The Last King (2003) s01e01 Episode Script

2
Remember.
On my sign.
No!
Father!
Stop! I command you!
Father! Father!
Forgive me, Father.
Forgive me.
A letter from Sir Marmaduke Langdale,
Your Majesty.
I must have a new coat.
This one's fit only to be burned.
We must not waste
what little money we have on vanity.
The king cannot present himself
in public dressed as a beggar!
Your Majesty has no more credit with the tailor.
He will not work until his debts are paid.
That is the king's
private correspondence!
Langdale says he is rallying your
supporters in the north of England.
All it requires to trigger a rebellion
is your royal presence.
Well, Sir Edward, what
are we waiting for?
Langdale has neither the men
nor the resources to defeat Cromwell.
If I go to England, my head will
be on the block within a week.
Exactly so!
Send him encouragement.
Tell him that we will return to England
when the moment is right.
- Only God knows when that might be.
- We must be patient.
- Do you ever counsel anything else?
- The time will come, George.
Thank God we're out
of that dismal place!
Some days I feel it will suffocate me.
Hyde would love to
smother you with paper.
- He has my best interests at heart.
- He tells you so often enough!
This outing will do you more good than
all of Hyde's lectures on statecraft.
- I must do something first.
- We're late.
My son's more important
than your whores, George.
His Latin and Greek require improvement,
but he has a sound enough brain.
You must listen to your teachers.
Work at your studies diligently.
You must make me proud.
I gave this to your
mother before she died.
It's yours now, Jamie.
She's yours as long as you want her.
A gift to the king from
his humble servant!
The king wonders why his servant's
suddenly so much wealthier than him!
He's saved us from disaster more
than once, and he's utterly loyal.
So are dogs. You need a man who can
deal with Cromwell on his own terms.
Someone more accommodating.
Cromwell is king of England in all but name.
He needs an heir.
Who is to say it might not be you?
If you agree to a more limited role
for the monarchy
You mean grovel to my
father's murderers?
We have been in exile for years.
You are further from the throne than ever!
If you want to be king in more than
name, the time has come to compromise!
Even you know the difference
between compromise and dishonour.
I'm going home, Charles.
I'll come with you.
I mean I'm going home to England.
Fairfax has offered me
his daughter's hand in marriage.
He'll intercede with
Cromwell on my behalf.
- Your family bequest!
- It's an advance on my dowry.
A noble title still means something,
even to the republicans.
I am so sick of living on dreams.
I want to go home.
So do I,
but not as a slave.
We grew up together, George.
We've shared everything,
even the murder of our fathers.
For their sake
please don't abandon me now.
I'm begging you, George. Don't do this.
- I'll always
- I'm still king!
King of what?
Most dutiful children would be pleased
to accompany their mother to church.
You can't be bothered.
My brother the king forbids me to attend
the Catholic Mass, as Your Majesty knows.
I know your martyred father sits
with the angels at God's right hand,
weeping at your stubbornness
and ingratitude.
His last words to me were that I should
never abandon the Church of England.
I'm sure he said no such thing, or if
he did, it was because he was upset.
I know what he meant
and he meant you to become a Catholic.
I have forbidden this subject.
England is a Protestant country.
When I reclaim my throne, it will
be because I am a Protestant king.
Any suggestion that I or my brothers are
Catholic would wreck my chances at a stroke.
Did you know that last night at dinner
I was obliged to eat all five courses
from the same plate?
- I never heard of anything so disgusting!
- There's no money for new plates.
If there was,
we couldn't pay anyone to wash them.
If you weren't so stubborn,
we could have all the money we want.
Louis of France will help.
- You only have to make a gesture.
- Become a Catholic?
He'd put an army at your disposal tomorrow.
We'd be in London within a month.
A Catholic king at the head of a French
army would make the English rise up
Of course, my advice is of no use.
I'm just a foolish old woman.
Your father the king
seemed to value my opinion,
but you know better, I am sure!
You know how I value
your counsel, Mother.
Leave me now. I want to pray to my
sainted husband, God rest his soul.
And do not expect me to eat my supper
from dirty plates again.
Lord and Lady James Brigstocke.
Sir Andrew Macintosh.
Sir Roger and Lady Palmer.
Lady Palmer.
We're honoured.
The honour's mine, Your Majesty.
Sir Roger has been most
generous to our cause.
We must show our gratitude.
Dine with us tonight.
It would be a privilege.
I think we met before madam?
Lady Palmer is cousin
to the Duke of Buckingham.
Of course. Barbara Villiers.
- What news of George?
- Cromwell had him thrown into the Tower.
- He's accused of plotting on your behalf.
- If he was, I knew nothing of it.
Until tonight, then, Sir Roger.
Charles Lord Chesterfield's mistress,
and not her only lover by all accounts.
- She is little better than a whore.
- You know how I detest gossip, James,
particularly where a lady's reputation
is concerned.
It's been months now, Mrs Palmer.
Do not imagine that I
will wait for ever.
You're not this modest
with Lord Chesterfield!
- He is extremely generous.
- So it's money you want?
- Doesn't everyone?
- And as I have none, you will not lie with me?
I have lain with much
poorer men than you.
