The White Queen
A portrayal of one of the most dramatic and turbulent times in English history. A story of love and lust, seduction and deception, betrayal and murder, it is uniquely told through the perspective of three different, yet equally relentless women - Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort and Anne Neville. In their quest for power, they will scheme, manipulate and seduce their way onto the English throne. The year is 1464, before the Tudor dynasty ruled the country, and war has been ravaging throughout England over who is the rightful King. It is a bitter dispute between two sides of the same family, The House of York and The House of Lancaster. The House of York's young and handsome Edward IV is crowned King of England with the help of the master manipulator, Lord Warwick "The Kingmaker." But when Edward falls in love with a beautiful Lancastrian commoner, Elizabeth Woodville, Warwick's plan to control the throne comes crashing down. A violent, high-stakes struggle ensues between Elizabeth, her most fierce adversary, Lancastrian Margaret Beaufort, and Anne Neville, the pawn in her father's power game - each woman vying for the crown.
- Metascore70
- 2013-2013
- 1 season
- Anchor Bay Entertainment
- Drama, Documentary, Action & Adventure
- TV-MA
A portrayal of one of the most dramatic and turbulent times in English history. A story of love and lust, seduction and deception, betrayal and murder, it is uniquely told through the perspective of three different, yet equally relentless women - Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort and Anne Neville. In their quest for power, they will scheme, manipulate and seduce their way onto the English throne. The year is 1464, before the Tudor dynasty ruled the country, and war has been ravaging throughout England over who is the rightful King. It is a bitter dispute between two sides of the same family, The House of York and The House of Lancaster. The House of York's young and handsome Edward IV is crowned King of England with the help of the master manipulator, Lord Warwick "The Kingmaker." But when Edward falls in love with a beautiful Lancastrian commoner, Elizabeth Woodville, Warwick's plan to control the throne comes crashing down. A violent, high-stakes struggle ensues between Elizabeth, her most fierce adversary, Lancastrian Margaret Beaufort, and Anne Neville, the pawn in her father's power game - each woman vying for the crown.
Season 1 Episode Guide
10 Episodes 2013
Episode 1
In Love with the King
Sat, Aug 10, 2013 59 mins
In 1464 Elizabeth Grey, née Woodville, widowed when her husband Thomas was killed at the battle of St Alban's fighting for the Lancastrian king Henry VI approaches the young Yorkist king Edward IV. She requests him to enforce restitution from her husband's family for herself and her two little boys. Against the wishes of his powerful cousin Warwick, Edward falls for Elizabeth, a suit encouraged by her mother, sorceress Jacquetta - though not her father, Baron Rivers who lacks Jacquetta's pragmatism when Edward requires him and his sons to fight on the Yorkist side. When Elizabeth refuses to be Edward's mistress they secretly marry. Her brother Anthony finds out and is appalled, believing the wedding was a sham and the king intends to marry a French princess. However Edward publicly announces that Elizabeth is his wife. The Lancastrian Margaret Beaufort is unhappy with the news, as is Edward's mother Cecily but Jacquetta cleverly outwits her and Elizabeth is hailed as the queen of England.
Episode 2
The Price of Power
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 59 mins
The pregnant Elizabeth is crowned queen and welcomed by Edward's brothers Richard and George though Warwick and his daughters do not disguise their disapproval and Cecily refuses to attend the coronation. Warwick is especially aggrieved that the king is neglecting a peace treaty with France and entertaining the Duke of Burgundy.
Episode 3
The Storm
Sun, Aug 25, 2013 61 mins
Margaret Beaufort is pleased to learn that Warwick, whose daughter Isabel is George's reluctant bride, is holding a parliament in York to have George declared the rightful monarch. However the parliament opposes Warwick's idea and Edward, Elizabeth and Jacquetta are all released.
Episode 4
The Bad Queen
Sat, Sep 7, 2013 59 mins
Now exiled in France with his family Warwick plans to make his other daughter Anne a prospective queen of England by marrying her to Edward, teenage son of Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou in return for Margaret backing another war against Edward IV. Margaret however refuses immediate military help and both Isabel and George are unimpressed by the deal, George sending his brother a message to say he will have no part in any rising. Nonetheless Warwick goes ahead, routing Edward and forcing Elizabeth and her children to seek sanctuary in Westminster Abbey. Jacquetta is put on trial for witchcraft - in the light of Isabel's miscarriage - but acquits herself by threatening Warwick with her great friendship with Margaret of Anjou. Henry Tudor is taken into Yorkist custody, incensing his mother, but escapes whilst Elizabeth gives birth to a son by Edward.
Episode 5
War at First Hand
Sat, Sep 14, 2013 58 mins
George returns to fight with his brothers, to the chagrin of Warwick, who moves the decrepit Henry VI into the tower of London for his protection whilst Jasper Tudor escorts his nephew Henry to Wales for safety. The possessed Lady Beaufort is angry that her husband Stafford chooses to fight for Edward, seeing him as the lesser of two evils.
Episode 6
Love and Death
Sat, Sep 21, 2013 61 mins
Having witnessed the murder of Henry VI the pregnant Elizabeth is again shocked when she discovers her husband having sex with courtier Jane Shore. Her isolation is increased as Jacquetta falls dangerously ill and, aware of George's dislike of her, she appoints Anthony as her sons' guardian.
Episode 7
Poison and Malmsey Wine
62 mins
Edward plans a war with the French but, sensing that too much blood has already been shed, makes peace with king Louis, angering George, who will now not assume the title Regent of France. He becomes convinced that Elizabeth, like her late mother, is a sorceress who caused Isabel to miscarry and who has bewitched her husband.
Episode 8
The King Is Dead
60 mins
Elizabeth is concerned when Edward allows Henry Tudor home from exile but he reasons that he prefers to keep his enemies close to him. Edward suddenly dies of pneumonia, appointing Richard as the regent for his young son Edward. Anne encourages her husband to crown himself king as the country's enemies may take advantage of a boy king.
Episode 9
The Princes in the Tower
58 mins
Aware of his antagonists Richard rewards those whom he believes can serve him, including Stanley, the duke of Buckingham and Thomas Brackenbury. Anne visits Brackenbury behind her husband's back, expressing her fear that his throne will not be safe as long as the princes in the tower are alive.
Episode 10
The Final Battle
60 mins
Queen Anne's health is deteriorating and the death of her sickly son Edward and the knowledge that her husband loves Lizzie do not help her situation. She ends her feud with Elizabeth ,assuring her that she was not responsible for the deaths of the two boys and soon afterwards, following an eclipse, she dies.
