The White Princess episode 6 recap: ‘English Blood on English Soil’

King Henry VII heads off another challenge to his reign as war comes to England in “The White Princess” episode 6, ‘English Blood on English Soil.’

As in “The Pretender,” the latest episode of The White Princess sees Henry embroiled in a battle, as his enemies gain strength and his allies dissipate. Only this time, the influence of his wife Lizzie, the titular White Princess, is stronger than ever following the death of his Uncle Jasper Tudor at the hands of his mother, who is held up in the chapel riddled with guilt over all the blood on her hands.

Before facing off against the alleged Prince Richard, the king has business to attend to at home as he seeks to punish those who betrayed him, including his stepfather’s brother, Sir William Stanley. The English soldier is defiant in the face of death, continuing to vow his allegiance to the York heir, who continues to gain support with the help of his aunt, Margaret of Burgundy.

The entire royal family is there to witness Stanley’s beheading — with the exception of the king’s mother, Margaret Beaufort —  including his brother, Sir Thomas Stanley and the young princes, Arthur and Harry. Henry chastises Arthur, who is to succeed him on the throne after he looks away when William is put to death.

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“You will never wear the crown if you cannot watch a traitor die,” he says.

Henry’s doubts and paranoia are justifiably at their highest levels, causing Lizzie to make a revelation about her supposed brother. She admits that she and her mother helped Richard escape years ago, but assures him that he’s now almost assuredly dead after every boy in her house was killed in a quest to find the young prince. She once again assures her husband the “The Boy” is yet another impostor like the one who claimed to be her cousin Teddy.

Despite his true identity, the fake Prince Richard is being married off to King James’ cousin in a bid to form an alliance between Burgundy and Scotland. In fact, much of Europe is represented at the wedding with one notable exception: Spain. Lizzie previously expressed her desire to betroth her eldest son to Catherine of Aragon, and now an alliance between the two countries is more important than ever, sparking a trip by Henry and Lizzie to Spain to forge a relationship in person with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.

Before they head off, word comes from Burgundy about “Prince Richard’s” true identity. It turns out the boy is Perkin Warbeck, the son of a boatman from Tournai. Lizzie is relieved but realizes that her mother is still convinced that the young man is her son. The Dowager Queen is still living in Bermondsey Abbey, confined to her bed due to illness.

Credit: Starz

She gets a visit from her niece, Maggie, who has traveled back to London with her husband Richard Pole to visit her brother, Teddy, still banished in the Tower of London. Elizabeth requests that she inform Lizzie of her desire to see her. The relationship between the mother and daughter has been strained ever since Elizabeth conspired with her sister-in-law to overthrow Henry.

Maggie herself has her doubts about Perkin being an impostor after she visited him in Burgundy, but she remains loyal to her cousin. Thanks to her visit with Elizabeth, Lizzie learns that all of Europe is with Perkin except for Spain, which sparks the idea to reach out to the wealthy monarch.

Henry and Lizzie leave Arthur in the hands of Maggie and Richard Pole, while Harry goes with his grandmother on a religious pilgrimage in the hopes that he one day become pope. Margaret Beaufort has spent much of her time in the chapel begging God for forgiveness for her actions. At Cardinal Morton’s advice, she decides to go on a religious pilgrimage to the abbeys as a means to renew her faith.

In Burgundy, Perkin prepares to head off to England with his now-pregnant wife, but Duchess Cecily admits she has doubts that the boy is actually her grandson. Margaret, however, is undeterred, vowing vengeance, however, she can.

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Lizzie and Henry finally arrive in Spain, where they’re greeted by an elaborate dance led by young Catherine before they’re officially introduced to Ferdinand and Isabella.

Given that the show and Philippa Gregory’s book of the same name are written from a female perspective, it’s unsurprising that this episode is most explicit in detailing the queens’ leadership roles. In the meeting between the two monarchs, only Isabella and Lizzie speak, as the latter apparently took Spanish lessons with her sons, while the former refuses to speak English to the king.

Isabella gives Lizzie a dressing down, referring to her as a “little girl,” and imploring that they get rid of the two threats to their throne before any alliance can be formed, including Teddy. She also implores her not to tell her husband the real reason behind their rejection, demanding that she simply tell him that any marriage between their offspring would first have to be signed off on by the pope.

“England is alone,” she emphasizes.

Back in London, word has arrived that Perkin approaches with King James’ army, prompting Prince Arthur to be put in the tower with Teddy for his own safety. It turns out that not only is Scotland invading, but Cornwall is also rising up against the crown due to a new tax employed to help defend the kingdom. This puts Margaret Beaufort and her grandson in danger, so they find sanctuary in a nearby abbey.

Henry prepares to defend his kingdom, but he’s relieved to learn that Perkin has already retreated. Lizzie and Henry celebrate with what is the couple’s first explicit sex scene. But the joy is short-lived as they soon learn that Perkin withdrew so that he could be with his wife and their new son. This, in turn, angers Margaret of Burgundy but causes concern for the Tudors knowing that this gives him an heir, giving his claim more legitimacy.

Providing more troubles for Lizzie is the death of her mother. Before she passes away, she tearfully forgives her for her transgressions, even as Elizabeth requests that she “be there for your brother.” But the queen remains strong in the face of adversity, joining her husband before he heads to the battlefield.

Credit: Starz

The White Princess puts Lizzie at the forefront of Henry and his troop’s victory in the invasion, crediting her with securing that fleeing troops return to fight for their king by using her York heritage and her mother’s recent death to her advantage.

However, Perkin is able to flee during the ensuing battle, putting a damper on the king’s mood despite his win. They learn, however, that the boy has sought sanctuary at Beaulieu Abbey where Margaret Beaufort once sought refuge. She sees this as an opportunity to resume her religious pilgrimage as a way to retrieve Perkin herself.

Once she arrives, she reminds the monks that she gifted them a library as a gesture of gratitude. Despite some hesitation, they comply with her request and fetch the boy as his wife looks on from inside with their son in her arms as Margaret forces Perkin to shed his “impudent” garments.

The final seconds show Sir Thomas Stanley informing the king and queen that the boy is now in custody. Next week, Perkin is brought to justice in London where he continues to cause problems for Henry and Lizzie.

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The White Princess continues Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Starz.