Original subtitles

- Is that him? - Yes.

Oliver.

- God be with you Oliver. - And you too John.

This is Henry Ireton, a good friend.

- Good day to you sir. - Mr. Ireton.

I've just been taking a last look at my land.

We had heard you were leaving Mr. Cromwell, we came from London directly.

Could've saved yourself the effort Mr. Ireton.

- If we could discuss it Oliver, I'm sure... - There is nothing to discuss John.

Well, come back to my house. You've got a long journey back.

You must forgive the manner of our table Mr. Pym.

Our best crockery is packed for the voyage.

- Bridget, fetch the bread. - Yes Mother.

We'd hoped to persuade your husband to change his mind about going to America ma'am.

I should've thought you would know Oliver better than that Mr. Pym.

It was not an easy decision John.

This is my country, my land. God has been good to me here.

- Then sir, why are you leaving? - I have a family Mr. Ireton.

I owe it to my sons to make a better life for them.

England is no longer a country for a young man.

I recall you often spoke out strongly in Parliament...

for the rights and privileges of the common people.

That was a long time ago Mr. Ireton.

I'd a vision then.

A great nation.

Prosperous, god fearing, good laws, strong...

respected throughout the world.

That was the England I dreamed of.

Well sir, you are a squire now, a man of property.

Perhaps you no longer care for the common people.

Perhaps I've been misinformed sir.

I thought as a Puritan you would see it as your god given duty...

to do the Lord's work in this land, regardless of sacrifice.

Mr. Ireton...

I was fighting for the liberty of the common people when you were in knee breeches.

Then why are you leaving?

I am leaving because this country crawls with greed and corruption.

It is governed by adventurers and profiteers...

who think more of their pockets than their principles.

I am leaving sir, because we have a king...

who taxes the rich beyond its means and steals land from the poor to maintain his...

lavish court and his catholic wife.

Now, when Parliament objected against these injustices...

he closed his Parliament down.

And our man dare not speak his mind for fear of imprisonment.

Oh yes.

All my life I believed it was god's work to fight against such tyranny.

But god has turned his back upon this nation and we are leaving it.

And what if Parliament should be recalled Mr. Cromwell?

- And why should a king do that? - He needs money Oliver.

- What? To build another palace? - No.

To fight a war.

A war John?

A war against whom?

The Scots have assembled and army on our border, they may invade us at any moment..

The king needs money to raise an army.

By the king's own decree, Parliament has not sat these past 12 years...

- and now the king needs money. - Once Parliament has assembled...

it will lie within our power to change...

the whole structure of government in this country.

John, how many times did we sit in Parliament in the old days...

and how many resolutions did we pass? And how many times did this king overrule us?

Oh, the king can have his war with Scotland, we will be in America.

There will be a war Mr. Cromwell but not be with Scotland.

Henry.

- With whom Mr. Ireton? - Henry, we've argued this matter many times.

I'm convinced of it.

- A war against whom Mr. Ireton? - Against the king sir.

The king?

You mean a civil war? In England?

You know not the ways of this nation Mr. Ireton, such things do not happen here.

And in my opinion it is long overdue.

- I will not have such talk in my house. - It's common enough talk these days, I fear.

Then it is treasonable talk and I will not have it in my house.

I mark the time when you were much against the king and never feared to say so.

In truth, there is much in this king that does offend me.

Yet with all I would not take up arms against him and I would oppose any move to do so.

In such a cause our swords will be in god's hands.

It's an odd thing Mr. Ireton, every man who wages war believes god is on his side.

I warrant god should often wonder who is on his.

Good evening sir.

Well, if I did give you offense sir, I beg your pardon.

You're a young man Mr. Ireton, it's fitting a young man should want to change the world.

Not the world sir, only England.

With a civil war.

- Good evening Mrs. Cromwell. - Good evening Mr. Ireton.

I'll get your cloak Mr. Ireton.

I hope you'll forgive him.

Goodbye John.

God be with you Oliver.

You've no right to do this, leave them animals be.

This is the common land.

Any man who raises a hand against the king's men will be arrested.

