When Henry VIII decided to divorce his wife Catherine of Aragon, there followed a long and bitter battle. Henry's proposal for divorce was based on the fact that Catherine had previously been married to his brother Arthur, which, he claimed, rendered his marriage to her invalid. This scene represents Catherine's plea to Henry not to proceed with the divorce, whilst the Papal Legates, sent by the Pope to oversee the proceedings, look on.

I take God and all the world to witness that I have been to you a true, humble and obedient wife.
- Catherine.