Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
The marriage hearing descends into testimony about Catherine's first wedding night. Henry needs the court to accept that her marriage to Arthur invalidated their later union, while Catherine has already refused to submit to the proceedings. Anne becomes increasingly frustrated with waiting and with the time she believes she has lost. Henry tries pressure as well as argument, warning Campeggio about religious unrest and expecting a decision in his favour. The promised verdict never comes. Campeggio dissolves the hearing and refers the question back to Rome, leaving Henry publicly denied the result on which he has staked so much authority and hope.
Wolsey's opponents use the failure to remove him from power. Norfolk and Brandon arrive at his offices with charges, and the cardinal is forced to leave through a court that no longer shields him. Under house arrest, he writes to Cromwell for help, but Cromwell destroys the appeal rather than risk his own position. Henry spares Wolsey imprisonment after his guilty plea and lets him retain York and a pension. The king then turns to More as his new chancellor. More initially refuses, fearing the obligations of the office, until Henry promises he will not have to handle the divorce. More accepts after being told to put God first. Wolsey's fall is complete even though Henry's marriage remains unresolved.