With no male heir, the infamous Henry VIII wants to annul his 20-year marriage to allow himself to marry Anne Boleyn. When Cardinal Wolsey fails to convince the Catholic Church to follow his king's ideas, he falls out of favor. In steps Thomas Cromwell--a blacksmith's son who has seen his share of hardship. When he is able to give the king his heart's desire, he finds himself in a powerful position. But his new role is a dangerous one with the volatile king.