Original subtitles

- Hello, Caris. - Hello, Bill.

- Here. Have an apple, love. - Thank you.

Caris. Caris.

- Have you spoken to your father? - About what?

Is it true? Has the old King been murdered?

There's a rumour around the market. I don't want to believe it.

But if I heard it from the head of the Guild...

Father doesn't trade in rumours much.

Sorry.

Hello, Mary. Hello, Caris,

- Mattie. - Caris.

Mother's got her headaches again.

Don't worry. I'll make a yarrow tea.

Can you make it stronger this time? They keep coming back.

I'll add some chokecherry bark.

And some dried bergamot.

You've been paying attention.

I hear the old King's dead.

Murdered in prison, father said.

God save us. Come.

- That hurt? - No.

Good.

That was unfair.

But you're dead.

Again. Get up!

Hey, hey, hey, hey! Hey, we have no fight with you!

Who are you?

I'm Merthin fitzgerald, and this is my brother, Ralph.

Our father's Sir Gerald, the Earl of Shiring.

Who fought for the King in the late civil war?

Yes.

God save His Majesty's soul.

Whose side were you on?

It no longer matters.

I was making for Kingsbridge Priory.

Can you help me? Before I bleed to death.

Is it love, or passing fancy?

Greetings, Mother Cecilia. I was just admiring the Lord God's gifts.

Oh, really?

And I thought that it was merchants' gifts bought with merchants' tithes.

Thank you.

Good day, Mother Cecilia.

It's freezing in here. Build up the fire for Mother Cecilia.

Goose?

Well, no reason why our weekly meeting shouldn't be tasty.

Godwyn, when you're done, pour some hot cider for our Mother Prioress.

Gladly, Uncle.

Are we celebrating?

Today's my nephew's birthday. He turns 21.

- Congratulations, Godwyn. - Thank you, Mother Cecilia.

Has your uncle blessed you with a birthday gift?

He's sending me to Oxford to study medicine.

How very generous.

How on Earth will you afford that?

You want me to pay for his education.

Well, since the nuns hold the Priory purse strings...

Because the widows are generous in their wills and we are thrifty.

But there's a fine line between thrifty and miserly, Mother Cecilia.

Is that supposed to charm me?

Prior Anthony. Excuse me, Mother.

There's a knight. He's in the kitchen. He's badly wounded.

It's nothing a good purging won't heal. Hold still.

Blood of Christ!

What is this? What's this commotion?

Your physician is trying to bleed me out.

It needs to bleed and balance the humours.

And who are you, Sir Knight?

Sir Thomas Langley, knight to Queen Isabella.

Joseph, do something. He's the Queen's man.

Oh, well, perhaps a poultice of dung to reconnect the body to the earth.

You need to stop the bleeding.

What are you doing here? You're not a physician. Get out!

I sent for her, Brother Joseph.

Caris, take that towel. Come on, now, tie it 'round his arm.

Above the wound.

That towel is used for communion!

All the better, then. Tight, draw it tight!

You, give her a hand.

This is outrageous. Stop it!

Mattie Wise, I think it's best you leave. Brother Joseph knows what he's doing.

You don't belong here! You're only a barber's daughter!

He was also a surgeon.

Wine! We need wine to wash the wound.

Wine will imbalance the body's humours.

Dung will clot the wound and help it heal.

Don't worry about the blood, Caris. Pull it tight!

It's stopping. The bleeding's stopping.

Good. Needle and thread.

We have to make sure all the feathers are pulled from the wound.

Keep it clean.

Brother Godwyn, perhaps you should avoid a degree in medicine

if the sight of blood disturbs you so.

No, I'll get accustomed in time.

Well, tell me then, which is correct? Dung, or wine?

If I agree, I'll sponsor you at Oxford.

Wine certainly has its place, but dung is always to be preferred.

A considered choice.

But not, in my opinion, the correct one.

I am Merthin Fitzgerald.

I know.

Prior.

Prior, may I have a word with you alone?

You wish to make your confession?

I wish to become a monk.

The Priory is far too poor, Sir Thomas, to take on another member.

Unless you can pay the costs, which are considerable.

