All language subtitles for Elizabeth.I.2005.S01E01.1080p.BluRay.x264.DTS-FGT

By 1589 Elizabeth I was the heroine
and saviour of her country.

The defeat of the Spanish Armada had secured
the English nation and the English Protestant Church.

There was no more talk of her need
to take a husband and produce an heir.

But who would succeed her?

Who would take her extraordinary power for themselves?

We have no need of that.

The look on your face tells the queen

all she needs to know about hers.

The looking glass is banished

from our palace.
That one.

And those.

And that one and that one.

All gone.

This Accession Day is the 30th
since you came to the throne.

Your knights will fight
each other for your favor.

Perhaps he will follow this
by disappearing.

30 years a queen...
26 when she became one.

- That means she is...
- Astonishingly young.

Although not as astonishingly young

as the Earl of Essex, Father.

He's a rising star, gentlemen.
We must learn to live with him.

What precisely are his talents?
I never can remember.

I hear he has very expressive eyes.

After his father died

I was happy to have him in my care,

but I could not say I know him.

I, Sir Eglantine of the Grange,

beg you to desist
from being the champion

of our glorious queen.

I love the Queen more
than you ever will, young man.

Stand aside,
for I am "Sir Greatheart,"

the sweetest knight in all chivalry.

Sir Walter Raleigh's
knightly character

is obviously not based upon his own.

Easy, easy.

Ah, Walsingham's daughter

seems quite an admirer of the earl.

Oh.

Kneel, boy!

Today it is Walter

that wears our favor.

My favor, Sir Walter.

Your Majesty.

I see every fool must have a favor.

I'll call on you, sir,
for your apology.

- Shall I?
- No, no, no.

Dogs must have blood somehow, my lord.

Lady Frances Walsingham
is wearing a very pretty dress.

One would think Sir Francis's daughter

wishes to be the center of attention.

The court of Lady Frances Walsingham.

We could compose anthems in her honor.

Your Majesty...

Come ladies, we are going to watch
the Earl of Essex

at his favorite pastime,
which is trying to kill people,

and Frances, you will walk with me.

Yes, Essex.
That's it.

You look pale, Frances.

Good parry!

Anything the matter?

Whom do you favor,
Sir Walter or Essex?

Guard up!

Do you approve of dueling, Frances?

- It is forbi...
- It is forbidden,

as are so many other things.

Yes!

Well done, sir!
Well done!

Pull his great heart down.

Do you not come out on my side, ma'am?

No, no, no.
You must be checked.

Men like you must be ruled,

as was the Earl
of Leicester in the end.

I am always your servant, ma'am.

Yes...

I do believe you are.

Oh, but you're wounded.

Oh, I must dress your wounds myself.

Come.

If I have offended Your Majesty, I...

I ever loved
a loser, Wal-ter.

Fetch dressings, Frances.
Go on. Run, girl.

We are going to the Earl of Leicester's
apartments, ma'am?

Yes, they're yours now.

You like my present?
You like his rooms?

- Very much!
- Yes.

The Earl of Leicester
had excellent taste.

They're expensively furnished.

You like expensive things
and you have nothing but debts.

Well, go on.
They're yours now.

Everything I have is yours.

Well, let us pretend that it is yours.

It will spice up the act
of crossing the threshold.

Oh, you are looking
at my ankle, Essex.

Well, Your Majesty has
a very well-shaped ankle...

...and a perfect figure.

Yes, well, I have a grateful nation

gnawing at my insides.

- Anne...
- Yes, ma'am.

Sit. We must
bind up your wounds.

We have no need
of you, Dr. Lopez.

Oh, you look like a naughty schoolboy.

Why should you not like
that foolish girl?

I can see that you like her.

- No, she's nothing...
- Nothing compared to me.

I know.

You're very kind, ma'am.

I could be even kinder.

Your Majesty knows
that my love for you...

Is not simply a need for my favor?

How do I know that?

Mmm. Possibly.

You seem sincere enough.

Great things hang on a kiss, Robin,

when princes are involved...

but you'd better kiss me again.

Well, let us hear of your
proposed expedition.

It is not precisely

our proposed expedition, Your Majesty.

Lord Burghley, do not distance yourself
from my displeasure

until you know that I am displeased.

It may be a very good proposition,
for all I know.

Francis...

Portugal is occupied by Spain.

Their exiled King Don Antonio

is therefore, on our side
against the Spanish.

Our thought was that
before the Spanish recover

from the loss of the Armada,
we attempt...

We should attempt to reinstate

our friend Don Antonio
on the throne of Portugal...

- Precisely.
- Send a military expedition?

Uh...

It may be a sound notion.

If we succeeded,
Portugal would be ours

and we would control the Spanish
trade routes to the Americas.

Your Majesty is able

to read the minds of her advisers.

Well, that is not so difficult,

especially since you spend
all of your time trying to read mine.

You have my approval.

Do not inform the Earl of Essex.

If he hears of it, tell him

he is, under no circumstances to go.

What's it going to be?

Ah, six again!

I swear you are playing
with loaded dice, ma'am.

Princes do not cheat at cards.

They simply have the rules altered
to suit their needs.

Ooh, you lose too much.

And you, with so little to lose.

We'll play a new game.

Which is?

"Essex's Folly."

I take all the cards

and you have to take them off me.

How?

- By force, if necessary.
- Oh.

But not too much force.
For you to win

would be... treason.

There is no fun in such a game.

Well, we'll not play it then.

Stand there.

There, like that.

Madam...

I know the hour is early,

but if Your Majesty pleases,
we have need of conversation.

Private conversation.

Affairs of state.

My lord.

You wait for Her Majesty?

I wait for my father, my lord.

I hope he pleads my case
with the queen.

I cannot believe you have
offended her, Sir Robert.

You were always such a good boy.

I was obliged to be,
my lord, by my position.

