This programme contains prolonged violent scenes from the start and some strong language
MEN SHOUT
MAN SCREAMS
William!
Harold!
INJURED MEN GROAN AND COUGH
HE WINCES
Any time would be good.
- Do you want it done fast or well? - I want it finished.
If you insist on walking into swords, my Lord,
- there's not much I can... - There were three of them, Fitz,
- all at the same time. - Lucky it wasn't four, then, hmm?
If you were half as quick with your sword as you are with your wit...
William, you're hurt.
My Lord, I have to finish with your arm.
It's nothing.
Aye, Matilda.
You've received an invitation.
To where?
England.
Your cousin Edward is their new king.
He's about to be crowned.
You've been invited to the coronation.
They want me to travel all the way to it?
Apparently they do.
When did you last have any word from them?
I don't think I've ever had word from them.
I knew them briefly when they were here in exile,
but Edward and I were just children.
What do you think they want?
No idea.
What do I know of England?
FLIES BUZZ
It's a fucking massacre.
Harold, what's going on?
HE STRAINS
The sword!
Tostig, take a look at this. What do you think?
- The metal? - The grind is pretty rough.
It's not ours.
- Mercia? - Mercia.
But why would Mercia break the peace agreement?
They'd forfeit everything to the Crown.
Exactly, which is why we have to tell Father.
Tostig, where's Sweyn?
He's invited himself to another wedding.
Sweyn, are you in there?
Yes.
SWEYN CHUCKLES
I didn't know you were invited.
I very much doubt you were invited.
Sweyn, what have you been doing?
Deflowering the bride, as is my right as a Lord.
I'm sure Father will be thrilled.
- Father doesn't need to know about it. - That you're an embarrassment?
Oh, pull your head out of your arse, Harold!
Your blood's no different.
And, besides, she loved every minute of it.
I'm not getting into this with you.
I just found the remains of a Mercian raid.
Don't be stupid.
There was an attack on a Dover road this morning.
The Mercians crossed our border in violation of the peace agreement.
How do you know it was Mercians?
- We found their swords. - Shut up, Tostig.
- Find my boots. - Father needs to know about it,
so you and I need to be in agreement, or he won't listen.
So when I tell him, you're going to back me up.
Got it?
- Yes, I've got it. - Good.
BOOTS DROP ON THE FLOOR
Unbelievable.
If Father gets to hear about this...
..I'll do you harder than I did her.
Good boy.
MUSICIAN SINGS SOFTLY
- Shit. - Greetings, Odo.
Oh! William. I was just, er...
..taking a piss.
Hiding in the forest until the battle was over?
Oh, no. And I'm shocked,
shocked you think such an appalling thing of your brother.
Half-brother.
- Well... - I saw you slope off into those trees yesterday morning.
Well, I was just, er...
Look, you swore to our mother on her death-bed
that you'd take care of me,
so keeping out of battles means I'm just, er,
sparing you the unnecessary worry.
How charitable.
Yeah, that's me.
HORN BLOWS
What the hell is that?
That is the sound of a king.
- Oh, can I come? - No. No.
What a day, my boy.
No ceremony.
What a glorious day for the finest son of Normandy.
- It's been too long. - Always too long.
How time escapes us, eh?
Why are we not together more?
Because all you ever do is hunt, night and day.
What else is a king to do with his time? Fight wars?
That's your game, William, and you're far better at it than me.
Well, you used to be.
- What happened to the arm? - Just giving it a rest.
Uncle.
What are you doing outside of France?
I've been reliably informed you've gone to war with Guy of Brionne.
I've come to see his head.
- Do you have it? - We've got him bound and gagged.
- I'll get a good ransom for him. - My Lord.
Your Majesty.
You have to see this.
We may have lost him.
- Guy? - Yes.
Fuck.
It's over here.
I'm fine.
Get up!
Explain.
Guy flew into a frenzy.
Ripped his arm right down to the bone to get out.
He's gone.
I saw it with my own eyes.
He's gone.
My eyes see blood here.
I don't see blood where his wrists were ripped
right down to the bone.
- My Lord... - Hmm? Came to an arrangement?
No.