You have no right to do this, this land is ours.

Well, now it belongs to the Earl of Manchester.

By whose authority?

- By the authority of the king. - Then I say the king is a thief.

You're under arrest, take him away.

- Bastards. - Let go him, what's he done?

Release that man.

- Who the devil are you? - This man works for me.

Whatever he has done, I will take full responsibility.

He has spoken treason against the king. Will you take responsibility for that?

The rights to pasture belong to the common people.

By what authority Lord Manchester do you take that away?

By the authority of His Majesty's commissioners,

Granting me and my friends full rights to this land for the purpose of improvement.

Such a contract cannot be legal, it is in violation of the law of this land.

As a magistrate, you should know the king is the law of this land.

On the contrary my Lord Manchester, it is the king's duty to maintain the law.

This is common land, it belongs to the people.

This is my land and you are trespassing.

It's only out of respect for your rank I don't have you arrested for obstructing the law.

- Captain Lundsford. - My lord?

See that no unauthorized person enters this area.

Yes my lord, remove these people.

Good morrow to you Squire. Good morrow Mrs. Cromwell.

Squire, have you news of my husband?

- It's in god's hands Mrs. Carter. - And in the king's.

Let us pray.

Almighty god...

look down upon this thy house and we, thy humble servants.

Grant us the spirit of thy grace through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Who has done this?

- Answer me, who has done this? - An edict Squire...

from the archbishop himself and by order of the king.

By order of the king.

Is the church of England not a Protestant church?

Would the king turn the house of god into a Roman temple?

Mr. Cromwell, I beseech you.

Does the king think that god can be bought with gold, trinkets and gilded rubbish?

- I know only that I have been instructed. - Has this king forgotten the Reformation?

- Mr. Cromwell... - Away with it.

Popish idolatry.

Did the Lord not say unto Moses...

Thou shalt not make unto thyself any graven image.

Nor bow down to them?

Has this king forgotten the Spanish Inquisition?

Is the Roman catholic church to have a seat in Westminster?

Oh, my god.

My god. Oh, my god.

Goddamn this king.

King's guard, attention.

Here we are my lord.

That'll do, damn it. I'm not a damned cripple.

Me sticks, where are me sticks? Come over here, boy.

- Here they are my lord. - Give me the damned things.

- And who the devil are you? - Edward Hyde.

Let's in to His Majesty, where is he?

- He's at prayers my lord. - Aye.

He might do well to pray and all. We're going to need some help.

First the Irish and now the Scots.

You doesn't turn your back on either of them.

Let us give thanks to our mighty god, that he has seen fit to bless this table...

with the fruits of his bounty. In the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, amen.

Amen.

I did remark madam, with some distress that His Highness, Prince Charles was...

absent from prayers this morning.

- He was with me my lord. - He did pray with you? In your chapel?

- Yes my lord. - I am most displeased.

It is not fitting that a future king of England...

should make his devotions in a catholic chapel.

Your private beliefs are respected but this is a Protestant country...

and as head of both church and state it's my god given duty to see that it so remains.

His Highness found the whole business so boring my lord, that he fell asleep.

- Didn't you Charles? - Yes madam.

I believe you will find your church as solid as ever my lord.

Nevertheless, you will kindly see that it does not happen again.

Yes my lord.

Your Majesty, the Earl of Strafford awaits your pleasure.

My good Lord Strafford, welcome back to England.

Thank you me lord.

Your Majesty, your Royal Highness...

most noble sovereign...

- A chair for his lordship. - Thank you me lord.

I'm sorry to see you in pain.

It is the agues from the bogs of Ireland my lord, godforsaken place.

Saving your presence my lord bishop.

We would not have summoned you Lord Strafford, had the situation...

here not been of a greatest urgency.

You've doubtless heard that the Scottish rebels are marching on Newcastle?

Aye lord.

You will whip these barbarians to their senses.

- But what of Ireland my lord? - We'll deal with Ireland in good time.

- You'll march an army on Scotland. - Army, what army?

Most of your army lies rotting beneath the bogs of Ireland.

