When the prince discovers a bruise on Tom's hand, he rushes out of the palace, paying no heed to the way he is dressed, to rebuke the guard. The guard, believing that the prince is the pauper, immediately puts him out of the gates, and thus the stage is set for Edward Tudor to experience the life of a commoner and for Tom Canty to live the life of a real-life prince.
Imperiously and angrily proclaiming that he is the Prince of Wales, Edward is mocked by the crowd around the royal gate, beaten, and has several dogs set upon him; all the while asserting that he is the son of the king. Chased back into London, Edward wanders around, not knowing where to go until he is finally collared by John Canty, Tom's father, and dragged off to Offal Court.
In the meantime, young Tom Canty has been left in the prince's royal apartment in the palace. At first, he enjoys the luxury of his surroundings, but he becomes increasingly apprehensive about what will happen to him if he is discovered in the prince's clothing. The Lady Jane Grey talks with him and becomes very confused about Tom's behavior; word quickly spreads that the prince is mad. Every time that Tom tries to say something to dispel this idea, it makes those around him only more convinced that the prince has indeed gone mad.
After talking with his "son," Henry VIII gives orders: first, he commands that the Duke of Norfolk be killed so that the prince can be immediately named heir apparent with no opposition. Second, he orders that all persons in the court say nothing about the prince's madness and that they ignore any indications of it. Finally, he orders his "son" to say no more about living in Offal Court and to try to regain his mental health. To this end, the Lord St. John and the Lord Hertford are to be his companions, to watch over him, and to remind him of what he is to do.