Answer me this...

when I was your father's ward

and we were growing up together
in Lord Burghley's house,

- was I?
- What, my lord?

It is no matter.

He wishes me to have
a seat on the Council.

Well, well, well...

we grow great.

I have worked for it, my lord.

Yes, yes.
You have. You have.

Well, Robert, you have your place.

What it must be to have a father.

Thank you.
Thank you, Father.

"Happy were he could
finish forth his fate

In some unhaunted desert,
where, obscure

From all society, from love and hate,

Of worldly folk;
Then might he sleep secure;

Then wake again,
and ever give God praise..."

What?

How can I read when you
look at me like that?

How do I look at you?

As if you were deciding

whether or not to eat me.

What do you wish for from me?

For you to be mistress

of what you wish most.

Why then, you wish for my happiness.

And to gain that I would have
to set aside my kingdom.

That being done, who would have me?

I would, Bess.
I would.

You never say what it is
you feel for me.

- You know what it is I feel.
- Do I?

How do I know what you truly feel,
even though you never stop saying...

- I love you.
- There, you've said it again.

Does that make it true?

There is an expedition to Lisbon.

- What expedition is that?
- Is there more than one?

You should have not
even been told of it.

I gave strict orders.
Robin, you're forbidden to go.

Ma'am, I have no money.
I have to go.

I'm so far in debt,
my estates will be sold

to pay them off.
You promise me much, but...

You shall have what you need
when the time comes.

I could profit by the Lisbon
expedition, Bess.

There are Spanish ships
there piled high with Spanish gold.

Do you want a spoiled boy by your side

or would you not have me
prove myself a proper man?

Just be patient.

There's a tax on sweet wines.

I told you, Robin,
you're forbidden to go.

Let's stop our mouths.

No more talk.

You drink too much.

Sweet wine.

Oh...

You're so kind to me.

Shh, shh.

Sleep. Sleep.
Lie there.

Lie there till morning.

Shh.

Sleep.

What I must not say...

is that I love you.

The more I let you go,

the more I seem to have need of you.

And it will not go away,

no matter how much I command it.

Do you think the queen
is mistress of her feelings?

No, she's a fool for love.

A hopeless fool.

"Lisbon"!

Frances! Anne!
Where is he?

- Who, ma'am?
- Essex, you stupid, stupid girl!

Where has he gone?
How could you let this happen?

- We saw nothing, ma'am.
- Call the Master Groom.

Tell him to get to the stables.

On no account is the Earl of Essex
to be allowed to ride out.

Hurry! Or I'll hang
the pair of you.

- Madam, the French Ambassador...
- Can wait.

Well, what shall I tell him, ma'am?

Tell him the queen is looking
for the Earl of Essex.

Madam, it's too late.

The Earl of Essex has already left.

He rode for Falmouth overnight.

He is on his way to Lisbon.

"On his way"?

Did you say...

"his way"?

Madam, had we known, we would have...

"Would have"? I care not
what you would have done,

you traitorous dog!

I'll send you all to the gallows!

You let him get away!

Shh, shh shh...

Oh...

wearisome condition of princes...

laid bare for all the world to see.

One word of this, and you die.

You hear me?

Well, there's work to be done.

"Wading ashore in his armor,

the earl was the first
to engage the enemy.

Indeed, he rode unaided
to the gates of Lisbon

where he drove his pike into the wood

and challenged anyone who doubted

your wisdom
and beauty to a duel."

Well, did anyone emerge
to take up the challenge?

I imagine not, Your Majesty.

No, even a conversation
with the Earl of Essex

can be an alarming business.

It was not all in all, Your Majesty...

though the earl's behavior
must be applauded...

a profitable enterprise.

Little of substance was achieved.

Lisbon was not taken.

Indeed.

But he's apologized
for his disobedience

and he promises me
he'll be home within the month.

We've forgiven him.
He is dear to us.

And brave, it seems.

Brave indeed, to have defied
Your Majesty so obviously.

Brave young men are
to be encouraged, pygmy.

Welcome to the Council, my boy.

We are most happy
to greet the Earl of Essex

on this his return from Portugal.

Its end was glorious

and nothing so becomes it

as this, the welcome home of Essex,

champion of our liberties,
our marvelous boy!

Robin!

A great and public day, Your Majesty.

Is it ever permitted for a subject

to hurl themselves
into the queen's arms?

In private, it is sometimes
actively encouraged.

Then I am forgiven?

When you are in my presence,
all is forgiven.

Eyes on me, Robin.
Eyes on me.

And Frances, also eyes on me.

Welcome back, my lord.

Close the door, Robin.

Do I seem old to you?

Spare me
"You're old only in years."

You do not seem old to me.

You have every appearance
of sincerity.

What do I have to do
to show you that I'm serious?

What do you think you have to do?

You may proceed.

I have promised you much,
Robin, and you shall have...

What shall I have?

The tax on sweet wines.

Ten percent of every barrel sold
is yours. It's worth a fortune.

- Bess, Bess Bess.
- You shall be rich, Robin,

and you will not need to go to war.

- Dinner.
- Yes.

While I was away,
I thought of you each day.

And now I'm home,
I seek to prove my worth again.

Oh, my ladies love to look at you.

Well, I do not charge
for the spectacle.

"Blue eyes," why so serious?

I think a deal upon affairs
of state, ma'am,

and if I had some office, why...

And what office might that be, Robin?

A seat upon the Council.

Your Majesty...

What now, Dr. Lopez?
We were expecting dinner.

I bring your syrup, ma'am, as always.

Ugh.

- Your Majesty is well?
- Is it not your task

to tell me whether I am or no?

We purpose to outlive
our doctor, Lopez.

Yes, ma'am.

Matters of state require the drudgery

of being both honest
and accommodating.

Are you accommodating, Robin?

I can be.