I have a sponsor.

Amen.

Amen.

We herewith lay to rest the body of Edward II,

King of England.

The Queen?

Yes. Seems she owes him a favour.

How fortunate for us that he chose to come here.

Not fortunate at all, I fancy.

Why?

With the King recently dead and talk that he was murdered?

The death was an accident. The King fell in prison and broke his neck.

You mean he was hanged.

You mustn't say that.

There are darker rumours, too. Red-hot poker up his ass.

None of this is our affair.

His death, however he died, was God's judgment.

With that Knight here? I wish I could be so sure.

I much prefer English to your hideous French, Sir Roland.

What is it you want?

I merely wish to express how honoured I feel

to have played a small role in your glorious victory.

Of course.

The only man from Kingsbridge to have fought in your favour.

Really?

I'm sure there were many of Kingsbridge who were with you in spirit,

but they were simply too busy making money, feeding the King's army.

- Kingsbridge? - Yes.

The home of Sir Gerald, the Earl of Shiring. Is he here?

I haven't seen him.

- He signed the oath of allegiance. - Of course he did.

But then ink is cheap, n'est-ce pas, Lord Mortimer?

Are you suggesting that he conspires against me, Sir Roland?

In Kingsbridge, not just him, but many others.

I have compiled a list.

It would seem that I need new blood in Kingsbridge.

Are you equal to the task, Sir Roland?

I seek only to serve, Your Majesty.

What a toad.

Toads also have their uses.

Honestly, Godwyn! What were you thinking with Mother Cecilia?

- I don't like blood. - Apparently.

Dear God.

If you want to advance beyond being Prior Anthony's lackey,

you must learn never to show your weaknesses in public.

How was I to know the kitchen would be running with gore?

Obviously, we can forget about medicine,

but you still need an Oxford education and it's up to me to secure it.

But you've no money, Mother.

I'll sell this house, crumbling though it may be.

Where would you live?

Why, with you, of course, in Oxford.

No, I'll move in with my brother. He'll have to take me.

But Uncle Edmund has no room for you.

Then the good Lord must provide.

Lord Almighty, give me strength.

Sorry that I took so long, Father.

Come here, I want your opinion.

Which one would you buy?

- Where did you get them? - Never you mind that.

Just tell me which one you favour.

The red one. Much softer.

Well, I was afraid you'd say that.

Wrong choice?

The blue one is Kingsbridge wool.

The red is from Penzance by way of Shiring.

And what's in it?

Angora, perhaps?

All I know is, we need to make our wool as soft, or see Kingsbridge ruined.

Father, you're always exaggerating.

Possibly.

But as head of the Guild, it is my duty to engage in such problems.

You'll find a way. How's Mother?

Resting.

It will take weeks for your letter to reach the Queen

and hear if she will even accept your offer.

She will.

And where is your home, by the way?

In case we need to notify.

This is my home now.

Here we are.

A lovely dung poultice, still hot from the privy.

Mother, it's really not that bad.

You'd never get your father to take that.

Remember to sweeten your medicines when you have a husband of your own.

Well, I'm not going to worry about that for quite some time.

Don't say that. I want to see you married.

Rose. Caris.

- Hello, Petranilla. - Talk of marriage, niece?

Hardly. Sadly not a man in Kingsbridge I find interesting.

Will you listen to your daughter? When did she become so grand?

Marry while you still can, young lady.

Yes, Aunt.

How are you feeling?

Better soon, I hope.

I drank Mattie's potion. It always does the trick.

And yet the headaches keep returning.

I've paid for a miracle.

Sacred dirt from the grave of Saint Adolphus.

I've baked it into a cake to cure you once and for all.

You shouldn't have.

It's the least I could do.

Thank you.

What's that fire done to you?

Nothing.

Petranilla and Mother would have me married.

And you don't want to get married?

Perhaps.

And what will you do instead?

I've been watching Mattie Wise work.

It's fascinating.

She helps people.

Would that be so bad?

Edmund! Edmund!

Edmund!

What is it?

- Rose! Rose. - Something's terribly wrong.

- I'll get Mattie! - No!

