| “ | If we do leave tomorrow, I don't mind you knowing, I'll think of you. | ” |
— Kenna to Henry in Hearts and Minds
| ||
The relationship between Kenna de Poitiers and Henry II.
Overview[]
Kenna was Henry's mistress for a brief while. She ended up giving him her virtue and asked him to stop seeing Diane and make her his official mistress. Henry was hesitant to do so and eventually chose Diane over Kenna. Later on, Kenna made an deal with Henry, that he is to introduce her to a new suitor every week in exchange for her providing him with infinite carnal pleasure. However, their agreement went awry when went mad, causing him to become violent and verbally abusive toward her. His madness reached a new breaking point when he forced her to marry his son, Sebastian. Henry kept coming onto her, even though she was married, and Kenna rejected his advances every time.
History[]
Season One[]
In the Pilot, when Mary, Queen of Scots arrives it is seen that King Henry is looking at Kenna. After watching Elisabeth and Philip II consummate their love after their wedding ceremony, Kenna gets sexually aroused and goes to a hidden place to touch herself. The King appears behind her and starts to touch her. Kenna likes it and they start kissing but they soon stop. In Snakes in the Garden, Henry approaches Kenna and engages her in a flirty banter. He admits that he's been thinking about their last interaction, and wishes that they could have continued. He is not concerned with Kenna's need to keep her virtue intact, and claims that he wants a woman and not a maiden. In Kissed, Weeks later, Kenna is with Henry again and they are making out against a wall. They stop when it becomes evident that Kenna will only go so far with Henry. Later Henry is in a bad mood because Kenna won't do what he wants. Kenna looks at Henry from across the room and smiles at him but he ignores her. That night at the Boating Party Kenna is snubbed again by King Henry as he get on his boat with another woman, and Kenna leaves upset. Bash and Francis both see what their father is doing to the young Scottish girl. In Hearts and Minds, Kenna confesses her feelings to Henry and later lets him take her virtue. In Chosen, Kenna awaits Henry's return for her to be named The Official Mistress. However, she sees Henry stepping out of a carriage with Diane and as he makes his way to the castle, he ignores Kenna. Kenna confronts Henry, who then names her his official mistress and the two have sex. In Left Behind, Kenna is at the mercy of an aggressive Italian man who beats her and tries to rape her twice for being the King's mistress. In Fated, Kenna is in bed with Henry sitting at her side. She is bruised up and has a bloody lip from when one of Count Vincent's men beat her at the feast. Kenna confronts Henry, saying he has not been at her side and she has asked the servants about Diane, who told her that they have spotted Diane in Henry's rooms. At first, Henry claims that Diane is just his friend and counselor, but when Kenna asks for the truth, he admits to still being unable to let Diane ago. Kenna is left upset, because she almost died due to her association with him. He also adds that if she ever asks him to choose between her and Diane, he will choose Diane. In Inquisition, Kenna is coached to give witness of Catherine's adultery. Kenna is going to lie and say she caught them in the act, in exchange for Henry finding her a husband. In The Consummation, Kenna visits King Henry, naked under a robe. She offers him unlimited carnal pleasure in exchange for being introduced to a new suitor every week, and he agrees. They proceed into making love. In Dirty Laundry, Kenna and Henry chat as they stroll in the throne room. Kenna brings up the suitors he's been introducing her to, and points out a problem in every single one. As they pass the Archduke of Bohemia, Henry introduces the two of them. However, the Archduke soon leaves due to his sister's passing. At the end of the episode, Kenna walks into Henry's room, annoyed with everything. The death of the Archduchess ruined her plans to get married. Henry assures her that there will be other suitors. He reminds her that they could spend more time together. They begin making out and Henry finds himself beside a window. Kenna seductively tells him not to let go as they continue to make out, but she keeps a firm grip around his shoulder. In The Darkness, Kenna is requested to come to the King's room. When she arrives, Henry asks if he has done something to offend her, as she did not show up the night before. She explains that he did, she hurt her shoulder last time from her hands being bound. He apologizes and says he's going to try something new anyway. Kenna 's not really sure if she wants to, but Henry reminds her of their agreement and promises to introduce her to many suitors at the First Light Banquette. Before she can agree Henry brings out a brunette young woman from behind his changing board. He explains how he's paid a lot of money for Anna and wishes for them to entertain him. The prostitute hands a goblet of wine, and Kenna decides to drink up, before engaging in the king's sexual escapades. In Monsters, Kenna is forced to marry Sebastian at King Henry's command. She begs him not to do it, but eventually goes through with it. |
Quotes[]
King Henry: As king, I've learned to be very clear about when to state my terms.
Lady Kenna: I want to be with you completely, as a woman. But as a girl, I need more time.
Lady Kenna: If we do leave tomorrow, I don't mind you knowing, I'll think of you.
Lady Kenna: Catherine tried to poison me once. You can tell them that part in court.
King Henry: No one cares, Kenna!
Lady Kenna: But that part's true!
Trivia[]
- Kenna lost her virginity to Henry in Hearts and Minds.
- Kenna revealed she fell in love in with Henry, but whether Henry had the same depth of feeling for her is left unknown.
- In Left Behind, Kenna was almost raped twice, and then beaten by the same man who thought her a whore for being the King's mistress.
