The Last King (2003–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Episode #1.1 - full transcript
Subtitles by MemoryOnSmells
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.
14.
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.
Subtitles by MemoryOnSmells
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.
14.
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.
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