No, it's not as simple as that.
You see, I find something pathetic in the
notion of a king with neither riches nor power.
It makes me pity you.
And in that mood I have no desire left
to make love!
I was told you could be cruel.
- Now you're sulking!
- Do you care nothing for me at all?
Hm?
My darling
I love you more than any man on earth.
That's why I want everything to be
perfect when we do lie together.
Now, I really must go.
My husband will be back soon,
not that he'd notice if I entertained an
entire troop of Dutch cavalry in his bed!
Charles
I promise when the time comes
it will be worth the wait.
Point! Fine shot, Henry!
Serve, James! Serve.
Could we just have a
moment, please, Charles?
- Game!
- It missed!
- A clear hit. Ormonde decides.
- A hit, Your Majesty.
- Hah! An honest judge!
- Sycophant! The ball was inches wide!
Your Majesty!
It is the Lord's work. A miracle!
Oliver Cromwell is dead!
- When?
- Three days ago.
The tyrant is no more!
Praise be to God.
My dearest boy.
Your moment is at hand.
General Monck!
It grieves me to find you
in such a place, my lord.
You should see Antwerp!
This is what happens when the people
lose respect for their leaders.
If Cromwell had lived another ten years,
the republic would have been secure.
If he'd been strangled in the cradle, England
would have been saved years of repression.
Cromwell's son cannot cling to power
much longer.
When he goes, this disorder will grow
a hundred times worse
unless someone can be found to unite
all parties in loyalty and obedience.
I've come to the view that there is only one man
alive with the status to perform such a task.
You mean either yourself or the king.
If I wanted the throne, I'd have
left you here to rot undisturbed.
I want you to write to
the king in my name.
Tell him he must rule with Parliament
or not at all,
and what was done to his
father must be forgiven.
If he accepts these terms
he will have my allegiance.
- Why should the king trust you?
I will not lead him into a trap.
If a crown is the price of stable
government
I am prepared to pay it.
Richard Cromwell has lost control.
There is widespread unrest and the London
mob is demanding the return of their king.
- Not long ago they wanted his death.
- This is no time to dwell on the past.
Buckingham writes that General Monck is ready
to demand a freely elected parliament.
With our encouragement, he will declare
himself publicly for your restoration.
- I trust Monck little and Buckingham even less.
- Monck is a subject of the old school.
Whatever harm he's done our cause in the
past, I believe we can trust him now.
Flatter him.
Ask his advice, even
where we don't need it.
Promise him amnesty,
and make it clear that when I am king,
I will make him rich
beyond anything he can dream of.
The very course of action
I was about to suggest, Your Majesty.
Charles Stuart declares
that there will be no revenge taken
on those who have opposed him.
Our lives and our property will be safe.
The army will receive its back pay in
full
and a bill will be placed before this House
promising freedom of worship to dissenters.
The theatres will be reopened and music
and dancing no longer forbidden.
The time has come to heal
our country's divisions.
I call on this House to invite Charles
Stuart to return to England as our king.
The age of miracles has not yet passed.
The republic never had a truer friend
than Shaftesbury,
yet he's calling for the king's return.
We're all monarchists now, my lord.
The king has retired for the night.
Get out.
You are mine now.
Do you understand?
You will be mine till
I tell you it's over.
And that will not be
for a long time yet.
God save King Charles!
Welcome home, Your Majesty!
Charles!
Father!
Oh. Continue.
Will you leave me alone now?
I should be on my knees to you.
Whatever I've done, I've
done in service of God.
God, Parliament, King.
That is the natural order of things.
The king has assumed his rightful place
at the head of government.
The blasphemous republican
experiment is over, I'm glad to say.
Over, but not forgotten.
There are many who fear Your Majesty's return.
Some of them are my friends.
Those who signed my father's death
warrant must answer for their treason.
- You promised an amnesty.
- Not for his murderers.
Justice demands all
trials be fair and open.
- A privilege my father was denied!
- Even so.
The accused will have every protection
the law can provide,
and when they are found guilty,
they will feel its full severity.
I have prepared a few names
for Your Majesty's council.
All good loyal men.
Nothing but Parliament men and rebels.
Concede this
and we're in Monck's power for good.
Be a king.
We will study your list with care.
Now we have other matters to attend to.
- This must be concluded now.
- Many matters require the king's attention.
Tell Parliament I will hear
its oath of allegiance here.
It is only right the
crown should be restored
in the place it was hacked
from my father's body.
Monck might yet rally
his troops against you.
The country wants peace.
Without popular support, he can do nothing.
- As long as he lives, he's a danger.
- What shall I do, have him poisoned?
No! I owe the man my throne!
A king cannot afford to
be in anyone's debt.
You need ministers
who owe their promotion only to you.
People you've known all your life.
No doubt you have someone in mind?
Well
as you ask
Look at the way you're
treating my poor cousin.
- You won't even see him.
- I'll not have Buckingham back.
Then you're a fool.
You would do well
to keep out of the affairs of state.
George is worth ten
of that tedious old relic Hyde.
It's time to let bygones be bygones.
Besides, you know you love him.
My father's mausoleum.
It looks beautiful
but expensive.
- Parliament has voted me the money.