I have as good a wit
as either of the Cecils.

I could serve you.

Oh, you shall have
your seat on the Council.

Oh, Bess!

What a boy!

I will make you proud.

- I esteem both...
- The Earl of Essex

has his seat on the Council.

The Council?!

She can refuse him nothing.

If, as I think, he has an interest
in my daughter,

it may be that Her Majesty
will tire of him.

I mean no disrespect, Francis,
but why should the Earl of Essex

even consider marrying your daughter

when he thinks he may be married
to the Queen of England?

The queen will never marry him.

Not even the earl
would dream of such a thing.

Let one subject raise himself up so

and there would be blood, gentlemen...

blood as we've not seen
these 40 years.

You ask us why we must ask you
once again for money.

Like any housewife to her husband,

I am loathe to beg...

but we do need subsidy.

And what is it for?

It is not that we plan for war.

It is the fighting of wars long gone

and the failure of the harvests
that eat away at England.

Not that war will ever
go away, gentlemen.

Nor will the Spanish.

And will the Crown's demand
for money ever go away, ma'am?

Time is the enemy of power

and this our kingdom,

aged but un-aging
in its glory,

wears out the fortune
and the strength of we who serve it.

And when the weight
of care oppresses us, we...

- Look to the queen!
- Burghley!

Guard!

Ladies!

Stand aside!
Stand aside!

Stand back.
Give her some air.

Leave her to the ladies.
Ladies!

Take her through to the privy chamber.

Full alarms.
Close the doors.

Doctor...

Dr. Lopez!

What do you say
to my breath now, Doctor?

Is it as sweet as the Azores?

Sweeter, ma'am.

I can't imagine the cause.

I feel quite well.

My legs still seem to work.

I shall die at a time of my own
choosing, Doctor, and not before.

There are those who would
choose it for you, madam.

Who are they?

Is poison suspected?

- The Spanish.
- We cannot say...

with certainty.

No.

Sir Francis Bacon, my lord.

I have the misfortune to be
Lord Burghley's nephew.

Oh.
That's a misfortune?

Well, he offers me no employment.

Well, this is the place to look

for employment, for the queen is here.

- Indeed.
- No, no, no.

But does she trust those she should

or does she only listen to my uncle?

That's true enough, Sir Francis.

I sit on the Council and no one
listens to a word I say.

Your uncle fawns well, does he not?

The rising unto place is laborious,

but by indignities
men come to dignities.

He flatters her is all, Sir Francis.

Compliments do not seem
to advance my career

any faster than yours, my lord.

I wrote the queen a poem

complimenting her upon her breasts,

in Latin,

and still I am without a position.

We are ignored,

and in times like this,

with talk of plots.

Suspicions are like bats...

they ever fly by twilight.

I have intelligences
working for me now.

Not quite the number

as in Walsingham's service,

but they tell me things,

things that could make you grow

in Her Majesty's esteem.

They tell me who
has plotted on her life.

Let us proceed to the question

of the Attorney Generalship.

While I hesitate

to lay my recommendations
before Your Majesty,

I feel this is the right time...

Your Majesty,

I have uncovered a conspiracy

here at home against your person.

This morning I have arrested
your physician, Dr. Lopez.

What?

Your Majesty, I am afraid
it is beyond question

that this man is a traitor
in the pay of Spain.

- What?
- I am an innocent man.

What is God's name
is this foolishness?

No foolishness, sir.

The proof is in these papers...

signed confessions
from the doctor's associates

that bear witness to the truth
that your sudden illness

here at the court but two
weeks ago was no accident.

It was an attempt to poison you.

Your Majesty, this is
some game of his lordship.

Dr. Lopez is a loyal servant

both to you and to the Crown.

Your Majesty, I beg you...

You rash youth!

Do but consider this evidence.

Your Majesty, this is absurd.

Whom am I to believe?

These confessions seem real enough.

His lordship has made earnest
of his convictions.

Yes, Your Majesty,
but what other proof is there?

What further proof is needed, ma'am?

Your Majesty, this is a very
serious business and I must object...

Shall we have no more of this feuding?

How may I act when all present me

with their partial arguments?

We are resolved...

His lordship acts
out of feelings for our safety.

Take him away.

Your Majesty,
I am your most loyal servant,

your most loyal servant...

I am a loyal, loyal subject,

a victim of plots

and conspiracies

by those high in government.

- Filthy Jew!
- I am a Christian.

If he's a Christian, I'm an old Jew
and this is my gabardine.

This is the invention

of the Earl of Essex

and his friends!

- Hang him!
- Hang him! Hang him!

He has accused me for his own profit

and his own...

- Draw him!
- Draw him! Draw him!

Draw him! Draw him!

Southampton says
we must have something for Francis.

Oh, your lordship is too kind.

A rare triumph for Essex's boys!

Her Majesty smiles upon me again.

I shall demand something...
Warden of the Slashed Doublet and Ruff

with Extraordinary Hose.

Yes, but for Francis, Southampton.

Master of the Cinque Ports?

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster?

Keeper of Her Majesty's Pageboys?

Well, Robin.
You do look handsome this morning.

Your Majesty,
I meant to impress everyone

with my dignity of dress.

Bacon, people who compliment me

on my breasts, even in Latin,

run the risk of being
thought impertinent.

We understand he is fond
of the company of pretty youths.

No wonder he is
the member for Middlesex.

And I say, sirs, that there can be

no possibility of peace with Spain.

They themselves admit
there can be no faith with heretics.

You breathe war,

slaughter and blood, my lord.

"The bloody and deceitful men

shall not live out
half their days."

Oh, in God's name leave the boy alone.

Has he offended so much, gentlemen?

At least our new recruit
speaks his mind.

I thank you for your support, ma'am.

I crave Your Majesty's pardon.

It may be we have been
disturbed by new evidence

which has come to light
in relation to Doctor Lopez.