No, Mattie's done enough as it is. Send for Brother Joseph.

- No, but he... - Send for him now!

Rose...

I'm afraid it's no use.

Despite the bleeding, she has only become weaker.

- You shouldn't have bled her. - Caris.

It's the recommended remedy,

but it didn't work because God didn't want it to work.

That isn't true.

Against God's will, all the efforts of medicine are useless.

This isn't God's will, she's sick.

My dear child.

- Oh, Christ. - Oh, God, no!

- It's out of my hands, child... - Can't you do something?

- It's up to God now. - We need Mattie!

- Rose, Rose. - Pray.

- Stay with us, Rose! - All we can do is pray.

No! God, no! Please, just do something! Can't you do anything?

Do something! Please!

- Rose! Stay with us. - Please.

Oh, God, no.

- Rose. Stay with us, Rose. - No.

I will never leave you, brother.

- It was so beautiful. - What did you hunt today?

Did you hunt?

- It was. - Not the same story.

That I can't help you with.

It was true...

What's going on here?

You, Sir Gerald, are under arrest for plotting against the new King.

That's absurd! I swore an oath of allegiance!

I support the new King!

Queen Isabella has evidence which informs her otherwise.

Take him!

- How dare you? - No!

Ralph! Ralph, no.

Get out of here at once! This is treason!

I am the Earl of Shiring.

That is where you would be wrong.

I am the Earl of Shiring now.

Amen.

- Amen. - Amen.

Caris.

I'm so sorry.

I can never hope to take your mother's place, but I will do my best.

Thank you, Aunt. But I intend to run father's house now.

You're just a girl, my dear.

And you were a widow running your own house when you were my age.

Your father has already asked me to move in.

What?

I've sold my house.

Why? I don't...

Sir Roland. What is the meaning of this?

The Queen has a list of Kingsbridge traitors. She has asked me to see them hanged.

Seize him.

That is an absurdity! I have... I have done nothing!

Caris...

- I'm guilty of nothing! - No! Father! Father!

- Caris. - No!

- No! Father! No! - Let them go.

It's all right. There's a time and a place.

Next petitioner.

Sir Roland.

Petranilla.

I've come to plead for my brother's life.

Edmund Wooler gave food and silver to the enemy.

- There's nothing you can say. - May I approach?

As I recall, you used to adore my fig pie.

A sweet dish.

But a rotten bribe.

Perhaps the rich spices will appeal to your taste once again.

You understand my appetite very well, Petranilla.

Next!

I demand my husband's immediate release.

Lady Maud. The Queen considers your husband a traitor.

There's nothing I can do.

Next petitioner.

Need I remind you, Sir Roland,

I nursed your son William when he nearly died of fever.

Have mercy on me and my sons, as well as my husband.

I cannot spare the life of your husband.

And my boys?

Be thankful I have let them live.

Take them on as your squires, sire.

I beg you.

I'll take one.

- Who here needs an apprentice? - I do!

Elfric Builder. Which one would you choose?

The strongest, My Lord.

As would I.

So, how should we choose?

First one to draw blood becomes my squire.

The loser follows Elfric.

Any questions?

- So, we're servants now, is that it? - Quiet, Ralph.

I'll kill him.

Spare me the sight of dead sons.

Come on, boys, show us which one is most able.

And which one is Cain.

Come on! You know you're going to lose.

Enough! Pull him off.

My new squire!

Pathetic.

He's buried. We won.

England's ours.

Amen.

- How can he do this? He took our bribe. - Hush.

Is this what we have to look forward to, brother,

now that your Queen is in our lives?

These men are traitors to the Crown.

But Queen Isabella is a merciful woman.

One of these wretches will now be pardoned.

Edmund Wooler. Your life is spared.

But both of your legs will be broken.

- John Constable, take him away. - Yes, My Lord.

Take him to the market square.

Step aside.

Hang them.

No! No! No! No!

No! No! No!

Take the shoes, Gwenda.

No.

- Go on. - It's bad luck.

I came all the way from Saxony to fight for their fucking Queen

and she paid me nothing!

It's the least I'm owed. Take them.

No.

Go on!

Lie still, Gwenda. Your father's lonely.