What's left of it is hard pressed to keep law and order.

Then we will raise a second army.

I fear Your Majesty may find that easier said than done.

What? I guarantee I could raise 3000 men under arms inside a month.

But, could you guarantee their loyalty my lord?

Is there an Englishman living who wouldn't draw a sword against his king's enemies?

There would be many Englishmen my Lord Strafford...

who would more readily draw swords against the king.

God, who is this jackanapes that mouths such treason in your presence me lord?

You've been away a long time Strafford, much here has changed.

- Aye, I can see it has. - I fear Sir Edward but speaks the truth.

To put an effective army in the field against the Scots will cost almost a million pounds.

The crown does not have a million pounds.

Are we just going to sit here then and do nothing?

Then I will summon Parliament and instruct them to provide money.

Parliament?

The king of England go cap in hand to the common people, like a...

- A beggar. - Aye, a beggar?

- I have no choice. - I say take the money.

You my lord, are absolved before god and before man from any such action.

For in extreme necessity, the king is acquitted from all rule of government...

and can do all that his power permits.

Power? Where is the power of a king without an army?

I'll warrant you I'll raise an army...

we'll reduce this kingdom to submission in one summer.

Do you mean sir, that I should declare war on my own people?

Aye, before they declare war on you.

Well, sons, there it is.

Parliament House.

Upon that place rests all the hopes of this nation for a settlement of its ills in peace.

You think it could come to war Father?

Well Oliver, when men run out of words, they reach for their swords.

Let's hope we can keep them talking.

The king demands money to raise an army.

This House demands redress for grievances.

Grievances which the past 12 years...

have laid heavy upon the nation, I say that-

May I be heard?

I say, therefore, this House is resolved that we'll vote...

- will vote. - Welcome back to Parliament.

No money for the king.

Order, order.

Neither will we take up arms against our Scottish brethren unless...

unless this Parliament is allowed to function...

as the true voice of the people of England...

and not as a gathering of lackeys to the king.

Sir Edward Hyde, Your Majesty.

- Well sir Edward? - Your Majesty.

I believe the House will grant a loan to the crown.

But only on certain conditions.

Conditions? What do you mean? Conditions?

What are these conditions sir Edward?

In essence sire...

that the crown relinquishes all authority over Parliament.

And who put forward this proposal?

John Pym, Henry Ireton John Hampden.

The Puritans.

They were well supported my lord.

And they call themselves Englishmen?

My god, it's enough to make a man deny his birthright.

Yet withal, they still be Englishmen.

They make a mockery of the crown.

They abuse the privilege of free speech with sedition and treason.

You're too loud Lord Strafford, it is most unpleasant to the ear.

So it has come to this my lord.

- That you now bargain for your crown. - What would you have me do?

Arrest every man who opposes me? Hang them?

Would you rather make a gift of the crown of England to the rabble in the street?

It lies beyond my power to arrest a citizen without proper charges.

Charges are immaterial.

Such an act would subvert the fundamental laws of this land madam.

Such an act might save the crown of England my lord.

I've governed this country justly and fairly these 12 years...

without reference to any Parliament.

You may be assured I do not intend now to be schooled in my high office...

by illiterate farm hands, cobblers and...

basket weavers.

My Lord Strafford, you will rid us of these troublemakers...

Pym, Ireton, all of them.

- I'll arrest every one of them me lord. - As you will.

- I shall need a warrant. - That is imperative.

And what will the charges be my lord?

You're an experienced officer of the crown Strafford.

You do not need to be instructed by me.

Mr. Speaker.

- May I have permission to address the House? - By all means sir.

Gentlemen, a matter has come to my notice which is of deep concern to me...

and will, I am sure, be to every single member of this House.

The Earl of Strafford has, this day, put his hand to a warrant...

for the arrest and impeachment of myself...

and four other honorable members of this House...

upon a charge of high treason.

Though Strafford's hand be upon this warrant...

I see in this business not the hand of Strafford but that of the king.

My lords.

I beseech you, do not condemn this king too hastily.

For I am persuaded he has been ill advised upon this course.