It seems, ma'am,
the earl's confessions

were extracted under torture.

What of it?

On the rack, my lord,
men may speak anything.

Our evidence suggests
the only clear proof of the doctor's guilt

are those most tainted confessions.

Is this true?

Well, yes, ma'am.
I racked his associates

and they confessed in detail

- to the doctor's plan...
- Leave us.

Leave us now!

As Your Majesty pleases.

The Earl of Essex will remain.

I have offended you.

This was a man's life, Robin.

Are we playing at cards here

or making judgments
that affect the nation?

I sought only to serve you, ma'am.

You act without thinking!
That is not service.

We will make restitution to his widow.

You may go.

If thought inhibit action,
then I'll not think again.

I cannot deny it,

for I would act for you,
for you and you alone.

If you were in danger,
I would be there.

And if some politician
should talk against you,

then I will be there
to be your champion.

If I have offended you,

then I beg forgiveness,

for without that I am nothing...

Oh, enough, enough.

You are forgiven.

May I raise the question
of the Attorney Generalship?

Is that not a question
for the Council, your lordship?

I would like to suggest Francis Bacon.

Why...

would you suppose

I would accede to such a request?

Oh...

oh, what am I to do with you?

What am I to do with you?

Your Majesty plays
with great sweetness.

Do you bring me music, pygmy?

Would that it were, ma'am.

It is a pamphlet, ma'am.

It seems to suggest

the Earl of Essex
should be your successor.

It is rather well written.

Damn your insolence, sir!

Fine paper, bound carefully.

The person who printed it
must be wealthy, ma'am.

- Send for the Earl of Essex.
- If I may say...

You have no liking for him, pygmy.
That's obvious.

I have a high regard

for his good qualities,

even though those may not always be

as much in evidence as they should be.

Go on, pygmy.

It may be that Your Majesty's

understandable fondness

for his enthusiasm and
courage for your cause

creates a climate in the Council

which does not always...

I pet him too much.

Well, he is a pretty boy.

I am sure he is unaware
of this foolishness.

Madam, I am distressed
to learn from Robert Cecil

that you might think I was
the author of that vile pamphlet.

You harbor no ambitions
in that direction?

If I did, would I be so foolish
as to commit them to paper?

Oh, you are fool enough
for anything, Robin.

But perhaps not this.

But you must understand,
there is speculation about you and I...

gossip...

jealousy and faction
even in the Council,

and it may be that my favor to you
is the cause of it.

Never forget that government is
my sacred trust, Robin.

You know I would never...

And yet my heart still rises in me

when I walk into a room
and you are there...

oh, and these poor feelings
clamor to be heard.

I hear them, Bess.

Well, I never let them see it.

But I do grow old,

as do those who are
long in service to me.

Come here.

Oh...

- Madam...
- Sir Francis.

It is a matter of urgency, madam.

You'd best leave us, Robin.

It might be better
if his Lordship stayed

since it concerns him.

Oh, how so?

My daughter Frances

is with child by the Earl of Essex

and I would seek
to know his intentions.

She's with...

She's with...

You treacherous villain, you!

You villain!
You villain! You!

You villain!

I think the earl intends
an apology, madam.

Indeed.
He is in mourning

for the loss of our favor.

And as might be expected,
the apology is

on a far grander scale
than the offense.

He looks well dead, does he not?

None of us can escape it, madam.

Francis, we hear you are not well.

To tell you truthfully, madam,

it is not thought that
I shall live out the year.

This cannot be.

I'm afraid it can, Your Majesty.

We must look to what comes after.

King James of Scotland?

Is that to be discussed?

I feel we have worn you out.

I have laid down my life

for the Protestant cause, madam,

and I have done it gladly.

Ah, the happy couple!

Oh, why such long faces?

- We did not seek...
- To be happy, ma'am.

Hmm. Happy.

Her father has asked you
your intentions.

Well, I will tell you
your intensions, sir.

You shall marry her
and you will be happy.

I...

We must all marry, Robin,
or so I'm told,

but such a thing was not in prospect

where you and I
were concerned, was it?

The love I felt
for Your Majesty was...

But a marriage was never in question.

Did you think to be King, Robin?

Did you?

I sought your love.

Oh, all seek attendance on the Queen.

She has no shortage of suitors

and little inclination
to play the housewife.

So what could be
more satisfactory than this...

arrangement?

And you, Frances,

would you have your husband have
the Sovereign's love?

'Tis my dearest wish, Your Majesty.

You may leave us, Frances.

Do you have no words, sir?

No, you have no need of words.

Your Majesty knows
the secrets of my heart.

Hmm.

I'm damned if I do, sir.

But it seems you must be married.

Oh, pretty, pretty...

boy.

We've heard that some persons at Court

may have been writing letters to...

King James of Scotland, ma'am.

Why, we must have been
listening at the same door.

Of course, the mere idea of that boy

succeeding to my throne is absurd,

but if some fool
should take it upon himself

to make the idea public,

then we will have
any number of other fools

keen to implement it
as soon as possible.

"Out with the old woman

and bring on
the dribbling idiot."

Perhaps both descriptions
are a little harsh, ma'am.

We grow less tolerant, pygmy.

We are alone too much.

Walsingham died.

Yes, ma'am.

Of course, I never cared
much for the man, but...

"But," ma'am?

For the moment, you and your father

can fulfill his responsibilities.

I am happy to relieve Your Majesty

of some of this great burden

of government business.

They say your marriage is a happy one.

I am blessed in my wife, ma'am.

She...

she sees past...

Then there is hope
for the world still.

Who is it?

Your Majesty?

Who has been writing these letters?

I would not like to...

Accuse anyone of treason?

Some nobleman

with dreams of greatness?

I'm a great admirer

of the English aristocracy, ma'am,

but some of them seek to fly so high.