- Payment for freedom? - My Lord, I am not your enemy. - No.
Not any more.
Sloppy, William.
I will dispatch men to find Guy and rectify this disappointment.
He came a long way just to see Guy's head.
I wonder what was inside it.
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
The Mercians are crossing our borders to raid.
That's impossible.
That is Mercian iron, Father.
Tostig and I saw a massacre with our own eyes.
- It was Mercians. - It's madness, is what this is.
You won't accept what is right in front of you?
Just as the three earldoms have finally agreed to peace,
you're saying that the Mercians have decided to throw it all away?
- I'm telling you what I know. - Hmm.
What do you think, Sweyn?
Yeah, well, I think you're right, Father.
I think it is madness.
HAROLD EXHALES
Huh.
Father, I will prove it. Let me bring you proof.
By crossing the border and breaking the peace yourself?
Another ten years of civil war, is that what you want?
- They've already broken the peace agreement. Here! - Look!
Do you think I wouldn't see it?
Hmm?
Four kings, four, I've served as Earl of Wessex,
and I never broke my word to any of them.
That's how this family survives, Harold.
Because we can be trusted.
That's how we maintain control.
You control the earls, and you control England.
Now, Edward has married your sister,
and in return, my influence has made him King,
and that is our deal.
And that will put Wessex blood on the throne,
and nothing can jeopardise that - nothing!
All this? They're just bandits, Harold.
Now the coronation is looming, watch yourself.
Mother.
Be careful.
Why do you rile Harold like that?
He does have a breaking point.
It's because he doesn't listen.
It's Harold that needs your encouragement, not Sweyn,
and if he has something to say, you need to hear him out.
What if he's right, Godwin?
Have you considered that?
Harold fears the worst, that's all.
It's a good quality for a leader,
but not while we're at peace.
Peace needs the bigger picture.
And what about Tostig?
Don't be daft, woman.
Tostig's yours.
HE CHUCKLES QUIETLY
Come on, people want a feast for this coronation.
HE SINGS
ALL SING ALONG
You are not seriously considering going to England?
Edward is William's cousin.
And about to become an English king.
A foreign king.
That makes him an enemy, can you not see?
I can see it makes him your enemy.
My enemies are your enemies.
I disagree, Uncle.
Matilda.
Edward's mother was Queen of England twice.
She was married to two different kings.
We scorn her at our peril.
When Edward wears the crown, his mother will lose her power.
When Edward wears the crown, Lady Emma will be his power.
Your father didn't trust them, William. Why should we?
Where were they after he died,
when you were living in ditches,
a scared bastard boy without a family,
dodging assassins and waiting for your closest to betray you?
Where were they then, these English kin of yours?
It was me who stood beside you.
It was me who protected you,
who backed you as Duke.
You're nothing to these English people.
Their channel is at our back. We'd be fools to make an enemy of that.
HE LAUGHS SCORNFULLY
And you think they'd dare cross it with an army?
What kind of fool would try such a thing?
Henry, Matilda's right.
I can't refuse this invitation.
Better to look them in the eye than insult them with my backside.
Besides, Henry,
who refuses a king?
Well...
..if your mind is set, there is nothing I can do but embrace you
and respect your judgment.
Visit your kin.
It's no concern of mine.
And don't you worry about Guy of Brionne.
My men will find him. You can forget he ever existed.
France will protect Normandy as its little brother.
Be careful in England.
MEN CHEER DRUNKENLY
My Lord, would you join us for a drink to our victory?
Tomorrow, when the sun rises, we'll be alive to see it.
That's victory.
To being alive!
SINGING RESUMES
You don't want to stay and hear their music?
No. I've heard it all before.
He came all this way to make sure Guy was dead.
Why? What does he think he knows?
And he's got England stuck in his throat.
Why would going there be such a weakness?
Because it doesn't serve his purpose.
You go.
- I'll find Guy and make him talk. - You sure?
Take Odo with you. Find him before Henry does.
I know the terrain better than him.
That's very generous of you.
- You're welcome. - I wasn't thanking you.
No, I took the liberty.
Yeah, you did, didn't you?
Hey, where are you going?
What are you going to do?