Is not a king to be judged by those from whom he seeks counsel?

- No. - He is not.

It is not the function of this House to sit in judgment upon this king.

The fault lies with those very people from whom the king has sought counsel.

I therefore move that this House demands...

the arrest and impeachment of the Earl of Strafford...

upon a charge of high treason against the people of this nation.

Silence, order.

The motion has been proposed, let it be put now to the question.

- Is the motion agreed? - No.

In favor of the motion?

Aye. Aye. Aye.

The ayes have it.

I think my Lord Strafford's condition...

will soon be far happier than mine.

Do you see madam? You see now what you've made me do?

Gentlemen, His Majesty.

Pray be seated.

Your coming is nothing if not timely.

My Lord Strafford's head has but barely fallen.

Now gentlemen, it is for you to speak.

Your Majesty, you see here the leaders of all parties of the House.

And though we be divided on many issues, we are of one accord.

In that we place above all else, our allegiance and loyalty...

to our most gracious sovereign.

For which reason we are deeply anxious for a settlement of the differences between us.

I share your sentiment sir Edward.

The issue be this my lord.

Parliament is persuaded that without the right...

to govern this nation by the will of the people and with god's guidance...

we be not a Parliament at all.

And that unless some constitutional reformation be brought about...

we would as well go back to our homes and our farms...

as pursue this mockery of a government one more day.

In short Mr. Pym, you're asking me to relinquish my sovereign power over Parliament.

It does amount to that Your Majesty.

I do swear that I hold this England and its laws dearer to my heart than any here.

But gentlemen, if you were to reduce me to a figurehead, a puppet king...

manipulated by Parliament,

How then would I serve my country? What manner of king would I be?

I am persuaded Your Majesty, that England must move...

forward to a more enlightened form of government...

based upon a true representation of a free people.

Such an institution is known as democracy sir.

- A democracy Mister... - Cromwell sir.

Democracy Mr. Cromwell, was a Greek drollery...

based on the foolish notion that there are extraordinary possibilities...

in very ordinary people.

It is the ordinary people my lord, who would most...

readily lay down their lives in defense of your realm.

It is simply that being ordinary...

they would prefer to be asked and not told.

You know, as I do, that even as we sit here the Scots rebels are invading this land...

and not an English sword is raised against them.

I beg you therefore, let us...

bury our differences in defense of both our church and kingdom.

The Scots invade our land and all is urgency and alarm.

In the past 12 months our Irish colonists have been slaughtered...

our churches desecrated, our clergy persecuted.

The crown has been oddly reluctant to defend our church and kingdom over there sir.

By my god, I would as soon take up arms against Rome than against the Scots.

Would you have me declare war on the entire catholic world Mr. Cromwell?

It is your duty to defend our church sir.

We are speaking now of a matter of international policy.

Is Your Majesty sure...

that it's not a matter of domestic expediency?

Come sir, I would remind you sir, that you are addressing your king.

Mr. Cromwell, you are impertinent.

Such issues are beyond good manners sir.

Catholicism is more than a religion, it is a political power.

Therefore, I am led to believe...

there will be no peace in Ireland until the catholic church is crushed.

Your Majesty.

These gentlemen are from the Parliament.

Your Majesty, Parliament has drawn up this document...

in which are set out our main grievances.

It is our belief that the demands made here are only those that are just and lawful...

and in the best interests of both crown and kingdom.

I shall examine these proposals most carefully Mr. Pym.

Gentlemen.

It is not too late my lord.

You have the power still.

And with god's help the strength to use that power.

Oh, my dearest Charles.

I married you as a king and as a man.

I beseech you, do not disappoint me in either aspect.

This House has time and again expressed its wholehearted loyalty to the crown.

Yet doth Parliament await in vain for a gesture.

The king is coming with a warrant to arrest you John Hampden, Henry Ireton...

Sir Arthur Haselrig and Oliver Cromwell under charge of high treason.

I suggest you leave immediately.

That if the issues that divide the king from his country...

be not soon resolved, then these issues may soon divide the nation.

The king is coming with a warrant for our arrest.