- Remarkable what guilt makes people do.
They think if they bribe me, I'll forget
the last 20 years. I have a good memory.
Money's the weapon
Parliament will use against you.
Obey them and they'll keep you in luxury.
Defy them and they will cut off every penny.
There are other ways of raising money.
I'm king.
I'll be ruled by no one.
- How's your wife?
- Ugly.
- The Tower was damned uncomfortable.
- I'm sorry to hear that.
I thought you might never see me again.
You broke my heart, George.
Don't let me down again.
You know you have your cousin to thank
for your return to favour?
Well, I will do whatever I can
to show her my gratitude.
You can be sure of him now
I'll make sure he behaves himself towards you.
What makes you confident
you have such power over him?
Do you doubt it?
You must make Charles
depend on you again.
Between us, we're all the help he needs.
Tell me
Do you love him?
Of course.
And um does he satisfy you?
The king is a magnificent lover.
As good as me?
He's much better than you, darling.
You used to say that I was
the best you ever had.
Well, I was only 13 then.
I didn't have much to compare you with!
Cromwell above all of them must not escape justice!
He must suffer like the others!
There's no purpose in
executing Oliver Cromwell.
- He's dead.
- I know that. Dig him up!
Your father's murderers
must endure the torments of hell.
Let everyone see there is
no escape for traitors!
Adrian Scroope, guilty of the king's murder.
Condemned to a traitor's death.
John Carew. Guilty.
Gregory Clement. Guilty.
Thomas Scot.
Guilty of the king's murder.
Condemned to a traitor's death.
John Barkstead. Guilty.
John Jones. Guilty.
Hugh Peters. Guilty.
Francis Hacker. Guilty.
Daniel Axtell. Guilty.
John Cook. Guilty.
General Lambert. Guilty.
Sir Harry Vane. Guilty.
John Okey. Guilty.
Thomas Harrison. Guilty.
The war is over, Mother!
You swore that
all your father's murderers would die!
- There's been enough killing!
- The people demand vengeance!
They are weary of death and so am I.
- I forbid you to pardon them!
- I have made my decision!
Weak! You've always been weak!
What do you think of
your brother, Jamie?
He's very red and wrinkled.
- All new babies look like this.
- Even the king's?
Damn it, Charles, but you
will acknowledge him!
- He is your child!
- I've never denied it!
- Why will you not say so publicly?
- There are your husband's feelings to consider.
Palmer has no more
feelings than a jellyfish!
Anyway, he's left me.
Who are you?
This is my son James, Duke of Monmouth.
Monmouth now, is it?
Well, if Lucy Walter's bastard is good
enough to be a duke, then so is my son!
- This must be handled with discretion!
- Discretion be damned!
Tell the world he is yours
or I'll smash his brains out
on the floor in front of you!
- For God's sake!
- Will you acknowledge him?
- Yes! Now put the child down.
- Swear it!
- I am the king!
- Swear it, damn you, on your knees!
The child will be acknowledged and given a
title befitting his status. Will that do?
You may get up now.
Don't upset me again.
Childbirth can be very tiring.
How old are you now, Monmouth?
14, madam.
The succession must be secured through Your
Majesty's marriage as soon as possible.
One candidate stands out.
The Portuguese princess, Catharine of Braganza.
- She is a Catholic!
- It's not an obstacle.
- She is devout but also modest and retiring.
- Is she pretty?
She brings a dowry of £360,000
and the colony of Tangier.
She could look like Cromwell's arse.
It would still be a good match!
We should have a Protestant queen.
England will never accept the
Pope's rule by the back door.
I am a Protestant
and a true son of the Church of England.
Neither my future wife nor anyone else
will affect that.
My allegiances do not change as easily
as those of some of my ministers.
I trust my loyalty to Your
Majesty is not in doubt?
A Catholic marriage would awaken all the
old fears of tyranny and persecution.
- Popular prejudice will not tolerate it.
- Then popular prejudice be damned!
I've seen too much hatred
born of religious division.
Provided they're loyal, Catholics should
be treated equally under the law.
- Parliament will never accept that.
- It's your job to see that it does.
They brought me a bat to marry!
You must be very tired.
Is there anything you would like?
Her Majesty desires tea.
Tea?
Do we have tea?
The drink is not popular in England.
For myself, I've always found beer
very refreshing after a journey.
Would the Princess care
for a mug of beer?
Perhaps
we should consummate the marriage
another night.
I shall leave you in peace.
You probably want to be left alone.
You need your sleep. You're tired.
Tired.
We'll wait until you're
feeling stronger.
How often will you sleep with her?
Hm?
How often will you sleep with her?
As often as necessary.
I shall take a lover to entertain me
while you're doing your duty.
I wouldn't expect anything else.
You don't love me at all.
My good name's been squandered
for a man who treats me with contempt.
You're Countess of Castlemaine now.
I've made you rich.
What more proof of my
affection do you need?
Your position will not
suffer by my marriage.
I have no position.
Other than on my back.
Whatever I can do for you, I will.
Very well.
Make me first lady of
the queen's bedchamber.
Out!
Get out!
You've had what you came for. Just go.
You're my mistress and
everyone knows it.
