Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
- Previously
- Tell me, how do I win you?
We need strong women
like you in the Church.
You think he was involved
in the King's death?
The man has a history.
Unearth it.
Do you need more evidence of God's wrath?
The bridge collapsed
- because He is displeased.
- The bridge collapsed because it's old and inadequate!
Tomorrow, the monks
are to elect a new Prior.
I would be so grateful
for your support.
The English flag
will fly on both sides
of the British Sea!
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's news?
Warring enlivens 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!
Let me defeat the French first.
Then we'll start worrying
about dresses.
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.
Make way for the Lord of Wigleigh!
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 ***?
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'd 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.
How dare you!
You have no right!
The King has the right.
We are 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.
Ralph, don't do this.
Oh, God.
It's alright,
it's alright, it's alright.
I'm here, Merthin.
I must be the only Prior
in Christendom who still lives
in his own monastery.
And 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.
It has come to my attention
that contrary to the beliefs
of many, land in 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.
Why do men think
we need them so desperately?
Just like babies, but
with a mind of their own.
And what about the new Lord?
I wouldn't mind him taking me
for a good ride.
Don't get your hopes up.
He flirted with me once
and allowed me a feel.
Not much there!
Hmm!
Alright, 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!
Shh, shh, shh, shh, shh.
Please, no!
Look at me.
Look at me!
He's got your face.
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?
Nothing.
Nothing's wrong.
Wulfric, take him.
Did someone do something to you?
Annet, look at me.
Who did this?
Ralph Fitzgerald.
- I'm going to kill him! You take the baby.
- No.
- Take him!
- Are you going to leave Sam without a father?
You're going to let him
get away with this?
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.
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 Honour,
but where is the proof?
We contend that this much vaunted will
is a myth.
Certainly no search
- has ever 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.
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.
That is my most fervent wish.
So if Satan provides the enemy,
and God provides a just opponent
in you, your duty is clear.
However you defeat her,
God will approve.
Prior Godwyn?
What are you doing here?
You really shouldn't
meet me here--
- 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?
We are here
We are here to discuss
Merthin's contract
to rebuild the bridge.
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!
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!
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.
Alright.
You'll come?
You'll really come?
Yes.
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.
A borough charter would enable Kingsbridge
to operate as an independent town.
Well, 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 that 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?
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.
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.
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 to 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.
Oh, my sister!
Pater Noster, panem nostrum
cotidianum da nobis hodie.
- Amen.
- Amen.
Caris!
- Get off! Get off!
- Stay, stay, stay, stay.
Don't do this to yourself,
Caris.
Please, please stay.
Come here.
As you do.
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.
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?
You shall hang.
Well, God save us then.
Get off me!
Get off me! I'm innocent!
Get off me!
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 collect?
I take no pleasure in this.
I've come to say goodbye.
I'm innocent.
You know that, Merthin.
The *** 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.
I pray God is merciful.
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, disembowelled.
Because of his once-noble birth,
Ralph Fitzgerald's crime
is even worse than that of Alan
Fernhill's.
Men of his standing
are obliged to have
exemplary behaviour!
Now we must make
an example out of him!
His execution
shall begin
with a public castration.
The King! The King!
- The King is here! It's the King!
- Make way!
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!
God save the King!
: God save the King!
God save the King!
God save the King!
God save the King!
What a charming town.
Will you stay for dinner
with us, Sire?
- It would be my honour to serve as your host.
- No, no, no,
there's an execution
at Salisbury tomorrow
that may provide recruits.
So this is Kingsbridge.
- Well, it's certainly ow!
- 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
like to consult with you.
Yes, yes.
Arise.
Please, um
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?
I expect that there's probably
still so a 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?
And no dung poultices, Your Majesty.
- 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!
Hmm.
It's never
too late.
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.
- Good evening.
- I hear you talked with the King?
Yes.
He was in pain.
I just nursed 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'd 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.
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.
I'll just get my case.
- Do you have everything?
- Yes.
A warning, my Lord,
it's rather bitter.
What's happening to him?
Breathe, breathe, breathe!
Help me to hold him!
Help me to hold him!
Fetch Brother Joseph!
In nomine Patri et Filii
et Spiritu Sancti.
Has he been poisoned?
- No, he
- What did you give him?
Nux vomica.
It's mild.
Is it witchcraft?
I'll test it.
Caris Wooler, you're under arrest
for suspicion of ***
and witchcraft!
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.
And most recently, I myself,
and many here present, witnessed
her blatant poisoning
of Earl Roland's son William!
This is a lie!
You're a liar, Godwyn!
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.
She's no witch!
Don't you touch her!
- Merthin!
- Take your filthy hands off 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.
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 thirty 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 blessed 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.
- Please, I can't leave you.
Let me pass!
- No.
If I do, she will be hanged.
If you really care for her,
you must let her go.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.