Like Icarus, they may approach the sun

of Your Majesty's favor too closely

and burn their wings.

Hmm.

It's hard to believe,
but that creature in the hat

is the King of Scotland.

No one must hear of this,
Master Secretary.

Do you understand?

We understand each other
very well, ma'am.

My only wish, apart from to beg of you
your kindness as always

and to ask for an increase
in the pension

- which you have so kindly allotted to me...
- No.

...is to beg you
for some clear statement

as to my surely undoubted right

to succeed you on the English throne.

"Undoubted"?

"Undoubted"!

Your letter assures me
you will not be prejudicial to my cause.

I have come to instruct you

to be less pleasant
to your Catholic nobility

and to ensure
you do not make overtures

to any nobles of our court.

Overtures, ma'am?
What overtures?

I have little knowledge
of the English court.

Well, then you'll have to acquire some

if you dream of ruling over it.

It ill becomes me
to strive with a lady, but...

The fame of our nobility
has reached even

as far as Scotland, I imagine.

Our poor country is so far
from the bright lights.

We go to bed early and have
little informed conversation.

Not even the Earl of Essex
is talked of?

I have heard his name of course.

I have been told he is a very...

handsome lad.

I've heard many tales
of the handsome lads of London.

Your Majesty.

Here is a messenger from the very place.
You will excuse me.

Tell me, how is it to be
ruled by a woman, my lord?

I like it well, Your Majesty.

She grows old.

As do we all.

And the Earl of Essex?

Was ever kind to me, Your Majesty.

When I am King,

I shall have handsome
young men around me

and we shall use women

as dogs do bitches...

for our pleasure and their profit.

I'm sure she called that fellow over

so that she can watch us
at her leisure.

Carefully now.

On my life, ma'am,

I swear I have written no letters

to King James of Scotland.

So you never think of the succession?

Why do you no longer trust me, Bess?

Who is it that has come between us?

Only the rest of the world,

poor foolish boy.

If I ever talked of the succession...

God forbid that a day should come

when England no longer
has you to guide them...

Hmm.

then I did it to your face,

unlike some others.

At the end,
Leicester and I were friends.

I would hold you close
to me in friendship.

When love is changed to kindliness,

then I'll none of it.

If you seek a life in politics, Robin,

you'll have to learn
to be a politician.

The same name,

but not the same.

I loved the Earl of Leicester well.

And like him, you love to go to war,

and since you love to fight
my quarrels for me,

we offer you command of the army.

The Spanish have attacked Calais

and we intend to respond
by taking Cadiz.

Bess!

Oh, what a boy it is still.

What a boy.

The greatest command
of his Lordship's career, ma'am.

Indeed.

You have no doubts?

He'll join the fleet and sail
for Cadiz tomorrow.

Let us pray Philip's
new Armada is ill-prepared.

God bless Her Majesty!

And damnation to the King of Spain!

God save the Queen!

The Queen! The Queen!
The Queen!

I think this is probably the end

of peace negotiations, Your Majesty.

Let us fervently hope
for the success of His Lordship.

I can't believe you actually
mean that, pygmy.

I think what the boy means is...

I never know what the boy means.

I never know what any of you mean,

but I've not ruled England
these many years

to be taken for more
of a fool than I am.

All's faction now in England

and you wish for nothing
but the failure of our friends.

Well, I think we've waved enough.
Let us go in.

We declare today a public holiday

on account of the great victory

won over the Spanish at Cadiz

by his Grace, the Earl of Essex.

"If ever a man desired to see

an image of hell," it has been said,

it was at the battle of Cadiz
most lively figured.

And our own Earl of Essex

fought most valiantly.

The Earl's carriage
throughout the engagement

was marked to be most manly...

Thank you, ma'am.

The sermon is not
to Her Majesty's taste.

Oh, I think she has little patience

for compliments not directed at her.

You see?

I'm in danger of outshining
the Queen's Majesty.

Oh my lord, I would
beg you to be careful.

One would think the Earl
sacked Cadiz on his own, ma'am.

He came, he killed,
he returned home to celebrate.

His Lordship wants war,
but wars must be paid for,

and so our people suffer.

And now there is bad news
from Ireland, ma'am.

A Catholic country on our doorstep...

we shall have war there next.

Speak Irish, pygmy?

- No, Your Majesty.
- No. No one does.

Would you like to be
Lord Deputy of Ireland?

- No, Your Majesty.
- No.

Maybe we could send the Earl of Essex.

Your Lordship must
dine with us tonight.

If the people will let me, Bess.

My person is not my own.

Come, my lord.
The people need you.

The Archbishop ordered
a day of celebrations

for my victory
across the entire kingdom.

Why did you restrict them
to London, Bess?

The love that people
have for me is so strong.

You...

you have not kissed me yet.

I did not presume...

Presume. Presume.

There. Does that surprise
you, my lord,

that an old woman should have

such lusts of the flesh?

You're not old, Bess.

Maybe not, maybe not.

You know how I still feel for you.

Perhaps I do.

Yes.

Yes, of course I do.

It's just that I...

well, I lack the assurance of youth.
I question everything.

And how is married life?

You should take it seriously.

It is a very sweet and serious thing
to be married.

Oh...

is that why you've never
undertaken it, ma'am?

You surprise me, my lord.
I never took you for one

who expected women to be
consistent in their attitudes.

What did you expect... for me
to fall upon your neck in gratitude

for 50,000 pounds lost
and no hope of return,

the jewels you brought back
lost or stolen or embezzled?

- I wish...
- You wish, you wish, you wish.

Do you wish to be
Lord Deputy of Ireland, Robin?

I hardly know how to respond, ma'am.

That's obvious.

Nobody wishes to be
Lord Deputy of Ireland.

Isn't it curious
how time brings in changes?

Once upon a time we'd walk
in those gardens down there

and pay each other compliments,

say the sweetest things.