No, no.

Leave her be.

Hey, just trying to get warm, son.

Yeah, try it again, you'll warm in hell.

You've got to leave before you kill him, Holger.

- Where would I go? - I don't know.

Join the army.

What? Be a mercenary, like he was?

He was a drunken foot soldier. You're a magnificent archer.

- Come with me, Gwenda. - No.

I won't leave you alone with him.

I hated life in the army, and I'm tired of running.

I think I'll stay here awhile.

It's as good a town as any.

How will you take care of yourself?

Don't worry about me. You need to be on your own, Holger.

You can't look after me forever.

And anyway, I'll slice off his cock if he tries anything again.

For you, My Lady.

Mortimer! Come here!

What is it, my Queen?

You were in charge of Thomas Langley. You told me he had been silenced.

Those were my orders, yes.

It seems you were disobeyed.

He's claimed sanctuary in Kingsbridge Priory.

He wishes to become a monk and have me pay for the privilege.

Sanctuary is a veil, not a fortress.

Monks can be disposed of as easily as kings.

If he should die, he threatens that everything he knows

will be made public.

This is a poultice of Datura root. You need to change it every hour.

It will bring down the swelling.

Also, if you bruise the leaves and put them in a tea,

they'll serve to induce sleep if he wakes.

Will you be all right?

I'll help your father.

Thank you.

But I need to do something for myself.

I want to help. Will you teach me?

Forgive me. Mattie, you must come quickly.

The Knight's arm putrefied. Brother Joseph is going to amputate.

Please, don't touch it. Don't touch it.

- Hold him steady. - No! No, no!

- May the hand of God guide me. - No! Fuck!

No!

Butcher!

Witch! You want his soul for the devil.

I want to save him from you.

Leave her to her job, Brother.

This man's suffering will be on your conscience, Mother Cecilia.

And his death will be on yours.

Caris, come here now.

You want to learn? Do as I say.

Twist. Here. Tight.

Tighter!

Tighter.

There. See?

There's nothing to be afraid of. It's only blood.

That's the first lesson.

the bowel. That's the lower one, there. See?

and then have a look inside. What can you see?

- Do you see that? - Yeah.

And that is the upper intestine.

You can see there's a lung there. Do you see?

All of that is the intestine.

Get working, you lazy little bastard. Now!

much more velvety.

Also some of these...

if you bruise it with a pestle and mortar.

Really, you bash it, bash it!

Yeah. You can add a little bit of...

not any of this in.

You want to dry it out.

Yeah, that's good.

Here you are.

I have some absolutely delicious barley and mushrooms.

It's my pleasure.

Very good.

- Are you sure you want to stay? - Yeah. I'm done with traveling.

I'm done with him. You should be done with him, too.

I will be.

Kill him if you need to.

Take it.

Go. Before he finds out you're leaving.

I love you, sister.

I love you, too.

Go. Go.

Arrest this man!

What in...

What's the meaning of this? Edward!

Take your hands off me.

He stands accused of assuming royal power and other crimes.

What crimes?

He murdered my father.

Your father died of a fall in prison.

That is a lie!

This traitor, who lies in your bed,

conspired with Sir Thomas Langley to take my father's life.

But, sire, that is not true.

Langley was my father's keeper in prison, under your orders.

Is that right?

Yes.

Yes.

Langley disappeared on the day that my father died.

Yet only today I saw you trying to burn this letter.

Isabella, tell him what happened.

- Tell him, Isabella! - Just fucking gag him!

Is this true?

I know nothing of this treachery.

We have been betrayed.

Take him from my sight.

You know, first and foremost, I am your mother...

You're a whore.

And my mother.

I suggest you choose which you want to be.

I will not have both.

Do you know who I am? Bastards!

Damn you!

Isabella!

Isabella!

Stop them!

Isabella!

I will make Kingsbridge bleed.

Merthin? What are you doing here?

My God, what happened?

Elfric's a sloppy builder and...

Well, I told him so.

Your life's changed so much since your father died.

You've lost a parent, too.

I'm not sure what's worse,

missing my mother or having to watch my father in pain.

Caris...