- What? - We must leave at once.

Oliver, your name is on it.

Come.

My lords, my lords...

Gentlemen, the king comes. He comes with 100 men at arms.

The doors, the doors, bolt the doors.

Stand aside gentlemen, if you please.

Open in the name of the king.

Mr. Speaker...

Gentlemen, you must pardon this...

infringement of your privilege but I will not detain you long.

Mr. Speaker, I must make bold with your chair.

I have here a warrant for the arrest of five members of this House.

John Pym, Henry Ireton John Hampden, Oliver Cromwell and Sir Arthur Haselrig...

upon a charge of treason.

I see that the birds have flown.

Mr. Speaker, where are these gentlemen?

May it please Your Majesty, I have neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak...

except as this House gives me leave.

Well sir, I have eyes. I see that one of them is here.

- Captain. - Take him.

Any action against a member of this House is a breach of privilege.

I move this House declares as public enemies any who lay hands upon its members.

And I further move...

I further move that any such action against this House...

be considered a crime against the people...

and treason against this nation.

So be it.

Mr. Speaker, you will inform the members of this House...

that their presence is no longer required by the nation.

This Parliament is by my...

authority, terminated, dissolved.

Your Majesty...

Are you aware that by your action in this House today...

you may have pushed this nation to the brink of civil war?

Now do we see...

in what contempt this king holds this House and this nation?

It be either your king or your Parliament.

Honorable members, the decision is yours.

But I beseech you, in the name of god, think well on it.

Fairfax.

Gentlemen...

I move that this House demand the control of the militia...

and that this country be put in an immediate posture of defense.

Mr. Speaker...

My lords...

honorable members...

this nation is now in a state of civil war.

And let us pray that god in his mercy will give us strength...

in this terrible and most unhappy hour.

Morning William.

- Give you good day Squire. - Why the coffin?

If it be god's will I die Squire, then I would've a decent Christian burial.

Let's hope it doesn't come to that William, I need you in the farm.

- Hello Father. - Father.

- Morning, where's your sword Richard? - I have no sword Father.

You must get one and wear it. It's a mark of your rank Captain.

- Yes. - God bless thee.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, brethren. It is the Lord's work we do this day.

This is no place for you Hugh, though you be welcome.

I've consulted god on this matter Mr. Cromwell.

I asked him, Lord, whose side are you on?

And he answered me saying, on the side of truth and justice.

So here I am.

Company, forward.

♪ Lift up your heads ye gates of brass, ye bars of iron yield... ♪

♪ And let the king of glory pass the crosses in the field... ♪

♪ That banner brighter than the star that leaves a trail of light. ♪

Greetings Uncle.

It's a fair day for a fight. Where be the enemy?

My lords, I present my nephew, his Highness, Prince Rupert, Count Palatine of the Rhine.

- My lords, I give you greetings. - Your Highness.

And good Cousin Charles, most noble Prince of Wales.

- How fare you, young sir? - I'm well, thank you cousin.

So let us to action, for I do swear by this sword...

that within a week we will have severed every round head from its shoulders.

- Well said Your Highness. - Let the standard be raised.

Soldier, get those guns moving.

Thou shalt proclaim his life.

Though granted...

Halt, halt...

- Where the devil are we? - Edgehill my lord, over there.

- Morning Robert. - Morning Edward.

Damn me, they've got a lot of fellows there.

- Where's Cromwell? - Approaching now my lord.

- Morning Cromwell. - Morning my lord.

- Your men fit colonel? - My men are ready my lord.

You seem damned eager to get into this business Cromwell.

We all enter this reluctantly but the die is cast, is that not so Lord Essex?

You are right.

Well, to your position, let no man move except upon my signal.

- And may god look kindly upon us this day. - Amen to that.

Missed my breakfast, damned tricky things, stomachs.

- God be with you men. - God bless you.

- God be with you. - Take care of yourself William.

- The Lord will take care of me Squire. - Have faith John.

I have Squire, come on lads, look to your muskets.

Have your muskets at the ready, come on now.

Father.

May god take care of you Richard and be with you Oliver.