- You think you can press your advantage? - Oh, promises.
- You think I'm impressed because you're a duke? - No.
- Yet still, you are here. - I think, deep down,
it impresses you that my cousin is to be the King of England.
SHE LAUGHS
There it is, there's my music.
WOMAN SINGS
To the new king!
Let's drink to the new queen.
It's like Father said. Use your head.
When I'm Earl, that's exactly what I'll do.
Careful, measured consideration of all the facts.
All the facts? Really?
Yes, Harold, all the facts.
Sweetheart, a moment, please.
- What about you, Harold? - Well, Harold's never going to be Earl.
Oh, don't worry, Sweyn, it's your title,
no-one's going to take it away from you.
Anyway, there are more important things in life, right, Father?
Oh, so you do listen, then?
I'm always listening.
- You can tell that because his lips are moving. - Fuck off, Sweyn.
The important thing now is that your sister is married to the King,
and in two days, they will be crowned.
Everything is changing.
Everything.
I may be an old man, but I know what war takes from us.
This is a new age, that's how important the coronation is.
Where are you swanning off to?
Hey.
Did you see the blade I left?
Mercian, no question.
Next time you find a raid, take their money.
Did you see that man over there?
He's the moneyer in Ockley,
and he has been pressing his silver too thin.
Too much brass in the alloy.
- How do you know? - I heard it when I poured his drink.
He thinks having tits means I don't have ears.
So apply a little pressure to him, and he can tell you
if the bandits were paid in Mercian money.
You know, my father needs to be listening to this.
- Edith. - I'm not blood. My voice has no value to your family.
You are as much a part of this family as any of them.
Come on.
Hey.
BABY BABBLES
You can leave us now, Sarah, thank you.
Hello.
Hey.
Why would the Mercians do it?
Not in here, Harold. Talk about something else, please.
Sorry.
What do you want to talk about?
BABIES BABBLE
I want to know what they're talking about.
HE CHUCKLES
Come here!
What do you think my father saw when he looked at me?
Himself.
I doubt that.
- What do you think he sees? - Protection.
That's still my promise, Edith.
Danish marriage or church marriage, it's no matter to me.
It matters to your father.
I will not let him church marry me to someone else.
I would never let that happen.
What Godwin wants, Godwin gets.
And if he decides that he wants to get rid of me...
He won't.
That is my promise.
I will not end up like my sister, dead in a Mercian ditch.
Women are cast aside in this world.
- Men's eyes are fickle. - Not mine.
Pluck my eyes out, you'll still be worth more to me than...
- Thin-pressed silver? - Thin-pressed silver!
They can't even keep their roads clear in this godforsaken place.
Be careful.
ATTACKER ROARS
MAN SCREAMS
W-what is this?
London's that way.
Who are you?
Are you robbing them?
No.
What is this?
You're lucky.
The last time this happened here, there was a massacre.
Well, thank God you showed up.
Yeah. Thank God.
William...
You all right?
I'm fine.
What about our men?
We lost them.
Bravo, Philip.
Has she found him?
Not yet, Your Majesty.
Neither have you.
Rectify this.
Find Guy of Brionne.
Papa, who is Guy of Brionne?
He's someone who did me a service.
A long time ago, ancient history.
Bravo.
Your Majesty, Duke William of Normandy.
- Edward. - Cousin William.
You came.
I knew you would.
Old enemies and new foes...
..blood runs them dry.
I knew it.
I saw it.
You seem well.
William of Normandy.
What a welcome sight.
Let me take a look at my nephew.
Yes, you still have my brother in you, I can see it.
And your victories, your immense victories.
You flatter me, Lady Emma.
No, you flatter us.
Your presence here flatters all of us.
Tonight you will eat with us.
Harold.
Where have you been?
This is proof that something is wrong.
Mercian coins.
Found on one of the bandits.
Proof that Mercians are raiding our land.
This could threaten the safety of Wessex, Father.
It's proof of nothing but your arrogance.
When I give an instruction, it is to be followed.
An earl's orders are to be followed.
To where, Father?
To oblivion?
Where does this end?
What do I have to do to prove myself?
What do I have to do to make you see?
This ends right now.