Don't carry it alone.

Seek me out, and if I may,

I'll do the same with you.

I'd like that.

Evening.

What's going on?

Good evening, niece. We've planned a little celebration.

A celebration? Of what?

Of your betrothal. To Elfric Builder.

He's agreed to finance your father's business

and make you the wealthiest woman in Kingsbridge.

You've assured our future.

Come here. Come, let me give you my blessing.

Come.

Thank you.

Petranilla told me.

My ransom ruined us.

Your selflessness has saved us.

Thank you.

You are the most beautiful woman in Kingsbridge.

We'll make such handsome children.

She is young and willful.

She only needs taming.

I want a wife, not a horse.

Amen.

Amen.

Will you, Elfric Builder,

take Caris Wooler as your lawful wife?

I will.

Will you, Caris Wooler,

take Elfric Builder as your lawful husband,

to love, honour,

and obey from this day forward, so long as you live?

I will.

You may kiss the bride.

Smile.

Sir Roland.

I will, Your Highness.

Majesty, I bring good news from Kingsbridge.

Two more traitors arrested and hung.

Any monks among them?

No.

Shame.

In short, Kingsbridge has been purged once again.

So Kingsbridge is now a shining example of my realm?

Well, there is always room for improvement, Majesty.

Did you have anything in particular in mind?

Many things.

But let's start with taxes.

Kingsbridge wool is renowned throughout the world.

Shouldn't that be a good source of revenue?

Actual more, Majesty, I think you will find they are already quite heavily taxed.

Are you suggesting they can't provide more?

No, Majesty.

If more is required, then more will be provided.

Then we require more, much more.

A war is coming, and wars are expensive. Go.

And tax those monks, too!

A witch is to be tried on Saturday morning! The last day of the fair!

"The end approacheth," sayeth the Lord. "Death to sinners, and hellfire eternal."

What's Sir Roland doing here?

And with his sons no less? He never deigns to come to the fair.

I expect they've come to meet his fiancée.

His what?

Lady Margery. Didn't you know?

Sixteen's a bit old for a first marriage, Father. She must be hideous.

Au contraire, You've met her, haven't you, Richard?

Well, Father, I've confessed Lady Margery several times.

But to be honest, I wasn't focused on her charm.

Are you going to be able to keep up with her?

No fear for me in the bedroom, boy.

Philippa's met her, says she's spoiled.

Yes. There goes your inheritance, boys.

Is it true your master's to be married?

What's it to you?

Why so cruel?

I only ask out of genuine curiosity.

I once knew him well.

You and many other women.

Have you met the bride-to-be?

She's young and she's pretty, if that's what you're asking.

Now if you don't mind, I have better things to do than to banter with you.

Of course.

Elfric?

He's out.

Do you have any idea where I might find him?

He tells me very little.

Did you make these?

Yes.

I model Elfric's projects in miniature to work out any problems.

You're very talented.

Thank you.

Still, I see things in my mind that I want to build,

but I don't know where to start.

I was a student of architecture myself.

Always wanted to study in Florence.

You've been to Italy?

I never completely understood how the structures were supported.

I'm sure you could follow the drawings better than I.

I doubt it.

Don't doubt your abilities, Merthin.

Very important.

- There you go. - Get me some sage, love.

Signor Caroli? Leaving already?

Buongiorno, Caris, Mattie.

Why are you empty-handed?

Your aunt has raised prices again.

If I can't afford them, then neither can anyone else.

I'd like to go home with something from the best fleece fair in the country,

since it took me nearly a lifetime to get across that bridge.

I'm so sorry. I'll talk to Father.

I'll think twice before returning.

Why don't they widen the bridge?

- I think father is debating it as we speak. - What's to debate?

Hire a builder.

Merthin. Come with me.

Hold on.

No, no, I need you to come with me. Come on!

- What? - I'll explain on the way.

For the Priory!

Bless you, sir.

This fair brings in more money in one week than we make all year.

If we don't widen the bridge, our merchants will go elsewhere.

That is of no concern to me.

Well, it should be.

Why? The money is for you, not the Priory.

Fine. We'll pay for it.

You can't afford to any more than we can.

