemies represent commoner Lambert Simmel as the Earl of Warwick, the York pretender. The Earl of Lincoln leaves for Ireland to head the army that is forming against Henry,50m4E4The Crowning Of ApesHenry forms an army to defend himself against the Irish-German army coming against him from Ireland.50m5E5The Serpent And The ComforterKing Henry is intrigued by a preacher who is arrested for heresy and speaks with him to persuade him to give up his dissension against the practices of the Catholic Church. The preacher emphasizes to him the simplicity of the Gospel, and his suffering and convictions impress a young Tower guard.50m6E6The White HartThe year is 1494 and King Henry is alarmed that the powerful and arrogant Sir William Stanley may be implicated in a plot against his crown .50m7E7A Fly In The OintmentAddle-brained Sir John Kendall and his dim-witted nephew devise a ludicrous plan to kill the King with a harmless ointment from phony astrologer.50m8E8The Princely GiftVisionary Italian navigator John Cabot has a difficult time convincing Bristol businessmen and the King that his Western voyage to China is practical and profitable.50m9E9Do The Sheep Sin?Heavy-handed tax policies lead the peasants of Cornwall to march peacefully in protest on London, but an ambitions nobleman wants to use the pilgrimage to his own advantage.50m10E10The Man Who Never WasCommoner Perkin Warbeck, pretender to Henry's throne, finds he's losing support throughout Europe.50m11E11The Strange Shapes Of RealityAlthough Perkin Warbeck enjoys only house arrest for his treason through Henry's mercy, he continues to plot against the King.50m12E12The FledglingIn order to give his dynasty more credibility, Henry tries to arrange a marriage between his son and the Spanish princess, but their are preconditions.50m13E13The King Without A FaceThe year is now 1501 and Henry is now finally secure on the throne with his promising son Arthur about to marry Catherine of Aragon, however in the shadows tragic events are lying in wait for the King.50m
Cast