It would humiliate the queen
to make you her principal attendant!
I have sacrificed everything for you,
and when I ask you this one
tiny thing in return
Well
You see how things must be now.
Well, if this is what you really want
perhaps something can be arranged.
Oh!
The queen insists that the beds
for her ladies-in-waiting be changed.
Her women belong to a
strict religious order
and will not sleep on anything
previously occupied by a man.
A used mattress is as close to a man
that those witches are likely to get!
She also complains
that it is not the Portuguese way
for a man to empty his bladder
at every street corner.
What's wrong with having a piss?
Tell the queen that if her attendants
do not care for our local habits,
they're welcome to return to Portugal.
And no new beds.
Her foreign servants
are a bad influence.
Did you give her my list
of ladies of the bedchamber?
She has removed Lady Castlemaine's name.
Then put it back.
- Henry!
- Your Majesty. Your Majesty.
Henry!
Do you know your son is dying?
I know it.
He has smallpox
and yet you've not been to see him.
Henry made his choice when he rejected
the one true Catholic Church.
I told him then that he'd made himself
a stranger to me and to God.
Nothing has changed.
- He's calling out for his mother.
- Seeing him now,
knowing he is at the very gates of hell,
would only increase my torment.
- YOUR torment!
- It is a matter of principles!
As you have none,
I do not expect you to understand.
How will I ever win toleration
for the Catholic faith in England
while the people believe
it demands such cruelty?
Toleration is weakness
and compromise by another name!
There is truth and there are lies,
and if you were a truly religious king,
you would drag every last heretic in
England back to the mother church
even if you had to burn
the lot of them to do it!
England will never be whole
until it is once more a Catholic nation.
Do not speak to me of toleration!
I will not see my son
again in this life.
If God is merciful,
perhaps we will meet again in the next.
I try to speak English.
I learn every day.
I am very bad, I think.
Your brother with God now.
Happy.
Happy?
Do you think so?
With all my heart.
Thank you.
I pray for him.
Catharine
Your English is very good.
The time is fast approaching
when we must teach the Dutch a lesson!
All foreign vessels
passing an English ship in the Channel
should lower their flags in salute!
It's traditional!
Lack of respect
is a poor reason to go to war.
This country showed us
kindness in our exile.
They've grown too strong.
We must strike before they strike at us.
- Any war would be over in weeks.
- We cannot be sure.
Cromwell defeated them! Are you saying
the king is a lesser warrior than him?
Of course not.
- This dispute is about trade, not flags.
- We have a right to defend our interests.
The spoils of victory
will make the crown rich.
Parliament will have
no more hold over you.
The king returned from exile to rule with
Parliament for the good of the people.
Destroying that harmony with a war
will smack of tyranny!
It is immoral to wage war against a fellow
Protestant nation without just cause.
Religion didn't stop the Dutch
stealing our trade routes!
You will never have a better opportunity
to make the crown wealthy and independent.
Instruct the navy to fire on the next Dutch
ship that dares show contempt for the colours.
I suspect the queen still
has some reservations
over Lady Castlemaine's appointment
to her household.
Keep your whore away from me!
She hate me, you hate
me, you laugh together!
- No one hates you!
- Liar!
I've made my decision and
you must abide by it!
Never! I go home!
- This is your home.
- Then you find new wife!
No, no, no!
No Castlemaine! Never!
No!
I die first!
- The rumours are everywhere!
- Because you spread them!
I was tricked into marriage
to give legitimacy to a bastard!
We all know the truth here, James.
Your wife has known only one man - you.
I was drunk when I bedded her
and drunk when she got me to the altar.
- Now you're sober, you want your freedom.
- I want a divorce!
I will not invite Parliament to meddle
in the affairs of the royal family.
- Why not if it serves our purpose?
- The child Hyde's daughter carries
may wear the crown one day.
If Parliament dissolves your marriage and
declares your offspring illegitimate,
what is to stop them doing so at a
time which does not suit us so well?
Do you think I'm stupid enough to hand
them a precedent they can use against me?
You've made your bed, James.
I suggest you lie in it - preferably with your wife!
You are losing your touch, my lady.
You drove him into her arms.
Virginity has some charm
to the jaded palate,
but inexperience soon palls.
At least now you shall have time
for more constant lovers.
- Shall I attend on you later?
- Not tonight. I have company.
Sit down.
Let me look at you.
You're not shy, are you?
After all,
I'm sure you've been
in a lady's private apartments before.
I've been longing to talk to you.
It's important that we
know each other well.
- Don't you agree?
- Yes.
You are the king's son
and I am his most valued friend.
What would be more natural
than a relationship of warmth and trust
between us?
Oh, my darling.
You should have told me to expect you.
I knew you'd return to me soon.
- What does it mean?
- It has no meaning.
It is some fiery matter
from a distant planet.
Beautiful, but quite dead.
Some say it is God's
portent of the millennium.
They foretell disasters and catastrophe
before a year is out.
Fire and brimstone!
The coming of the Antichrist!
Can these people
find nothing more original to predict?
We mock the unknown at
our peril, Rochester.
I prefer science to magic.
Put your eye to the glass.
Oh, it's beautiful!
You must join us later.