Elfric is the only builder we have, and he'll charge a fortune.

You'd complain more if the bridge were closed.

This is getting us nowhere. Merthin, give us your opinion.

I... He's just an apprentice.

Let him speak.

Well, I'd wait till late summer, when the river is at its lowest.

I wouldn't have to close it completely,

but there would only be enough space for a few people at a time.

And I would most certainly do it cheaper than Elfric.

But even this man will want money.

The Guild will pay.

But who then will own it?

Well, the Guild, of course!

And what of our coffers?

The Priory's income comes from this bridge. That will never change.

Stubborn fool!

If you ask me, it ought to be rebuilt altogether.

Why do you say that?

Just look at it.

It was never built to carry this much traffic.

I'd be surprised if it lasts another year.

Thank you for thinking of me.

I wanted to dress in this.

Philippa, look at this! Do you like it?

Perhaps Roland will give it to me as a wedding gift.

It's beautiful!

Milady.

I couldn't help but notice that the pale green matches your eyes quite perfectly.

How kind of you to say so.

But my eyes are blue.

Philippa. There you are.

Spending my money again?

And this must be Lady Margery.

I'm William, Sir Roland's oldest son.

And soon to be your stepson.

Ladies, I've heard there is a wonderful selection of furs just over here.

- Shall we? - Yes.

Hey, Da! Look at this!

Stop it, son! That's our livelihood you are playing with!

Annet, catch!

Wulfric! You're terrible!

Fresh eggs. Eggs, sir?

No, thank you.

Fresh eggs!

Hey, you're Ralph Fitzgerald, aren't you?

What of it?

I remember you when I was little.

You were the handsomest lad in 20 miles.

All the girls were in love with you then.

And now?

They still are. Some of them.

What's your name?

Annet.

My father is Perkin of Wigleigh. This is his stall.

You're quite handsome yourself, Annet.

Are these your eggs?

My hens'.

Serviced by a healthy cock, I hope.

Would you like to go walking, Annet?

My fiancé will be jealous.

Your fiancé?

He's a bit of a lump, isn't he?

See to your customers, boy. I'm well taken care of.

He needn't worry.

I only wish to see your hens.

And I'll show you a great crowing rooster.

You leave my girl alone!

You fuck off! Fuck off.

Out of my way!

All right, my lad.

- You are coming with me. - Get off!

And you are in big fucking trouble now!

More Burgundy.

Enjoy it while you can.

For soon, there will be none. The French have blockaded all your ports.

I wait only for new ships, and then, trust me, I will clear them from our coast.

But I am not going to invade France.

With this provocation, your father would have declared war immediately.

I find it curious how, in death,

my father has become the very paragon of kingliness.

We have a right to that throne.

No. You think you have a right. I have no interest in France.

And your claim only brings us trouble.

And you conveniently forget one salient point.

I alone am King.

You are not my co-regent.

You are merely my mother.

Tastes like shit.

- I'm sorry. - "I'm sorry."

Have you tasted it?

Yes.

Did you like it?

I hoped it was satisfactory.

"Satisfactory"?

I break my back all day, and you feed me "satisfactory"?

Don't worry, I'll get you something else.

Worthless.

"Elfric, you married the most beautiful woman in Kingsbridge.

"She'll bear you many sons."

Barren bitch.

Look at me.

Look at me!

- No! No! - Come here!

One day he's going to kill you.

If I could just give him a child.

Then he'll beat the both of you.

Do you even really want children, Caris?

I didn't even want marriage.

It's easy knowing what you don't want.

But what is it you do want?

Come on. And that side. Go on!

Thank you very much. That's lovely. That's great. Thank you.

What did he do?

A fight with the Earl's squire. He broke the squire's nose.

Over what?

Some girl.

The squire was trying to have his way with her.

Was she as pretty as you?

Who?

That girl you defended.

Fuck off, you little Scheissdreck!

What's your name?

Wulfric.

Wulfric of Wigleigh?

I've heard of you.

Well, I've heard of you.

You're Gwenda the Saxon, ain't you?

That's right.

Let him out. He's paid enough for his crime.

Why should you care?

