World Without End (2012): Season 1, Episode 4 - Plague and Passion - full transcript

MAN: The King.
The King is here.

Father.

Father.

Dear Joan.

Edward.

Mother.

You're not needed here.

Joan missed you.

And I've missed her.

Look how you've grown!

What news?



Warring enlivens me

but the politicking,
it bores me.

Flanders has declared
neutrality

and the Low Countries
are bartering
to side with us.

This is good news.

It comes with a hefty fee,
and our treasuries are empty.

It's only money.

I hope France turns
out to be worth it.

Can you be crowned in
the Great Cathedral of Reims?

That would be beautiful.

I could wear gold!
(CHUCKLES)

Let me defeat
the French first.

Then we'll start
worrying about dresses.

WORKER: Merthin, do you
think the Queen will try
to stop us again?



Well, we have no choice,
and we're in the right.

How's the shoreline
of the scaffold, Jeremiah?

We just put it in.

Well, can you go and check?

Will do, Merthin.

John, go and help Jeremiah.

(HORSE NICKERS)
MAN: Move away!

Make way for
the Lord ofWigleigh.

GODWYN: I care nothing for
things of this world.

One day I'll get Kingsbridge
to follow my example.

By building more walls
and hanging more whores?

By embracing the values
of the Church Fathers.

Saint Jerome lived in a cave

and he wore skins of animals.

We all need to
divorce ourselves
from our worldly desires.

Apart from our mother's
cooking, of course.

Saint Jerome,
as I recall, was a bishop.

Without that level of power
your plans will
come to nothing.

Live in a cave in
your heart, my boy,

but if you wish to win
respect, build a palace.

Perhaps these, maybe.

Lady Philippa.

What an unexpected pleasure.

Hello, Lord Ralph.

I do prefer green.
I like it.

Would this flatter me?

I think you'd
flatter it, My Lady.

It's a little heavy for
summer though, I think.

I'm planning ahead, sir.
Doing what I can
while it's still easy.

My Lady?

Have you not heard?

I'm with child.

EDMUND: How dare you!
You have no right!

The King has the right.
We're at war.

We don't care
about your damn war.

We're being forced
to pay for something
that won't benefit us.

What's going on here?

You're robbing us blind!

Let him go!

What do you
think you're doing?

We're borrowing
money for the war.

How do we know that
this is the King's will?

Do you have any
written orders?

What man here can read?

I can.

Don't get involved, brother.

I am involved.
This is my town

and we need to
rebuild our bridge,
you know that.

Keep loading.

Yes, My Lord.
Ralph, don't do this.

EDMUND: That's outrageous.

Wait.

CARIS: No, no!

No! He's just...

No, just leave him!

EDMUND: Stop it!

You have made your point.

Oh, God. It's all right,
it's all right,
it's all right.

Can you hear me, Merthin?

It's all right,
just lie still.

I must be the only
Prior in Christendom

who still lives in
his own monastery.

We need a place of comfort
to offer our special guests,

and I obviously warrant
private quarters, too.

I see.

And who will pay for this?

The Church, of course.

You can have
a private sanctuary
as well, if you'd like.

Thank you, Prior.

But the convent
owns the land, not me.

We are a religious order
with communal possessions.

The convent owns nothing.

The convent is considering
building a hospice here.

A hospice?

With Caris Wooler
to tend the sick.

You'd put her
witchcraft before
the glory of God?

If you are asking
me if I would put

the common good
above priestly vanity,

the answer would
have to be "yes."

I give you good day.

Mother Cecilia?

Prior Godwyn wants my land
to build a palace.

I told him I would
rather you have it
to build a hospice.

The land is yours
and I will fund the building.

(LAUGHING)

It has come to my
attention that contrary
to the beliefs of many,

land in Kingsbridge
belongs to the Priory.

I know this will come
as a surprise to some

but I can assure them
I have searched
all our archives

and can find no evidence
that suggests otherwise.

Kingsbridge
belongs to the Priory,

not the landholders, tenants

and not the convent.

It is therefore
my duty as Prior
to manage our property.

And I alone
will make decisions
regarding its use.

For the Glory of God.

He's a conniving weasel!

Godwyn?

Yes.

Conniving and stupid.

I've put up with his
nonsense for too long.

I'm going to London.