- And now...
- What now?

Now all I can talk about
is the war in Ireland

and all you can talk about
is yourself.

I think what you should
do now, Robin, is leave.

Yes, ma'am.

Of course.

So who is to be?

Who is to undertake
the governance of the Irish,

since the Irish do not
seem to want to do so?

I'm told the climate is mild enough

and there are people who have
spoken well of the whiskey.

Do not be so bashful, gentlemen.

They may not break out
into open rebellion.

They may do it quietly,
without informing us.

It doesn't always rain there.

And they're not savages.
Well, not all of them anyhow.

Why are you all studying
the table so closely?

- In my view, ma'am...
- Yes, my lord.

...Lord Burghley's son
would make

an admirable ruler of that country.

Indeed?

Yes indeed, ma'am.
Yes, his great powers of statesmanship,

his eloquence and
his application would all...

Oh, you are pleased to joke, Robin.

No, ma'am, I'm doing no such thing.

I think you are.

I think that I am not.

You spoiled and foolish child!

I will not suffer one more day
of your insolence!

Take your hands off me!

I would not endure an insult
of that nature from any man,

and that a woman should
think she could do so...

You are speaking
to the Queen of England, sir!

I tell you, I would not have suffered it
from your father's hands.

Have you any idea what you are doing?

Yes, I have a very good idea, old man.

You dare to question my authority?

What,

cannot princes err?

Cannot subjects receive wrong?

Is an earthly power
or authority infinite?

Pardon me.
Pardon me, madam,

but I can never subscribe
myself to those principles!

Then it is hard to know why you
remain at Court, sir.

Well, gentlemen, I think

we have found
the right man for Ireland.

He would certainly
blend in well, ma'am.

When deprived of our favor
for long enough,

he will soon come to heel.

My dogs wear my collars, sirs,

and let no one at this table
ever forget that fact.

With the exception of Lord Burghley,

who is under strict orders
to get better.

You're not well, old friend.

Your poor hands,

worn out with writing.

Writing and gout, madam...
my closet friends.

Your brother is much
affected, as are we all.

This was no common funeral.

The whole world mourns your father.

He resides in a better place.

I see the Earl of Essex
has finally made an appearance.

What a deal my silence can do.

He was my father's ward, Your Majesty.

- We grew up together.
- Oh yes, of course.

What kind of a boy was he?

So graceful, quick as sports...

loved by all.

And cruel to you?

As only boys will be

when there were none to see.

I was his pastime.

Turn around so I may see your face.

Tears, Robin, tears.

I wonder for whom you shed them.

I know how you loved Lord Burghley

and when I was his ward
he was ever kind to me.

That was a long time ago, Robin.

I want to serve you.

But you want to do
glorious things in my service.

Well, I can offer you that.

I can offer you great glory, Robin.

There is open rebellion in Ireland
and along with the governorship,

I can offer you a great army
to bring the Irish to heel.

Oh, Your Majesty shows
great faith in me.

It is impossible to govern
unless we trust those whom we rule.

See, there are those
who tell me not to trust you.

And I know that one day you may come

within a hair's breadth
of betraying me.

Your Majesty, Bess, I beg you...

You will come as close to treachery

as a snake to the ground.

But I also know that you will never
betray your country.

Since your country is none other

than this poor self of mine

and you have loved me
as men will love women...

blindly, without counting the cost,

not thinking what they do...

so you're mine, poor boy.

You're all mine.

Rise.

You may go to Ireland on our behalf.

I ever loved you, Robin.

Take this ring as a testament to it.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Secretary...

is there no news from Ireland?

But little, ma'am.

The Earl is there near six months.

Yes, we know that.
And?

- He has upwards of 16,000 men.
- Yes?

He has...

What?

he has knighted many of his followers.

Oh, God in heaven!

And yet he seems unwilling

to engage the Earl of Tyrone, ma'am.

What does he think to do?

Why does he not move into Ulster now?

And we have so commanded him.

We have heard that there is
sickness amongst his soldiers

and we do fear for him,

but why does he not shake and sway

the branches of resistance now?

We think the Earl of Tyrone

may expect a force from Spain,
Your Majesty.

What are Essex's intentions?

What's his army for, pygmy?

Is he...

I ask this with fear in my heart...

is he still loyal to us?

There is no way of knowing, ma'am.

- Let me pass.
- My lord!

- Let me pass!
- What is this noise?

I will see her.
Where is the Queen?

Your Majesty.
Hold still, Your Majesty.

- Where is the Queen?
- My cap.

Bess! Bess!

Robin...

What's the matter?
Why are you...

I rode all night to be here.
They would not let me pass.

What has happened?
Is anyone with you?

- I knew you were angry with me.
- No.

- No one is angry with you.
- Tyrone is no fool, ma'am.

My men rode after him,
but they would not fight.

Shh, shh.
You must rest.

They came at night
and they killed men in their sleep.

You're with me now.
You're with me.

Shh shh shh.
Sit. Sit.

Rest.

I made a truce, ma'am.

I made a truce
with the Earl of Tyrone.

Oh, you poor boy.

Well, you must tell me everything,

but first you must rest.

How can I rest when you are
the victim of false counsel?

Bess, Cecil works against me.
I swear it, Bess,

and you listen to him.
He works against us.

He writes to King James of Scotland...

I have it on good authority...

securing himself with your successor.

Don't think about the Secretary.

Don't think about the little pygmy.

- You understand, don't you?
- Yes.

- You understand I had no choice?
- Yes, I understand.

Shh. Shh.

You must sleep.

Sleep and then we'll talk.

Sleep.

Do you love me?

Of course.

- Dorothy, see to the Earl.
- Yes, Your Majesty.

Let me help you with these, sir.

Your Majesty, do you want..?

- Ma'am.
- The Earl has deserted his command.

He seeks our approval.