Give me your word.
Say it.
Mercian money, newly minted.
What did your father say to you? What's happening?
He made me promise that I'd forget all this,
that I would let it all go.
If Mercia are doing this,
- our children are in terrible danger. - He's losing his touch.
Harold, when you promised your father you'd drop it,
- tell me you were lying. - I can't make sense of it.
You tell me, Harold.
Right now, with your blood up, so that I can see it.
Was it a lie?
Yes, yes, of course it was a lie.
Our children come first. Yes?
Our children come first.
They come first.
My collection from our childhood in Normandy.
I carried it with me all throughout Europe.
You remember this one?
And this is my Queen, Gunhild.
Is she not beautiful?
Befitting?
Please.
More food!
- Who else is coming? - Just us.
My son Aethel should have been a king.
He was born to be a king.
But the world has a sense of humour, does it not?
Look at you.
You look like a king, don't you? Oh, yes, you look like one.
Aethel had his father's ferocity, you see, but...
..Edward has his father's face.
But you, William. The strength of my brother is in you. I can see it.
Let this be the beginning of a great alliance.
- You seem very sure. - Because this is our family reunited.
Our blood will be the power of Europe.
This is how your father wanted it to be.
- My crown, in your protection. - My crown.
You were never meant to be King.
But I will be.
Tomorrow.
- To the King. - To the King.
Let her stew.
Tomorrow she'll know.
- They all will, her traitorous kin. - Her kin?
The Godwins. But they'll learn tomorrow.
With you by my side, William, they will learn.
So Normandy as England's muscle.
That's why I was invited.
Exactly.
Our blood alone.
Well, I'm afraid I am no longer built for this hour.
Goodnight.
Do you hear it?
Mother doesn't hear it, but I do.
I hear His comfort.
She doesn't know.
It's the finger of St Swithin.
Really?
He sits in heaven at God's ear.
I speak to him, and then he speaks to God.
And they speak to me.
Move your ship from Dover.
You will thank me, cousin.
Why are you telling me this, Edward?
Because that is my gift to you.
Take heed. Move your ship.
Some bodyguard.
I earn my keep.
This place is rotting with the past.
Henry was right, coming here was a mistake.
I need you to ride back to Dover.
Move our ship south to Pevensey.
We're getting off this inbred rock as soon as the coronation is done.
Fine by me.
I've had it with those fucking monks.
MAN PANTS
Here! Guy of Brionne is here!
Guy of Brionne. Hand or foot?
No!
I have the right to ransom.
It's a simple question - hand or foot?
- Take all four. - Certainly. - Wait! Wait.
HE SCREAMS
CHURCH BELLS TOLL
Siward, Earl of Northumbria.
Earl Siward.
Lady Emma.
Morcar, Earl of Mercia.
- Earl Morcar. - Lady Emma.
All is well?
- Mercia has done very well. - Good.
- I must ask you... - Later.
Godwin, Earl of Wessex.
- Earl Godwin. - My Lady Emma.
My nephew, William of Normandy.
I'm sure you recognise his name.
The scourge of Anjou.
The victor at Val-Es-Dunes.
Europe trembles, Godwin.
I've heard of your victories.
They are without equal.
Lady Emma, where is Gunhild?
I would like to see my sister before the coronation.
The Queen is not attending the ceremony today.
What? Edward is to be crowned, but not my daughter?
Yes. An unfortunate fever, brought on by overexcitement, I believe.
She's still his queen.
She had better be.
I would still like to see her.
Today, the Queen rests.
Edith.
- I'll talk to her. - If this is a lie, they won't let you close.
If it is a lie, they'll let me closer than you.
..of the kingdom, and to put to rights
all injustice and treachery.
Do I need to write it out and hold it up in front of you?
- This is important, Edward. - I know. I know.
- And... - Look.
If the crowd sees the temper of the Godwins for themselves,
- they'll believe whatever might happen in Dover. - I know, I know.
Your Majesty? Time meets us.
I can ask the question in any number of ways, Guy,
but what does Henry think you know?
Shall we try something new?
What does Henry think you know?
POKER SIZZLES, GUY SCREAMS
HE GROANS
Duke Robert!