Lady Frances and I have devised a small
entertainment for the king's amusement
when the queen has retired.
I thought you would hate any rival
for the king's affection.
I have nothing to fear from that quarter.
She's the sweetest child. A dear friend.
Hm
Even after all these years
you still underestimate me, cousin!
Alas
Alas I lack the vital element
that makes a woman happy.
Aw!
But my innocent bride must not be
disappointed on her wedding night.
Is there some true gentleman
who would take my place?
Ravish her, Charlie!
Ooh!
There is too much detail
in your performance, sir.
Should we players not strive for
authenticity in all things?
Be patient, Your Majesty.
You shall have your opportunity.
Was man ever more rotten and filthy
than he is now?
More corrupt or decadent?
More worthy of extinction?
God has written his warning in the sky
for all to see!
His awful vengeance is upon us!
Charles Stuart is filthy
with lust and fornication,
and we must rise up against
this earthly tyrant!
This is the house of Christ himself.
Take care lest his wrath strike you dead.
It's your lucky day, preacher!
You're going to meet Jesus sooner than you expected!
These rebellious malcontents
are still with us.
No king has ever been more loved
by his people.
You might try a little sycophancy, Sir Edward.
It's quite fashionable in court circles!
Thank you, Captain.
Your Majesty has no need
of idle compliments from old friends.
If the throne is to be secure,
we must root out every last one
of these religious fanatics.
God willing, the waters will work
their miracle for the queen this time.
- Three years and still no child.
- How brave she is.
- Her poor little heart is breaking.
- Gloating does not suit you, Lady Castlemaine.
You do me an injustice, madam.
I am as distressed by the queen's suffering
as any of her loyal servants are.
We must all pray she
will conceive at last.
Even your husband.
- What can you mean by that?
- You know as well as I.
If the king dies childless,
James rules after him.
My husband would never wish
misfortune upon the king,
- no matter what he might gain by it.
- Of course not.
His modesty and honour
are beyond question.
Only a man of such high principle
would risk the people's fury
by taking Catholic instruction.
Who told you he was doing that?
Oh, dear.
Was it supposed to be a secret?
My lips are sealed.
Dead again, my lord.
- I could have taken you any time I wanted.
- What stopped you?
You're the king, Charlie!
Are you suggesting you held back?
Everyone else deceives you to gain favour.
Why should I be any different?
I depend on my friends
to deal with me honestly, George.
You are right to,
but there are those within your confidence
you should regard with more suspicion.
If you mean Hyde, you're
wasting your breath.
The pompous old rogue
makes himself rich at your expense.
He's a lot less greedy than some.
His advice is tainted
by selfish ambition.
The queen's physician sends his
compliments, Your Majesty.
He begs you attend on her urgently.
What's wrong? Are you ill?
Ooh!
Have I not taught you better
than to leave a lady unsatisfied?
Forgive me.
A moment's respite and I
will be prepared again.
What a polite young man you are.
So charmingly resilient!
I want to please you as my father does.
I don't think we need the
king in bed with us, do we?
It's quite crowded enough already.
You know I love you?
Of course you don't.
For one thing, I'm old enough to be
your
No! Shh! You are like no
mother I can imagine!
I was going to say "big sister".
We'll let it pass.
In a few months
you will be embarrassed
that you thought yourself so devoted.
But
But it does not mean we cannot remain
the most affectionate of friends.
And
if you listen to my advice
there's no limit to what you might
achieve.
What do you mean, madam?
What future do I have
that is not already clear to me?
Can you not imagine for yourself?
You are the son of a king.
The illegitimate son.
History is full of bastards
who became kings, little man!
If the queen remains barren
the greatest prize of all can still be
yours!
How dare you betray me, you slut?!
- Dress, so I can run you through with honour!
- I said I wished to be alone tonight!
- I have news.
- You have offended this lady's honour!
Then I humbly beg her forgiveness!
What is it that's so important?
The little queen has
finally done her duty.
She's with child.
The admiral
must be present in battle!
What kind of message does it send
to the men if he's on dry land?
You cannot go to sea. You're my heir.
- Until your child is born.
- The risk is too great.
If your grey comes home first, I will obey you.
If my nag wins, you must let me go.
Take the wager, sir.
Your horse is stronger.
Very well. Wager accepted.
Come on, Dancer!
Come on, Dancer! Come on, boy!
Now you must honour your promise.
Let the admiral join his fleet!
Only damned, traitorous Catholics
and those who love them
have any cause to fear the Test Act.
Will the king choose the Pope in Rome
over his own people?
Or will he defend his country
and the true Protestant faith?
This cannot go on! You must make the
king see where his true interests lie.
The queen herself is a Catholic.
Would Parliament have me test her loyalty, too?
I swore that no faithful subject of mine
would ever suffer for his religion.
- Parliament shall not dictate my principles!
- Principles are a luxury kings cannot afford!
You have much to gain here.
You are the head of the Church of England.
God's representative on earth.
An oath of loyalty to him
means loyalty to you.
Make the Church your rock and use this
Test Act as your defence against treason.
And what of loyal Catholics?
If any man, whether he be
Catholic, Puritan or Hindu,
put his religion before
you, abandon him.