And with you too Father.

O Lord, defend our cause against the face of the enemy.

Save us from the violence of the enemy. O Lord of hope...

fight for us that we may glorify thee.

O Lord, god of mercy, put thy strength in our hands this day.

Give not the battle to the strong but to the righteous.

And be thou, O merciful god...

- Our savior mighty deliverer Jesus Christ. - Defend me from them that rise up against me.

Our lord, amen.

- Amen. - Amen.

Father look, it's Lord Essex.

Oh, come cousin, let's take a good look at these Round-heads.

Your Majesty.

God's teeth, have we not parleyed enough these past months?

- Well Essex, are you prepared? - We are, shall we begin at 10?

Oh, make it 9, my lord, I'm positively starving.

Then in god's name, let's to it.

- It is agreed then, 9 o'clock. - And by my faith, which I have not...

I swear that within the hour, this field will be strewn with English dead.

If this be so, they will have been killed by Englishmen.

For we have not seen fit to import foreign mercenaries into our ranks.

I will mark you well for that insult sir, be on your guard.

- Colors to the rear. - Colors to the rear.

The Lord is our strength, praise to the Lord.

What in the name of god are we waiting for?

Ireton.

- I thought we came here to do battle. - We're waiting for the appointed time.

The appointed time?

- Colonel Hampden, commence firing. - Fire.

What the devil is that fool doing?

Artillery, commence firing.

Fire.

O Lord, thou knowest how busy I must be this day.

If I forget thee, do not thou forget me.

Fire.

Fire.

- You'd better send Fairfax in. - Bugler, sound the charge.

Troop at the gallop, advance.

- Signal Astley to advance. - Bugler, sound the advance.

The sport begins.

Troops rear left, at a gallop, charge.

Give fire.

- Advance. - Advance.

Advance.

Fire.

Advance pike.

Charge pike.

Fire, second rank forward.

At the gallop.

It's getting too damned close for my liking.

- Sound general retreat. - Sound general retreat.

My lord, why in the name of Christ did you sound the retreat?

Colonel, you've counter-mined my orders once today, you'll do as you're told sir.

Hold your ground, in the name of god, hold your ground.

Well Uncle, did you ever see a quarry so swiftly put to flight?

The king will forever keep this field and this day's service...

in grateful remembrance.

Come nightfall, we shall bury our dead. And then by god, we shall bury this army.

With such pitiful men in our ranks, it were better this war were never fought.

Not a drop of English blood soiled this English land.

It's a bad officer who blames his men Cromwell.

I blame them not my lord, for they are simple men.

But what match are farmer's boys against gentleman's sons?

The battle is not yet lost Cromwell.

This battle were lost before it ever began my lord.

And in like manner, so will this war.

In the morning I'm returning to Cambridge.

If you desert the field, I'll have you arrested.

This war will not be won with untrained ploughmen, apprentices...

old, decaying serving men.

We need men with fire in their bowels who fear the Lord but not the enemy.

As god is my witness, I am resolved that this battle will be won.

Therefore, it's my intention to return to Cambridge...

and raise an army of handpicked men, the like of which this nation has never seen.

With or without your permission my Lord Manchester.

Bristol will not be permitted to fall. It is our only seaport in the west...

and if General Goring is incapable of holding it, then I will dispatch someone who can.

I would've a mind to see Bristol my lord, it is a fair city, I hear.

Then I shall place Bristol in your command nephew.

- Now, my lord general, should our forces... - Your Majesty.

- Yes, what is it? - News of Cromwell's army Your Majesty.

- Come forward. - At last, Old Ironsides ventures forth.

- Well, speak man. - They're about six miles away Your Majesty.

Just south of Naseby, by my reckoning, there be about 1000 horse and 2000 afoot.

- And what news of Manchester's army? - I saw no other army Your Majesty.

Was not Cromwell to join Manchester's forces at Naseby?

- That was our intelligence Your Majesty. - Then Manchester be still in Lincoln.

So Cromwell comes with his army of 3000...

to our 7000.

- By your leave Uncle. - Your Highness.