- Duke Robert? - William's father, Duke Robert? - Murdered.
No, Duke Robert died on the way back from the Holy Land,
- he died of the flux. - Who murdered him?
Who murdered him?
I did.
Why?
Robert wanted to make an alliance with his sister,
Lady Emma.
An alliance between Normandy and England?
It scares Henry to the bone.
Go on.
Henry ordered Robert's murder.
I was his sword...
..but it was Henry.
King Henry ordered the murder himself.
DOOR OPENS
The Duchess Matilda has Guy.
Pity.
Are my troops in place?
On every border of Normandy, Your Majesty, as you requested.
Move in.
Take Normandy.
Find William, and kill him.
Then bring his head right here to me.
For the Queen. It's poultices to break her fever.
You are aware she has a fever?
Edith. I can't believe you're here.
Gunhild.
- What's happening? They told us you were ill. - I know.
It's a lie, Edith. They've lied to us about everything.
Edward will not father an heir with me.
Even the night we married, my bed is dry.
- Harold has to know. - Wait.
There's something else.
Do you swear to forbid robbery and all unrighteous deeds,
promising to enjoin justice and mercy
in all cases brought before you?
I swear to it.
Long live the King!
In league with Mercia?
Lady Emma ordered the attacks herself.
She's trying to provoke Wessex.
They want us to break the peace.
The moment Edward wears the crown, they can do anything they want.
Lady Emma has her own plans for Wessex.
It is God's will
that his kingdom feel the breath of a new wind.
And it is right and proper that we, Edward,
take in hand the affairs of the kingdom
and we put to right all injustice and treachery.
There are those who stand with us...
..and those who do not.
The future of England is established.
And England's heir will bear no blood of Wessex.
Ever.
GASPS FROM THE CROWD
You have the balls to speak of treachery and injustice?
You made me a promise.
You can no longer be trusted, Earl Godwin.
Your roads are rife with violence.
Your people are ready to take up arms.
That is a lie. You know me!
Siward, Morcar, you know me!
Have you got something to say to the King, Sweyn Godwinson?
Yes, I do have something to say, as it happens.
This, all of this, is a disgrace!
It's a fucking disgrace!
Calm down, little boy.
This is no place for your tantrums.
SWEYN ROARS
It seems that Earl Godwin can no longer control his own children,
let alone his own people.
- You will force the earls to war! - No, Godwin.
I will force you to your knees!
England's power is once more where it should be.
In our hands!
Godwin's reign of chaos ends here.
Just look at what you've done to a sacred day.
Normandy!
Normandy.
- What do you know? - Nothing to do with me.
- I'm no part of this. - You're their kin, what do you know?
You owe me from the road.
Why did you risk your life? You don't know me.
Because I was there. What would you have done?
- Not that. It was reckless. - Look, you owe me.
You didn't kneel down to Edward.
What?
I saw you, fighting every inch of the way,
like keeping your eyes open at prayer. Why?
Why should I respect a man just because he wears a crown?
It makes no sense.
Well, it makes sense to a king.
That's because a crown changes the shape of their heads.
Edward told me to move my ship from Dover.
Dover?
Whatever he's got planned, it's happening there.
Dover is ours.
Maybe that's the point.
I owe you nothing more. You and I are done.
Enjoying the feel of that?
It fits well, Mother.
Today was just the beginning.
By the time I'm done with him...
..his family will be finished.
History won't even remember their names.
- Dover? - There's rioting in the streets.
Word has it, it was started by our own people.
It's Mercia, ordered to provoke us by the King and his mother.
They want it to look like Wessex broke the peace.
You gave them the power, Father.
- You put Edward on the throne. - He gave me his promise.
I warned you about Mercia,
but you never listened, not to a word I said.
I need to get to Dover.
Maybe I can still stop this.
ANGRY SHOUTS IN THE DISTANCE
William.
Guy de Brionne talked.
He said he murdered your father in the name of King Henry.
You believe him?
As soon as King Henry heard Guy was talking,
he invaded with an army.
Normandy's lost.
We have to go, William.
They're coming from the east.
It's King Henry's men.
We have to go. Now.