Act I
Windsor. The entire court knows that Henry VIII has grown cold towards Queen Anne Boleyn since she lost their unborn son. Jane Seymour, Anne’s closest lady-in-waiting, is now the object of the king’s affections. Their relationship began during the queen’s second pregnancy, with Anne’s consent. Henry, however, has now decided to make Jane his official mistress, a prospect that can only bring Anne pain. Jane is deeply troubled: her loyalty to the queen is genuine.
The court musician Smeton (Mark Smeaton) dreams of Anne. He sings her a serenade about unattainable love. The song unsettles the queen, recalling her former relationship with Lord Percy. She tries to conceal her embarrassment.
Jane is alone. Henry enters. It is clear to her that he no longer loves his wife, but she cannot bring herself to become his third wife at the cost of her queen’s blood.
Windsor Castle Park. Lord Percy has returned to London. He has come at the king’s command but also in the hope of seeing Anne, who was once his first love. In conversation with Rochefort, Anne’s brother, Percy makes no attempt to conceal his feelings.
The king and queen enter with the court as they prepare to go hunting. Henry has laid a trap for his wife: before the assembled court he announces that it was Anne who secured Percy’s release from royal disfavour. Anne is visibly disconcerted. Despite Rochefort’s efforts to smooth over the awkward moment, Henry notices her reaction and orders that Percy and the queen be watched.
The queen’s boudoir. Smeton is alone. He suffers because he must conceal his feelings for the queen. Anne enters with Rochefort, who persuades his sister to receive Percy.
The former lovers are left alone. When Anne rejects him, Percy resolves to die and draws his sword…
Smeton suddenly appears. Believing the queen to be under attack, he draws his own sword. Rochefort tries to stop the confrontation.
At that moment the king, Jane and the court enter the queen’s room. Finding several men in his wife’s apartments, Henry accuses them of conspiracy and treason. As Smeton attempts to defend himself before His Majesty, he accidentally drops a locket bearing the queen’s portrait.
Smeton, Percy and Rochefort are taken away by the guards. Anne is to stand trial.
Act II
A room in the queen’s apartments. Anne’s ladies-in-waiting are confined under close guard. They fear for the queen’s health.
Hervey enters and announces that, by order of the king, all the ladies are to be questioned by the court. Only Jane remains with Anne.
She begs the queen to save her life by admitting her guilt. Anne refuses.
Jane confesses that she herself is the woman who has supplanted Anne in the king’s affections. The queen forgives her and warns her to be wary of Henry.
Before the Council of Peers. Believing that he can save Anne from death, Smeton confesses his guilt.
Henry enters. Anne and Percy are brought in.
The king declares that his wife is guilty of infidelity with Smeton and that Percy and Rochefort are her accomplices. Percy, however, is undaunted. He claims that he was Anne’s first husband and demands the restoration of his rights.
Enraged, Henry decides not only to press for Anne’s conviction but also to strip their daughter Elizabeth of her status as a princess and declare her illegitimate.
Act III
The king’s private chamber. Jane begs Henry to show Anne mercy but to no avail.
The courtiers and the Council of Peers enter. They have unanimously annulled the marriage and sentenced Anne to death. Jane continues to plead for clemency. Henry promises to consider her request but insists that justice must take its course.
The courtyard of the Tower. Hervey tells Percy and Rochefort that they have been pardoned, while Anne is to die. The two men choose instead to share the queen’s fate.
A cell in the Tower. Anne has lost her reason. Her thoughts return to her youth, her first love and her marriage to the king. She does not recognise Percy, Rochefort and Smeton when they come to bid her farewell.
Outside, the people acclaim the king and his new queen. Cursing the “guilty pair”, Anne goes to the scaffold, never knowing that her daughter is destined to become Elizabeth I, Queen of England.
