Henry: Portraits From Tudor Times

<br>I. Fanfare<br>Heralds sound the fanfare at the opening of the court of King Henry<br>viii: a stately procession reveals lavish pageantry and splendour.<br>II. Lutes Chorus<br>A great feast in the Long Hall is followed by dancing and games at<br>which the Master of the Revels presides; members of the "King`s<br>Musick" accompany, and Richmond Palace glows long into the night,<br>lighting the royal barges upon the river.<br>III. Misty Battlements<br>Dawn breaks on Gloucester Castle. A Knight looks out over his misty<br>battlements. There is talk of war with France; suddenly the almost<br>uneasy days of peace have ended and the air is filled with excitement.<br>Once again he will ride with his King, for the honour of England, and<br>strive to do valiant deeds. Once again he will trust his fate to the<br>Almighty and leave behind him a proud and gracious lady, anxious both<br>for his speedy return and glory in the field. And yet he is sad. As<br>the scarves of mist unfurl on the bare courtyard below he raises his<br>hands to his eyes, and scans the horizon, beyond the necks of the<br>trees, far away over the plains, over that broad stretch of blue to<br>France and all that awaits...<br>IV. Henry Goes To War: France<br>Preparation for War: The Fleet assembles. Across the fields and<br>meadows of Brittany. The greasing of catapults and the sharpening of<br>arrows: -- the Siege of Tournai. Nightfall upon the English camp: Sir<br>Guy dreams of Gloucester.<br>The Battle of the Spurs: Dawn carnage. The crash of mace upon armour<br>and steel upon scabbard. The English are victorious but many lie,<br>seeing only a wide open sky...<br>V. Death Of A Knight On The Field Of France<br>The lady rises from her spinning-wheel and approaches the window.<br>Gazing forth from her Tower she views the pleasant verdant landscape.<br>Beneath her, the courtyard and paddocks are deserted; beyond the<br>gentle-sloping water and hillocks are dimming in the crepuscular<br>light. All is still save the occasional cries of curlews fleeing the<br>approaching night. She waits. No heavy voices or tramp of hooves echo<br>from below. Somewhere, far beyond her sight, men, deep in song and<br>crowned in triumph, are swarming back along dusky tracks to their<br>shires. A door creaks, but all remains silent, unmoving. No-one comes.<br>With a sigh she draws the heavy folds across the awning, shutting out<br>the night.<br>VI. Triumphant Return From War<br>Heralds` Fanfare greets the returning, victorious army; the streets<br>are lined with folk shouting "Cry God For Hal," eager for a glimpse of<br>their bold and heroic prince.<br>Finally, all join in Prayer and Thanksgiving in the Chapel Royal.