General Astley, sound the alert, want every man in full battle order at once.

By god, we have him.

Manchester.

Where in the name of Christ is he? Know you not we are at war?

In god's name I do swear we fight this war single-handed.

Oliver.

What bloody treachery is this?

We came to meet Manchester and instead we find the king's army.

Well, I shall take on the king.

And after that if needs must, I'll take on Manchester as well.

Before you stands the enemy, his three to every one of us.

And where in god's name is Manchester?

My Lord Manchester will rue the day he has not joined us here.

And now to your positions.

These tactics we have practiced often enough these past six months...

now let us put them to the test.

For upon this field of Naseby, we'll turn the tide of this unhappy war.

God be with you all.

Is this wise Oliver? We're heavily outnumbered.

Was not Gideon outnumbered by the Amalekites?

It is not numbers that count but speed and surprise.

Let no man move, except upon the word of his commander.

Though we be outnumbered, we shall win this battle. I promise you.

So now put your faith in god and keep your powder dry.

Halt.

Attack order, double line abreast.

- Forward. - Forward.

The man must be mad.

- Prepare to attack. - Prepare to attack.

Our swords are in god's hand, and our faith is in the Lord.

Charge.

Fire.

Forward.

Colonel.

Regroup. Regroup.

After them.

Advance.

To the rear.

Forward.

- Come on lads. - At the gallop.

Your Majesty, may I suggest that we withdraw?

No.

Who goes there?

- Captain Cromwell, 3rd Cavalry. - Richard.

Thanks to god, where's Oliver?

The outrageous incompetence and inefficiency...

of the high command have tried my patience and that of my hard pressed army long enough.

By my faith, I swear...

it would be better that those gallant generals...

Essex and Manchester took up swords with the king.

For then might we be assured of victory.

- Hear. - Hear.

For by their reluctance to pursue this war with the intensity it demands...

they have proved treacherous both to our cause and to this nation.

- Hear. - Hear.

If we beat the king 99 times...

he will still be our king and we his subjects.

If he beats us but once, we shall all be hanged.

If that is so, then why in the bowels of Christ...

did we take up arms against him, in the first place?

Gentlemen...

honest men had served us faithfully...

and many had died...

that this House may sit in freedom and this nation live in liberty.

In the name of god, I beseech you...

do not desert them now.

Unless Parliament supports this war to the full...

I am bound to say in all conscience that I will lay down my sword...

and let this House make its peace with the king.

Be that peace ever so base.

Then, it is for this House to decide.

I move that this House demands the immediate resignation of the high command...

upon the grounds that they be no longer competent...

to command the armed forces of this Parliament.

Order, order, order.

The motion has been proposed, let it now be put to the question.

- Those against Colonel Cromwell's motion. - No.

- Those in favor of the motion. - Aye.

The ayes have it, the motion be carried.

I move...

I move that Colonel Cromwell be appointed commander in chief of the army.

Yeah.

Bristol, we must dispatch aid to Bristol with all possible speed...

for as long as Rupert holds Bristol, this war be not lost.

Gral Digby, if you can detach your forces in this area and approach Bristol from the east?

Do that my lord, would be to expose this city to immediate attack.

Then we move the Marquis of Huntly's army southward.

The marquis my lord, surrendered to Cromwell's forces yesterday.

Cromwell. I hear nothing but Cromwell, Cromwell.

My lord, it is but a game we play here, a game with wooden armies and paper flags.

'Tis but a block of wood you hold in your hand.

- My lords, all I ask for is a little time. - Time my lord, costs us heavily.

If we can hold on here in Oxford for six weeks...

the Scots have promised an army of 20,000 men.

Her Majesty is in communication with my cousin, the king of France...

and I have good reason to hope for support from Ireland.

An army from Ireland Your Majesty?

I would as soon join forces with Cromwell himself as take up arms with the Catholics.

I am the king and defender of my people...

and I maintain the right to seek relief from no matter what quarter.

As king my lord, it is your god given duty to defend the faith of this nation.

- I do what I think to be right sir. - Catholics as allies, it's unthinkable.