This is an attempt
to make hatred and intolerance the law!
From now on, a man's faith will prove
whether he is with us or against us.
I will not see my devoted Catholic friends
and servants hounded from office!
When will you understand?
There is no other way!
In the eyes of Parliament, the Catholic
Church stands for tyranny, depravity
and the absolute unbridled
power of kings.
You cannot change those beliefs.
You must either swim with the tide
or be drowned by it.
Lady Frances!
Stop your childish nonsense
and go to the king's bed.
- There must be no more playing the virgin!
- You mean I should become his mistress?
- Isn't that what your games are leading to?
- Harmless flirtation.
- I never thought to sacrifice my honour.
- Give yourself to the king,
- and you will have power beyond your dreams!
- I don't care about power!
I only want to be married and happy.
Do everything I say, my dear,
and you will never regret it.
The queen has miscarried, Your Majesty.
She has contracted a fever.
I've done all I can to
make her comfortable.
Do you mean she's going to die?
It is in God's hands now,
but if she lives,
I fear she will never have children.
Have you seen our little boy?
I fear he must be very ugly!
No
No, he's a very pretty little boy.
He will be strong
and brave.
You will be proud of him.
How are the other children?
I've forgotten
How many children do we have?
- Why, three of course.
- Of course.
They're well.
Very well.
Your Majesty must rest now.
The queen is no longer in danger.
What is that?
The Duke of York has engaged the
Dutch fleet off Lowestoft, sir.
Many ships have been lost.
The sea is said to be thick with bodies.
Are you telling me I might have lost
two heirs to the throne in one week?
Complete victory is within our grasp.
I cannot withdraw now.
Three men were killed by a single shot
a yard away from you!
- I will look like a coward!
- If you die, do your infant daughters follow me?
Parliament would have to choose a regent.
Where might that lead?
Our family has lost the crown once.
I will not go down in history
as the man who lost it again!
They are so beautiful.
They're the king's children.
They're bound to be handsome.
He can father a healthy bastard with
some easy slut as freely as breathing,
yet I cannot give him
what he most needs.
God's will be done.
What did you do to deserve
such a sign of grace?
They should have been mine.
Lady Castlemaine was distressed
at your behaviour.
Do you know what a fool my brother is?
Life has taught him nothing.
He's all I have now.
And when I'm gone
he will undo my work
and bring the country to ruin.
All this could have been avoided
if you had given me a child.
It would have been better
if we had never married.
Shh!
We are such firm friends, she can
hardly bear to be parted from me.
You said she was expecting me.
She grew tired and fell
asleep, poor child.
How beautiful she is!
You never told her
I was coming, did you?
She knows nothing of this.
Once the game is on, the true passion
of her nature will show itself.
Take her.
She is rightfully yours.
She's only a girl anyway.
What does she know about love?
You're better off with me.
Some say your influence on me
is already too great.
Who's that? Ah, of course.
Hyde hates me because I speak
out against his corruption.
Be careful.
He's betrayed you once,
he'll do it again.
What do you mean?
Do you really believe he did not know about the
Duke of York's attachment to his daughter?
That he did not set the girl to seduce your
brother in order to ally himself to the throne?
There's worse.
Suppose he knew the queen was barren
before your marriage? Hm?
What then?
As father-in-law to the future king, his path
to power and influence would be assured.
Hyde is incapable of such treachery.
You can still defeat his schemes.
How?
Divorce the queen.
You would be wise
to keep such wild ideas to yourself!
If you lack the stomach for that,
you still have another card to play.
What card?
Monmouth.
He would make a great king.
He's illegitimate.
You could change that by acknowledging
your marriage to his mother.
I was never married to Lucy Walter.
Can you swear that on your oath?
Hyde is right.
You're nothing but a damned whore meddling
in affairs that do not concern you!
You must move to Oxford
until the plague subsides.
What does it say to the people
if I turn my back on their suffering?
Thousands have died. If people of quality
became infected, things would become serious.
It has never been as bad as this.
Every moment we delay in London, we risk our lives.
The magistrate
Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey.
I've heard reports of your good work
amongst the victims of the plague.
I have done no more than
my duty, Your Majesty.
What news do you bring?
Every attempt at containment has failed.
There were 600 cases last month.
Now the number is twice that every week.
All we can do is pray.
I must see for myself.
- We must go.
- What are you doing?
My place is here.
You've done enough. Why throw your life away?
You must leave town.
Where shall I go? London is my home.
If Charles married Lucy Walter,
there must be legal proof somewhere.
You're wasting your time.
It was a rumour put about by Cromwell
to discredit him.
In those days he had no crown,
no money, few friends.
Who knows what a man in that condition
might not risk?
Have you never done anything
utterly foolhardy for love?
Of course not! And neither have you!
The time for that business is over.
You know I prefer novelty.
Except for where the king is concerned.
I love the king.
I'm merely amused by you.
Whether he married Lucy or not
what matters is that
he should divorce the queen.
- Parliament would support such a measure.
- He never loved her.
Now she's a childless embarrassment.
Hyde will do everything in his power
to prevent a divorce.
Then we must ensure he's in no position
to use his influence.