Would you care
to accompany me?

Yes.

We'll have the court put
Godwyn in his place.

(SCAMPERS)

(WOMEN TALKING, LAUGHING)

WOMAN 1: We met at the Fair
in the village.

I hope he's keeping you
on your toes.

(LAUGHS) Yes.

ANNET: And how is your
new beau?

WOMAN 2: Ugh, so jealous.

Why do men think
we need them so desperately?

Just like babies,
but with a mind of their own.

DORY: What about
the new lord?

I wouldn't mind him
taking me for a good ride.

(ALL LAUGHING)

Don't get your hopes up,

he flirted with me once
and allowed me a feel.

Not much there!

(ALL GIGGLING)

DORY: Right, I'm going
back to the village.

I won't be long.

See you there.

Come on.

Not much there?

My Lord.

I didn't mean it seriously,
My Lord.

My friends and I
were only joking.

There's a lot more
there than you think.

Lie down.

Go on, lie down.

Please, My Lord.

I said, "Lie down."

No!

He said, "Lie down."

(ANNET STRUGGLING)

(SCREAMING, CRYING)

(SHUSHING)

Please, no! No, no.

Look at me. Look at me!

Is that big enough for you?

Look at me.

Look at me.

He's got your face.

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

I think we ought
to call him Samuel. Sam.

After my da?
Yeah.

Annet?

What are you doing?

Wait, what's happened?

What's wrong?

(SOBBING)
Nothing. Nothing's wrong.

Wulfric, take him.

Did someone do
something to you?

Annet, look at me.

Who did this?

Ralph Fitzgerald.

I'll kill him.

I'm going to kill him!

You take the baby.

No.
Take him!

Are you going to leave Sam
without a father?

I beat Ralph once,
and I'm gonna do it again.

He's a lord now.
You'll be hanged for it.

You're going to let
him get away with this?

GWENDA: There's other
ways to punish him.

Annet can swear
out a complaint...

Nothing is gonna come of it!

It's the law.
The Sheriff has to listen.

At least give it a chance
before losing your life.

(BABY FUSSING)

Two hundred years ago
Prior Philip
established our convent.

In his last
will and testament,

he systematically stated
that the convent
should have autonomy

to manage its own land.

We've all heard
this tale, Your Honor,
but where is the proof?

We contend that this
much vaunted will is a myth,

apparently written on air.
Certainly no search
has brought it to light.

Well, I cannot
speak for the Priory.

Indeed their document
may have been
lost or misplaced,

or maybe even destroyed.

But the convent's
document certainly exists.

I need to examine this.

Come back tomorrow.
I'll give you
my decision then.

(TALKING INDISTINCTLY)

She's convinced Mother Cecilia
to build this hospice.

Caris Wooler is
Satan's apprentice.

You truly believe that?

I know it to be true.

And God works through you,

you believe that, too?

That is my most fervent wish.

So if Satan
provides the enemy,

and God provides
ajust opponent in you,
your duty is clear.

However you defeat her,
God will approve.

(KNOCKING)

Prior Godwyn.

What are you doing here?

You really
shouldn't be in here.

(GROANS)

Where's Prior Godwyn?

Returning to Kingsbridge.
He had a meeting
he wished to attend.

Sorry to keep you waiting.
I've only just been
assigned the case.

Where is Judge Wheatfield?

You haven't heard?
He died last night in a fire.

His rooms and all
of their contents
were destroyed.

Including the will?

What will?

(ALL CLAMORING)

We are here to
discuss Merthin's contract
to rebuild the bridge.

It's up for its
annual renewal.

He has requested
budget increases
due to delays.

Which will bring his costs
above his promised estimate.

Excuse me, Prior!

But the delays are
the Queen's fault,
not mine!

Yes, but neither of
you has the floor!

Now, I have been
told that the Priory

wishes to hire
Elfric to replace Merthin.

What says the Priory decides
who should build the bridge?

We're paying for it!

Why should we suffer
for the Queen's foolishness?

There! There, you see?
Women.

Women and Jews run this town.

Godwyn, Jeremiah is
a Christian convert.

Against his will.

And Madge has been
a member of the Guild
since you were a boy!

(EDMUND POUNDING THE TABLE)

Kinsgbridge
belongs to the Priory!