He stands up for girls.

Look who it is, the master craftsman. What the fuck are you doing?

Building the new cruck frame that you asked for.

All day to build a cruck frame?

It's all but finished.

"All but, all but."

What the fuck is this?

It's a more efficient design.

It's a toy.

You piss me off, boy.

You'll never make the Guild,

not if I have anything to do with it. You understand?

If you say so.

Well, I do say so.

Merthin.

And where the hell have you been?

- Mattie's. - Don't lie to me.

You were off trying to give all my jobs to him.

Yeah, that's right.

Godwyn told me.

You took Merthin down to the bridge for an appraisal.

- She was just trying to help me... - I wasn't talking to you.

You dare steal work from me?

You worthless bitch!

No, no, no, no!

You'll be hanged.

No!

You touch her again, and I'll split your skull like firewood.

Your apprenticeship is done.

And you, you're no wife to me.

Now get out from under my roof, the both of you!

Come on!

- Where will you go? - I don't know.

What about you? What will you do?

There's always work to be had.

Not as a builder. He'll stop you from joining the Guild.

So I'll do something else. I'll do anything.

You could apprentice in another town.

I don't want to leave.

But you're good at it. You're clearly good at it.

Don't you know I care for you.

Don't, Merthin, I can't. I'm not free.

Could you love me?

I think I could.

Then why don't we run away together?

It's a step too far, too soon.

I just need some time.

Please?

Excuse me, Brother. I didn't mean to interrupt.

Do you letter, Brother Matthias?

I write, but I don't know anything near as...

There are rules of silence here, Brother Matthias.

And you as a novice should know that by now.

Forgive me, Brother Godwyn...

Thank you.

Like this. Here.

Practice makes perfect.

The Priory must return to the old ways, Mother. No women allowed.

Celibacy should be enforced.

Even the great Prior Philip recognised women's inferiority

and Satan's presence within them.

If we're so inferior, why would Satan act through us?

No. Spiritually inferior.

Which is why his witches are always female.

It has nothing to do with women's sexual power over men?

Don't be absurd.

You no longer masturbate?

Mother!

You were so infatuated with your cousin Caris.

Always wanting to bathe with her.

She never interested me.

I'm glad to hear it. She's asleep upstairs.

Caris?

Elfric has thrown her out and she's recovering here.

Poor Godwyn.

You seem unable to avoid females in the Priory or the home.

Still, once you're Prior...

For God's sake, Mother, I'll never be Prior!

By the time Uncle Anthony dies, I'll be ancient.

Be patient. You'll be Prior soon enough.

All doors yield to time.

A secret well known to us inferior women.

No! No! Papa!

Shut up! It's only a fuck.

Stay away.

You'll pay for this!

Amulets! Cook pots and more! Pegs and hooks! Buttons and buckles!

Scarecrows and used bodkins!

Hey, Gwenda. I've been looking for you.

Well, I haven't been looking for you, so get lost.

I want you to meet someone. Your new husband.

- I don't think so. - Too bad.

You're bought and paid for. He gave me this cow.

What? You can't trade me for a cow.

- Come along. - Hey! No! No!

I'm not going anywhere!

- What is going on? - Let me by.

Not so fast!

She is going to be my wife.

- Now you let me pass. - What?

You can't trade a woman for a cow.

Why not? That's my cow, and this is his daughter.

- It's slavery! - Tie her up!

What's going on? Stop this! Stop this at once! Stop it now!

Now will someone tell me what's happening here?

He wants to sell his daughter for a cow.

She is mine to do with as I please.

- It's against the law! - Enough!

It's not against the law, the Bible sanctions it.

Exodus, chapter 21.

See, a man can do what he wants with his children.

Is there anyone here who disagrees?

Not if he treats his children like you do.

How many of you were made to steal at the age of seven?

Or fucked when your father had too much to drink?

She's a liar!

- I'm not! - Silence!

The Priory has jurisdiction over all bargains agreed at the Fleece Fair!

As Sacrist I have the authority to decide, and you must all agree with my decision,

or burn in hell for prideful disobedience!

Please.

- Take her away. - No!