He has concluded some sort
of truce with Tyrone

on his own initiative.

- How many men has he?
- Only a handful.

Sir, are you sure the army

- is still in Ireland?
- As far as I know, ma'am.

That he should do this to me

by whom he had so many favors.

When he is awake and dressed,
call him to our presence.

May I withdraw when he comes to you,
ma'am, with your permission?

No, you do not have my permission.

You can stay and watch
your little friend.

Time to find out who is with us
and who is against us.

Cecil.

Thank you, again, my dear.

Whispering to your mistress, pygmy?

The world will think
you are sharing secrets.

I did not expect so many

to be present at our meeting, Bess.

Sometimes it is advisable

to have witnesses
to conversations, my lord.

- Why so cold, ma'am?
- The charges against the Earl of Essex

are as follows: that he has been
contemptuously disobedient

to Her Majesty's instructions
by returning to England;

- that on several...
- Stay a moment, sir.

Is this a trial?

Have... have I done
something

to offend Your Majesty?

You have come unannounced
into my chamber.

You have returned from your commission
with no victories gained

and no peace imposed
upon the territories in Ireland.

You have had private conversation

with the notorious traitor Tyrone

whose submission or death are
the only things we require of him.

You have made free with our person.

You have thought to touch
the scepter of a prince,

which is a thing
not commendable in you.

I have come here only
seeking your help and support

in return for the great services
I have offered you.

Take him under guard to Essex House.

The Earl is to be confined there

- until our pleasure dictates otherwise.
- Guards.

Bess. Bess.

Bess, Bess, Bess,
You said that you loved me!

I ever loved you well
and ever did you service,

but I no longer recognize
the thing I loved!

Love alters when it alterations finds.

- You said you could never...
- I said, I said.

I said more than I should, perhaps.

But government of the tongue

is not a science you ever
learned well, my lord.

I am amazed to see you
in this company, Francis.

The way to great office
is by a winding stair.

Get him out of my sight!

And now what are we to do
with the Earl of Essex, eh?

What is heaven's name
are we to do with him now?

Is the army loyal to us?

Mountjoy, the Earl's man,
has the army,

even if he is still in Ireland.

But the Earl still has
powerful friends here.

Unfortunately for him,

they no longer include
you and me. Eh, pygmy?

So...

we may proceed to trial?

No. No, for the moment
we do nothing.

We wait.

We must be seen to treat him well.

Relax the guard on him...

how loyal is he?

Very well.

Oh, my dear Frances!

Are you in mourning
for your husband's reputation?

I wear your colors, ma'am.

You were always a good girl, Frances.

As I love him, Your Majesty,
I wish him to love you.

So...

- How does the Earl?
- Not well, Your Majesty.

Oh, we are sorry to hear that.

I do believe that, ma'am.

- He should have company.
- He should.

Tell me, has he heard
from Mountjoy from Ireland?

Letters passed between them,

but my lord has not heard
from Ireland of late.

Oh, that's a shame.

But perhaps it's not good
for him to be in touch

with those with military
responsibilities.

I am sure he means to be
a loyal servant to Your Majesty.

Oh yes, I'm sure.

Has he heard from King James of late?
From Scotland?

You can tell me, Frances.

We know he had dealings
with him from before.

If we are to prevent him being
a danger to himself,

we must know these things.

You know, I speak out of love
for him, Frances.

The Earl carries a black bag
around his neck.

He never takes it off.

I believe they are
letters from Scotland.

Scotland!
Letters from Scotland, I knew it!

- The man's a traitor.
- Ma'am.

Mountjoy will not move
the Irish army to assist him,

so he waits for the King of Scotland.

Well, he's going to wait a long time
for that young man.

What are Your Majesty's wishes?

To force him into action.

Since he is not ready,
unreadiness is all.

He's fool enough.

Send someone to the Earl of Essex.

Tell him we require him at Council.

Would you wish me to go, ma'am?

No.

No, pygmy.

Send Sir Francis Bacon.
He's a persuasive enough fellow.

Keep Lady Essex here
until it is all over.

Ma'am.

Well, little Bacon...

and what, sir,

I wonder, are you about, hmm?

Her Majesty requires your presence
at the Council.

And I am sure
to be there, Sir Francis,

but at the moment I am
all of a sweat after playing tennis.

And the court is no place
for a sweaty man.

She requires it at once, my lord

and her conditions...

Her conditions!

Her conditions are
as crooked as her carcass!

I command you all
to put down your weapons

and to depart

to show your allegiance to the Queen

But we will not do so.

Take him to the hall
and keep him there until we return.

Treason, my lords!
Rebellion!

The Queen has had her mind poisoned

by evil counselors, my lords.

Robert Cecil.
Robert Cecil will sell us to Spain.

Let's die before we let him.

To court!

...for was not Lucifer
cast out for just that sin?

To the court!
To the Queen!

There is a plot laid for my life.

Sir Robert Cecil is
a traitor to this country.

Who will join us to get rid of him?

You promised us the Sheriff of the City,
my lord. I do not see him.

- He will come out for us.
- Soon, I hope.

We must hang together
or we shall hang separately

for the people are not with us.

To the court!
There is a plot laid for my life.

- Your Majesty...
- There's a noise below.

Is there some fray in Fleet Street?

Ma'am...

Ma'am, there is great danger.

Do you have no confidence
in your queen, pygmy?

Justice!
Justice!

Justice!

Justice?

We do not seek to fight.

All we seek is the removal of certain
counselors of yours

who have worked against
those of us who really love you.

Justice!

You do not come to seek justice.

You come to decide which of us

shall rule this kingdom...
you or I,

and I tell you, Essex,
it is I who rule.

- Do your work, Sir Thomas.
- Ma'am.

Fire!

Return fire!

Return fire!

Forward!
Boy...

Return fire!

Murderers!

Reload!

Retreat!