In our days of exile
Charles kept his most intimate
documents in a black box
which he allowed no one else to open.
If there ever was a marriage certificate,
that is where you'll find it.
Once more, then, for
old friendship's sake.
I most firmly assert that the images of
Christ, of the Mother of God ever-Virgin,
and also those of other saints,
ought to be had and retained,
and that due honour and veneration
is to be given them.
With a few prayers and
a communion wafer,
you have earned the undying hostility
of your future subjects!
- A fair morning's work, I think!
- My religion is a private matter.
How much better a place the world
would be if that were true!
- What did you know of this?
- Nothing.
Even my own daughter
concealed it from me.
There's nothing more to be said.
I pray your faith brings you joy.
As it brings me closer to God,
it cannot do otherwise.
Your brother
will bring disaster on us all.
If his faith does not condemn him,
his stupidity will.
Parliament will never
stomach a Catholic king!
You must abandon him now.
Your only hope is to
divorce and marry again.
God knows the queen
has never meant to harm me.
She must be cut adrift.
Do it kindly, but do it soon.
You cannot allow affection
to blind you to your duty.
The king is coming. Give him what he
wants and he shall be yours to command.
Listen to me, girl.
You can get married any time if that is what
you want, even for love if you are lucky,
but you shall never again
have a king at your feet.
Lady Frances
You should know that Lady
Castlemaine is not your friend.
She has always been most kind to me.
Her kindness is never
without calculation.
What advantage could she hope to gain
from someone in my position?
Who knows what your
position might be one day?
You mean if I become your mistress?
Say the word and everything
you've ever dreamt of will be yours.
Everything.
Do you love me, sir?
I have rarely felt such
a need for a woman.
Perhaps that is love, I cannot say.
Will you give me some time
to think on what you've said?
Do not make me wait too long.
I would speak with you, sir.
If it pleases you.
I know now I will never have children.
I have tried to serve God faithfully,
but he has turned his face from me.
My sins must be very grave.
If there's any sin, it's mine.
I have heard the whispers in the court.
I see it in your eyes.
You will abandon me.
Well, then,
let it be so.
It is what Parliament wants
and it is your wish, so it must be done.
There's no need to speak of this now.
My religion forbids divorce,
but if you seek an annulment,
I will not contest it.
I will retire to a convent
in my native country
and never trouble you again.
We never loved each other,
so what does it matter?
I've always had the greatest respect
and affection for you.
From the first day I set
foot in this country,
you put Lady Castlemaine before me
in everything
but it is of no importance.
Our marriage was about
politics and money, not love.
Now it is over.
Perhaps you already have my replacement
close at hand?
Some court favourite
with beauty and charm!
Do not touch me!
Do not allow me to believe
you have any real feeling for me!
For God's sake, let me go in peace.
The king keeps certain of his papers in a black box.
He asked me to fetch them for him.
- Where is the box?
- I have never seen it, my lady.
Find it.
You'll be well rewarded.
Say nothing to the king.
He's not to be disturbed
on so trivial a matter.
Betray my confidence
and I'll personally
rip your tongue out!
No one can be certain
how many have died,
but it is not less than 60,000 souls.
Perhaps a third of all
Londoners are dead.
But the infection is in retreat?
Well, the funeral bells
are silent, thank God.
And it is safe for the
court to return to London?
You consider us cowards for leaving?
It is not for me to judge.
Yet you stayed at your post throughout.
Well, someone had to see to the dead
and prevent disorder on the streets.
You will be well rewarded, Sir Edmund.
My reward is that I'm still alive.
There are troublemakers abroad
who preach this terrible affliction is the Lord's
punishment on your court for its decadence.
Yet it is the poor who die
while we live as gaily as before.
Strange that God should send a plague
that punishes the innocent
and leaves the guilty untouched.
What are you doing here?
- You sent me a note.
- I sent no note.
It was I who received
one from Lady Frances.
With the compliments of Lady
Frances Stewart, Your Majesty.
It's in the same hand.
She begs to inform us that she's
eloped with the Duke of Richmond.
She says that by the time I read this,
they'll already be married.
So this is how she thanks me
for the attention I pay her!
She knew I was fond of her!
- What are you laughing at?
- Your face.
She's made idiots of us both. I never knew
the cunning little trollop had it in her!
I suppose I can rely on you
not to elope with some duke or other!
Why bow to some fool of a husband when I can
be mistress and have the world at my feet?
There is a favour I would ask of you.
Take Monmouth to your bed if you must, but
stop filling his head with idle dreams.
- How long have you known?
- Long enough.
If you encourage him to believe in a fate that
can never be his, it will only end in despair.
The fleet has been attacked near Ostend.
We have lost 20 ships
and almost 6,000 men.
The enemy's losses are
light by comparison.
I should have been with the fleet.
I might have prevented this.
We must bring this unnecessary war
to an end with all possible speed!
We need revenge, not surrender!
If we had fought with enthusiasm,
England would not be in such a position!
Perhaps there are those
who did not wish us to triumph!
What do you mean by that?
Who opposed this war from the outset?
Who spoke against the king's interests
at every turn?
Sir Edward's only crime was to urge caution.
I wish others had done so.
He has betrayed you in war
- and he will betray you in Parliament!