- No! Please! Help me! - Come along. Come along.

- You heard what the holy man said. - No! No!

Get off me!

You call yourself a man of God?

I doubt the devil's even proud of you.

- Help me! Please! - Come on, girl.

- It's all right, girl. - Please help me! No!

Do we know who the witch is yet?

No.

Give these my lucky shake.

See what happens.

You won't beat that.

- I'll tell you what. - What?

I'll bet you a gold coin for that woman.

Go on, Sim. You never lose.

You never win.

Go on, then. You won't win.

- She's mine. - No. It's only fair that I have first dibs.

I won her fair and square, mate. More or less.

I think I'll collect my winnings now.

Please, let me go. I won't tell.

And if you're caught, I'll stand witness to your mercy. Please!

How about gentle!

Here, take this off. I'll do it myself.

That's a good girl.

Gwenda?

Where is she?

Quiet, quiet, quiet, please! Silence for Bishop Richard.

May God bless these proceedings, and may justice prevail.

- Amen. - Amen.

Before the witch trial begins,

Earl Roland has an announcement to read from the Queen.

By order of the Exchequer of Receipt,

whose purpose is to fund future wars,

a tax on wool will be imposed throughout the land,

and all foodstuffs will be sold to royal troops at fair prices below market value.

In addition,

there will be an increase in the yearly tax paid by the Kingsbridge community

and its Priory to one-tenth of its income and property value.

Your complaints are treasonous!

Her Majesty Queen Isabella has appointed me as tax collector in Kingsbridge.

So you will shut up and listen!

Quiet! Listen to me! Have any of you ever been to Melcombe?

Ships block the harbour! French ships!

Stopping your goods from leaving the country!

This Fleece Fair would be twice as successful if those ships were gone.

We could pay the taxes and still make a fine profit.

This tax is not petty or wicked.

It's a means for England to fight France!

And the very soul of England is Kingsbridge!

Let us show the King the true meaning of Kingsbridge loyalty!

We will sacrifice! All for England! Come on! All for England!

For England!

What sheep.

But what a brilliant shepherd.

Gwenda!

Gwenda, you are my wife!

Bring in the witch.

Mattie!

Behold, the witch known as Mattie Wise.

The chief witness against her is Brother Joseph, Priory physician.

What?

This woman works with the devil to prey on the sick.

She uses Moorish texts, unknown herbs. She's half-Moor herself.

A Muslim infidel!

She cures people. She cured my infant son of an awful fever.

A cure from the devil is no cure at all.

Her patients sicken and die.

More of yours die! She provides cures.

Don't listen to her. She's the witch's assistant.

Let her be heard.

- She left her husband to live with the devil! - Silence!

This is a trial. A defence may be presented. Proceed.

Yes, some of her patients sicken in spite of her help,

but look at those that she's cured.

My own mother was helped by her for years.

Until she died.

It wasn't Mattie that killed her.

Mattie has been with us for years.

She has set your bones and birthed your children.

And now because the Priory wants to increase fleece fair revenue,

she becomes your entertainment.

She is innocent of this charge, and you all know it.

There is no proof that she is a witch.

There is one proof that cannot be denied.

I, as a mendicant friar, have hunted witches for years

and know the mark of Satan well.

All witches have a third nipple especially reserved to suckle Satan.

Allow me to examine her.

Proceed, Friar Murdo.

No!

There!

Hang the witch!

That's no proof!

I need no further proof. Hang her!

No! Mattie!

Mattie!

No! No!

My work is done. Best we leave while we can.

Mattie! Mattie!

Gwenda!

Come here!

No.

Oh, God.

Oh, my God!

My God!

I can't swim.

Help me, please!

No!

Somebody save him!

Save him!

Save Sir Roland!

Here, take my hand!

Pull! Get up!

I've got you. Come on.

Help me!

Thank God, sister. Thank God. The angels were watching over me.

My brother! My dear brother!

God save his innocent soul, he's drowned!

My brother! Help! Help!

My brother's dead! My brother's drowned. Help me!

Take him out! Take him out! My brother!

Mattie! Mattie! No! No!

I've got you, I've got you, I've got you!

No, no, no!