- My lord.
- Barricade those doors!

Where are the hostages?

It seems they were let go, my lord.

- Burn these letters from King James.
- No.

Burn them now.
Burn everything!

In the name of the Queen, open up!

To the river!

Which way now, my lord?

All is lost.

We are dead men.

Halt! Halt!

What of the mad ungrateful wretch?

He is captured, ma'am.

Hah.

I swear before God,

that I bear a true heart
to Her Majesty.

I was in fear of my life
from my enemies.

My lord, you remind me of the Athenian

who cut himself and then cried murder.

Was it to defend yourself
that you imprisoned me

and those whom the Queen sent to you
to call you to your senses?

Oh, Sir Francis,
whom I ever served well

and to whom I gave my love freely,

have you served your Queen
so faithfully?

Have you not lied

and pretended friendship to me

and deceived her
as to your loyalty that...

I loved you,

my lord,

as long as you continued
a dutiful subject.

And I have spent more hours

to make you a good subject
to Her Majesty

than ever I did about my own business.

Which has of late been to crawl

upon your hands and knees
to Robert Cecil.

And Robert Cecil

is in the pay of Spain.

My Lord of Essex...

the difference between
you and me is great.

For wit, I give you the preeminence.

You have it abundantly.

I thank you.
Have you come to apologize?

For nobility also I give you place.

I am not noble, though a gentleman.

I am no swordsman,
but I have innocence, conscience,

truth and honesty to defend me.

You have a wolf's head
in a sheep's clothing, sir.

Oh, Master Secretary,

I thank God for my humiliation

that you are come here
in the ruff of all your bravery

to make your oration against me today.

Who says I am in the pay of Spain?

Name your authority.

Or is this some new fantasy of yours?

Why, that is easy answered.
He stands next to me.

The Earl of Southampton told me

that he knew it for a fact.

I am sorry for it, my lord, but I...

I... I...

Did not you say that?

I did not, my lord,

and you know it is not so.

I never said

that the Secretary
was in the pay of Spain.

Then I am damned, my lord,

and you with me.

- Guilty.
- Guilty.

Guilty.

- Guilty.
- Guilty.

You have been pronounced
guilty of treason.

And you will suffer the punishment

of traitors...

which is death.

No! No!

I swear upon mine honor,
I never meant any harm to Her Majesty.

And if I have been led astray,

then I humbly beg your pardon,

but I am no traitor, sirs.

My lord, you know I ever loved
the Queen and I told you so.

So be it, my lords.

While I would not have it thought

that I despised
the Queen's clemency...

I would not make any cringing
submission to obtain it.

There is also the question
of monopolies, ma'am.

Just as some thought the Earl of Essex

abused his privilege of the ownership

of the tax of sweet wines,

so now some of the Parliament see

the profits of many
in the hands of too few,

and...

Your Majesty?

The Queen cannot be safe
while I live...

and I do humbly ask her pardon.

I give her thanks
that she has moderated

the terrible sentence of treason,

but I do solemnly swear
that the four quarters of my body

are hers,

were always hers,

and I do yield them
up to her with a glad heart.

I ask forgiveness of my sins...

which are numbered
as the hairs on my head...

and most especially

this last,

this great

and infectious sin of mine...

rebellion...

against her whom I swear

I did always love with all my heart.

"Our Father, Who art in heaven,

hallowed be Thy name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will...
Thy..."

Executioner, strike home.

Put his lapdog, little Southampton,
in the Tower.

No more blood.
Please, God, no more blood.

I will spare the others where I can.

Send me their names.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You knew what it was
to love him too, I think.

I think I did, Your Majesty.

Well, you may go, little pygmy.

I mean no harm by the name.

It's but my humor.

Yes, Your Majesty.

"Her conditions were
as crooked as her carcass."

Well, well, well.

You may leave us now.

He had sent you this ring

and these verses.

"My prime of youth
is but a frost of cares,

My feast of joy is but a dish of pain,

My cup of corn
is but a field of tares,

And all my good
is but vain hope of gain.

The day is gone and yet I saw no sun,

And now I live,

And now my life is done."

Why so many glum faces?

Are my people out of love with me?

Money is all, ma'am.

Many in the House speak
against the monopolies

you grant the traders.

They say only a few are favored.

Taxes were granted
to the Earl of Essex

which should not have been granted.

The enemy of monarchs
is the overmighty subject.

If this poor old wife
before you has offended

by granting profits to the few
and not to the general number,

then let us have an end to that.
Let us be one.

I do assure you there is no prince

who better loves his subjects

nor whose love
can countervail our own.

There is no jewel, be it
of never so rich a price,

which I set above this jewel.

I mean, your loves.

For I esteem it

more than any treasure or riches...

for that we know how to prize,

but love and thanks
we count invaluable.

And though God hath raised me high,

yet this I count
the glory of my crown...

that I have reigned with your loves.

- God save the Queen!
- God save the Queen!

God save the Queen!
God save the Queen!

Well?

The doctors can find
no cause of it, sir.

Is Your Majesty in pain?

Is the sickness in your side or..?

I'm not so sick as some would have me.

Bring me a mirror.

Bring me a mirror.

There was a man once...

Does Your Majesty mean
the Earl of Essex?

Does Your Majesty mean
the Earl of Leicester?

The hardest thing to govern

is the heart.

Raise me up.

Your Majesty must rest.

Your Majesty, please consider.

Leave me.

Go.

She has stood like that
about 15 hours now, sir,

never once talking.

How long since she has eaten?

It is three weeks since she has eaten.

Go to. Go to.

Your Majesty?

Well...

you are to tell me to take to my bed.

If you saw such things in your bed

as I see in mine,

you would not go there.

Ma'am, you must...

Must?

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

Mmm.

Out. Out.

That man...

whoever he was...

Fetch me a priest, girl.

I'm minded to die.