- Sit down.
Even now, he is plotting with your enemies
to ensure the Test Act becomes law.
Your dream of religious
toleration is already dead!
That is a lie! I am His
Majesty's loyal servant.
I would not be surprised to find
Dutch gold in that fortune of yours!
- No more of this!
- You won't listen, damn you!
Have my Lord Buckingham
escorted to the Tower.
One day you will understand
who your friends really are.
If Parliament will not let me rule as I wish,
I will dissolve it and govern on my own.
You must remember what happened when your
father defied the will of Parliament.
How can I forget? His fate
is with me every day.
Without Parliament, you have no money,
and this foolish Dutch war
has left the Crown deeply in debt.
If I accept the Test Act, my own
personal household must be exempted.
If I want a Catholic for a
minister, I will have him!
Parliament will say it is because
you are yourself a Papist at heart.
- Those are my terms!
- They will not be accepted.
Do not presume to tell the king
what is acceptable!
Parliament must accept this or nothing.
Do not return to me
without their agreement.
- You must apologise to Sir Edward.
- That I will never do.
I cannot have my ministers fighting
like rats in a sack.
There is a way of dealing with Parliament
and achieving everything you want,
but not while Hyde is in
charge of your affairs.
- Do you think you could do better?
- Of course!
Your father made mine his chief minister
and depended on him in everything.
Let us be as they were.
No man knows you or understands you
better than I.
Put your faith in me and
I swear I will repay it.
You'll be released in the morning.
The conduct of this war raises questions
of leadership that demand an answer!
The king's faith in his chief minister
has been repaid with such contempt!
Who amongst us would
not call it treason?
Sir Edward Hyde must be brought before
this House of Lords and impeached!
And when he is found guilty,
he must pay with his head!
We know Sir Edward
has no love for the Catholic Church.
He failed to sway Parliament because
his heart lies with their cause
not the king's.
You are as foolish as you are reckless.
Am I to be excluded from my position at
the Admiralty now because of my religion?
I'm the king's brother!
Parliament has no right to tell me
what I can or cannot do!
It is not just their
right but their duty!
Can you not bring these dogs to heel?!
If you hadn't chosen to indulge yourself
with your conversion to Rome,
your future would not be an issue.
The Dutch navy launched a surprise
attack in the Medway last night.
They sailed to Chatham
and attacked the fleet at anchor.
Our men either surrendered or mutinied.
The fleet is utterly destroyed.
It seems we have no option
but to sue for peace
on any terms.
Ask yourself who is responsible
for these catastrophes.
Ask yourself
who you trusted above all others.
And then ask yourself who is to blame.
I advised you against this war
but you would not listen.
How many times did I tell you the risk
was too great?
You allow whores and
fools to dictate policy.
You've frittered away all the goodwill
the mob once felt for you.
But it is not I
who stands accused of treason, is it?
I asked you to bring me toleration
and all I have is hatred.
England is not ready
to accept Catholics on equal terms.
You should have known that.
You promised me a parliament I could work with.
Relations have never been worse.
I was sent into battle
with my hands tied behind my back!
I cannot prevent your impeachment.
You know the charge of treason's absurd.
Someone must take the blame
for our military defeat.
You're a good enough politician
to understand it cannot be the king.
You intend to abandon me.
Sooner or later,
the king must find the
strength to rule alone.
- Ah!
- You taught me that.
I'm heartened you attended to
at least one of my lessons.
You'll find I was a better
pupil than you thought.
You would give them my head?
You must go into exile
tonight and never return.
There is no shame in this departure, Sir Edward.
Only a well-deserved retirement.
No king ever had a more devoted servant
than I have been to you.
God knows
you are as dear as a son to me.
I only ever had one father.
I do not need another.
His Majesty requests that you attend
on him directly, Your Majesty.
Am I to be abandoned too, Arlington?
If you know, for pity's sake, tell me.
Whispers and rumours swarm around
my court like a plague of flies.
The time has come
to put an end to so much uncertainty.
If the axe is to fall,
I pray you deliver the blow swiftly.
An act of Parliament
is all I require to end our marriage.
It is a simple process, I am informed,
with good precedence in law,
but God's divine will is not
to be set aside lightly.
What I am, he made me.
He alone will decide my successor,
not Parliament, or any earthly power.
I will not grant Parliament rights
it may one day use against me
or the legitimate heirs of my blood.
I will suffer no more talk
of divorce or annulment.
I've never considered it.
And I never will.
I know you can never feel
more than a friend's affection for me,
but as long as you allow me
to love and serve you,
it is enough.
The past is a closed book.
It can never be reopened.
Whatever you have been told,
or choose to believe,
there is nothing to be found in it
that will change your destiny.
My brother the Duke of York
is my heir.
Only a legitimate child of my blood
will ever replace him,
and no such child exists.
Let this be an end to
these matters for ever.
Forget your vain ambition.
Be happy as you are.
It's not fair!
He hates the Duke of
York and he loves me.
- Of course he does!
- I want to be a king!
The game is not yet over.
The queen is still barren,
James still Catholic.
Your time will come.
The whole of London is
on fire, Your Majesty!
Lord have mercy on us all!