Not to the Guild!
Not to the convent,
the women or the Jews!

Now, I am in charge here,
and if you don't hire Elfric,

we will rescind our permission
to build the bridge

and construction will stop!

(GRUNTING)

Godwyn's a fool.

Elfric can't follow my plans!
He doesn't even
begin to understand them.

This bridge
will be a disaster.

A great opportunity

gone.

Perhaps, perhaps not.

You thought that this would be
the culmination of your quest.

But there's a world
beyond this town bridge.

You have a talent, Merthin.

Go and find a place
that will nurture it.

What are you doing here?

I've been waiting for you.

I have bad news.

I have worse.

I've been dismissed.
Elfric is to build the bridge.

So I'm at your service.
Ready to start
on your hospice.

There's not going
to be a hospice.
We lost the appeal.

So Godwyn has robbed
us both of our plans.

Well, there's nothing keeping
either of us here.

Come away with me
to Florence.

Italy?

Yes.

I'll learn how to build
from the Italian masters.

Come with me.

Caris, I want you with me.

All right.

You'll come?

You'll really come?

Yes.

(BOTH LAUGHING)

I'm sorry I couldn't
have been more help.

Caris! Mother Cecilia!

Father, we lost.

I know, I know.

But listen, Brother
Thomas has a solution.

Really?
Yeah, let him tell you.
Come.

Well, a borough charter
would enable Kingsbridge

to operate as
an independent town.

Well, why would the King
grant one?

Because he needs the money.

As heads of the Guild,
and with Brother Thomas's
help,

I'll travel to London
and broker a deal.

Then this is
cause for celebration!

Sister Elizabeth,
bring us the best ale!

But you haven't
got a charter yet.

Well, we have hope of one.

We could have your
hospice within the year.

Assuming you're
still here to run it.

Oh, you're ready?

You're not coming.

We can't let him win.

There's a chance
I could have my hospice,
and you your bridge.

It's a small chance,
but I have to see it through.

What's changed?

Father's going to buy
a borough charter
from the King.

It'll free the town
from Godwyn

and give us
everything we hoped for.

I'll understand if you say no.

You really think you'll be rid
of me that easily?

(CHUCKLES)

Why are you telling
me this, Sister...

Elizabeth.

Elizabeth.

I'm afraid that Mother Cecilia
has lost her way.

She promises
a hospice to a woman
who has left her husband

and meddles in dark arts.

Mother Cecilia does
not see the wantonness

and evil that
we see, My Prior.

Consequently
I thought that this conspiracy
should not be kept from you.

Well,
thank you, Sister Elizabeth,
you've acted wisely.

I trust you will
continue to be my eyes
and ears where I am forbidden.

If Uncle Edmund
buys a borough charter,
we will be left powerless.

Are you sure it's that simple?

Well, are you willing
to take the chance? I'm not.

He's leaving for
London next week.
We must stop him.

How do you propose to do that?
Charm him?

No, I can't get close
to the man.

But you can.

What are you suggesting?

What? Have you
forgotten what you advised
me to do in London, Mother?

How can you ask this of me?
He's my brother.

This is not the time
to be squeamish.

All that we've
worked for will be lost.

You said it yourself,
if Satan provides

the enemy and God
provides the means,

our duty is clear.

Mother, do this for me.

Besides, I can always
absolve you later.

I expect to be in
London for a fortnight.

If it takes any
longer I'll send word,

but I'm very confident
that you will take
care of the business.

If all goes well with
the King's chancellor,

Kingsbridge will change hands,

and I can return
and proclaim us
a very different town, indeed.

Yes, Godwyn mentioned it.

Well, I daresay
he's not happy about it.

But it's his own fault,
sister.

He runs the town as
if he was some sort

of prince instead
of an elected prior.

He's not very popular,
to say the least.

But he is my son, Edmund.

You do realize,
I hope, that I am compelled
to do anything in my power

to secure his position.

(COUGHING)

Oh, my sister!

(CONTINUES COUGHING VIOLENTLY)

(GODWYN PRAYING IN LATIN)

Amen.

Caris!

Don't! Get off me!

Stay, stay, stay, stay.

Don't do this to yourself,
Caris.
Please, please stay.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(ALL CHATTERING, LAUGHING)

(INAUDIBLE)

(POUNDING)

Ralph Fitzgerald
and Alan Fernhill,
stand before me.

On your feet!

Yes, My Lord?

The Sheriff here has
a warrant for your arrest.

It says that you
did both lie with

a girl from Wigleigh
against her will.

It was hardly
against her will, My Lord.
Alan will back me up on that.

According to the complaint
she's been examined

and found to be
torn and bruised.

I always knew
you would fuck up.

My Lord, I protest,
we're innocent!

That will be determined
by the trial.

And what if the girl lies
and the judge believes her?

Then, like your father,
you shall hang.

Well, God save us then.

(ALL GROANING)

Get off me! Get off me!

I'm innocent! Get off me!

Oh, I'm sorry,
Your Majesty.

It's not healing properly.
I'm not certain why.

And what do you suggest?

Amputation, of course,
is always the safest option.

Or we can wait.

This war should
have been long over.

We control the sea,
why aren't we winning on land?

Majesty, our forces
are sadly depleted.

We must replenish them.

Then replenish them.
Call out the peasantry.

The peasants aren't
free to join us, sire.

And pray why?

To pay your taxes,
the lords need them
to farm their lands.

We can't afford
to reduce taxes?

No, of course not.

But if I might suggest,
there are other sources
of recruitment.

Ralph.

Have you come to gloat?

I take no pleasure in this.

I've come to say goodbye.

I'm innocent.

You know that, Merthin.
The bitch lied.
She gave herself to me.

The court found you guilty.

It was Roland's court.

He hanged our father,
and now he'll hang me.

All I've ever wanted was
to make our father proud.

And how would
raping a girl in Wigleigh
make our father proud?

I pray God is merciful.

(CHEERING)

The next two men are guilty
of far greater crimes
than these outlaws.

Their punishment, therefore,
will be even more terrible.

They will be half hanged,
and then, still alive,
disemboweled.

Alan Fernhill!

(SCREAMING)

(CHEERING)

Because of his
once-noble birth,

Ralph Fitzgerald's crime
is even worse
than Alan Fernhill's.

Men of his standing
are obliged to have
exemplary behavior.

Now we must make
an example out of him.

His execution shall begin
with a public castration.

(CROWD CHEERING)

(BELL TOLLING)

MAN: The King!

The King is here!
It's the King!

Hear ye! Hear ye all!

In an effort to
replenish his troops

in the face of
the enemy threat,

His Majesty King Edward III
is pardoning all criminals

willing to join him
in fighting France!

I fear I've come a bit late.

No, not too late,
Your Majesty!

God save the King!

CROWD: God save the King!
God save the King!

(CHANTING) God save the King!

God save the King!

What a charming town.

Will you stay for
dinner with us, sire?

It would be my honor
to serve as your host.

No, no, no,
there's an execution
in Salisbury

tomorrow that may
provide recruits.

So this is Kingsbridge.

Well, it's certainly...

Sire, what's wrong?

Damn wound I got at Sluys.
It refuses to heal.

We have an excellent surgeon.

She repaired
my skull after it cracked
during the bridge collapse.

You can see the gap.

"She"?
Yes. Quite a curiosity.

Shall I see if she's at hand?

Sire, what is it?

I thought I saw...

Take me to her.

Caris Wooler?
The King would
consult with you.

Yes, yes. Arise.

Please...

Come inside.

I shall.

Alone, if you please.

How can I help, Your Majesty?

A French arrow.

My physicians
have done their best

but it still
pains me somewhat.

May I?

(KING WINCES)

Sorry.

I expect that there's probably
still some arrow in there.

I can remove it if
Your Majesty so wishes.

There's nothing to fear.
I was trained by the best.

Then do your worst.

She's alone with the King.
She'll ask for
a borough charter!

Do you honestly think
she can persuade a king?

She's a temptation to all
but the fiercest of
God's saints, Mother.

Of course she can.

There we go.

There we go.

Right. You need to change
the dressing twice a day.

And keep it clean.

Can you hold that?

Thank you.

And no dung poultices,
Your Majesty.

You...
You don't believe in dung?

No.

I believe it does
more harm than good.

Thank you, Caris Wooler.

I'll follow your suggestions
to take care of this.

Clear the way!

Make way for the King.

He'll follow her suggestions?
I told you, it's too late!

Mmm.

It's never too late.

It's a fine beast.

It's such a pleasure,
My Lord, having you

dining with us in
the house of God.

This evening's
food has made up

for this afternoon's
botched entertainment.

Here we are.
Apples stewed in cinnamon.

I was told you liked apples,
My Lord William.

Nearly as much as Adam.

(ALL LAUGHING)

Good evening.

I hear you talked
with the King?

Yes.

He was in pain.
I dressed and
lanced his wound.

I didn't ask for
a borough charter.
It just didn't seem fitting.

Do you think I missed
the perfect opportunity?

No, no, you were right.

To approach him at such a time
might have been seen

to be taking advantage
and incurred his anger.

Did he talk
about anything else
this afternoon?

No. Why do you ask?

When I was a knight
I fought for his mother
against his father.

I thought he might
have recognized me.

Nope. Didn't say a thing.

William, dear,
what is it?

It's just a bit
of indigestion.

Your simple food
is far too rich.

Ah!

Is there a local physician?

What about the woman
who helped
Sir Roland and the King?

Caris Wooler.

Yes, I'll fetch her.

You'll be all right.

Niece! Lord William is ill
and needs a potion
for indigestion.

Roland insisted
I get it from you.

Quickly, please.
He's very uncomfortable.

Right away.

Good evening, Brother Thomas.

Petranilla.
I was just leaving.

Thank you, Caris.

You're welcome.

Goodnight.
Goodnight.

I'll just get my case.

Do you have everything?

Yeah.

Awarning,
My Lord, it's rather bitter.

ROLAND: God in heaven,
what's happening to him?

Breathe, breathe, breathe!

Help me to hold him!

Fetch Brother Joseph!

(PRAYING IN LATIN)

(PHILIPPA GASPS)

(SCREAMS)

Has he been poisoned?

(CRYING)

No, he...

What did you give him?

Nux vomica. It's mild.

Is it witchcraft?

I'll test it.

(DOG SUFFERING)

Caris Wooler,
you're under arrest
for suspicion of murder

and witchcraft!

GODWYN: Nearly a year ago,

we hanged
a witch in Kingsbridge,

who cursed
the bridge in her dying.

And how foolish of us
to allow her apprentice
to take her place.

This woman uses
the same workshop

to mix the very
same diabolic powders.

WOMAN: She helps people!

She uses spells
scribed by infidels!
MAN: She's innocent.

And most recently, I myself,
and many here present,

witnessed her
blatant poisoning
of Earl Roland's son William,

who died a most
terrible death!

This is a lie!
You're a liar, Godwyn!

(CROWD SHOUTING)

But even I...

Even I grant her innocence

until we have administered
the final test.

I will strip her

and examine her
for the Devil's mark.

MERTHIN: She's no witch!

Don't you touch her!

Take your filthy
hands off of her.

I'll kill you if you harm her!

Stop it! Stop this insanity!

This is outrageous!

The rules of propriety
must be observed.

If you insist
on examining her,

I will do it myself.

How dare they
accuse you of this?

You realize that if I find
no Devil's mark upon you,

they'll think of
another way to hang you.

There is one thing
they have not thought of.

This is Priory ground.

Confess and claim sanctuary
within the Priory.

But I'm innocent.

Yes. But you can
never prove that to them.

If you confess, you live.

And then in 30 days
they'll just cast
me out and hang me.

That's the law.

Not if you take vows as a nun.

No, that's a path
I never sought.

I know.

But what choice do you have?

And think, Caris,
think what you could do.

So much that you desire.

You could continue
to practice medicine.

We could have
a convent clinic.

I'm married to Elfric.

The Lord supersedes all.

Elfric's claims on you
would be relinquished.

The wimple and veil
will protect you
from everything.

Barring unhappiness.

Live.

Happiness will follow.

The woman has confessed

and will enter the convent
of the Priory of Kingsbridge.

All her money and possessions
will be forfeited
to the Church.

So long as she remains a nun,
she will never be touched.

Break your vows, my dear,
and you'll be hanged.

Caris!

Caris, please.
Please, this is madness!
Come back with me.

Please, I can't let you go.

Let me pass!

If I do, she will be hanged.

If you really care for her,

you must let her go.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Caris.