My god, if it has come to this, let us rather sue for an honorable peace...

than fight a dishonorable war.

I will not countenance defeat.

Rather than abandon my kingdom to Parliament, I would come to terms with the devil himself.

Since you came to the throne Your Majesty...

your armies have persistently persecuted our church in Ireland.

And yet, now that your need is great, you turn to us for help.

The king's actions in Ireland Your Excellency...

will seem as nothing should these Puritans come to power.

It is not only the crown of England that is in peril Excellency.

All institutions...

of established order throughout the countries of Europe are threatened.

An Irish army of 20,000 men...

even 15,000, would forestall such a threat...

and bring this wretched war to a speedy end.

I am instructed to say that His Holiness...

would permit an Irish force to take up arms in this country.

But there are certain conditions.

First, the catholic church in Ireland must be completely restored...

and permitted to practice freely without interference or oppression.

Secondly, all Protestant churches in Ireland must be closed...

and all Protestant bishops and ministers removed from office.

Oh, there are one or two other minor conditions of little consequence.

What you demand Excellency, would be a betrayal of...

my coronation oath as head of the English church.

You have a duty Charles to the crown, for without that, you will be head of nothing.

May I tell His Holiness that you will agree to these conditions?

You have something to say to me sir Edward?

Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Rupert attends in the council chamber.

- Rupert? Here in Oxford? - Yes my lord.

I fear Bristol has fallen.

- Your Excellency will excuse me. - Yes Your Majesty.

My lords, His Majesty.

Do not rise sir, when your king approaches?

Rise sir, or to your knees in shame.

You did give me your most solemn promise that you would hold Bristol for four months.

Yet you have not held it for four weeks.

You promised mountains, yet you perform molehills.

- You make a knave of your king. - My lord...

we were besieged on all sides.

Our men were foot weary from battle, ailing with plague and sickness.

Yet you contrived to escape with your life.

I have brought you an army my lord.

An army, 2000 strong, ready and willing to fight on for their king.

In exchange for all the corn and stores you held in Bristol and 200 cannon.

That was the price of your freedom sir. I did what I considered to be right.

You deserted your command sir.

- I made a military decision. - Decision that may have cost us this war.

Your action in this matter is of such affliction to me sir...

that it is the greatest trial that has yet befallen me.

My conclusion is...

to desire you to seek subsistence elsewhere, not in my kingdom.

Most gracious lord...

I do not crave forgiveness, for by all as I hold most dear, I do solemnly swear...

that I acted only in good faith.

The matter is at an end, I will hear no more.

My lord...

My lord, I beseech you.

In god's name, allow that I may die with honor, condemn me not to live.

Captain Lundsford...

Do not put upon these shoulders the terrible shame of exile and dishonor.

I beg you, take my life most noble lord.

Good Uncle, for pity's sake.

His Highness is to be kept under close guard until such time as he is deported.

Very well Your Majesty.

Father, Mother says I'm to go with her tonight to France.

- Is that your wish Father? - Yes.

My duty is to stay here with you and fight beside you.

Your place now is at your mother's side Charles.

You will help her raise money, perhaps an army.

Should I meet my death and you are safely in France...

then England will still have in you, a lawful king.

You will go with your mother.

I love this land.

And when this great responsibility becomes yours...

then I pray that with god's help...

you will reign more happily than I have done.

Now go, with god's speed and your father's blessing.

Oh, Charles.

I love you.

Your Majesty, it is my most solemn duty to place you under arrest.

- By whose command sir? - By the command of Parliament sir.

I know of no authority in England above that of the king.

It is upon that issue that this war was fought.

- Whither am I to be taken? - To London sir.

- You must grant me a little time to... - We leave for London at once.

- And my children, what of them? - We will take care of your children.

His Majesty will have all the time he requires.

As for your children sir, you may take them with you.

I thank you sir.

♪ Him serve with fear, his praise foretell... ♪

♪ Come ye before him and rejoice ♪

♪ The Lord ye know is god indeed ♪

♪ Without our aid he did us make ♪

- ♪ We are his flock ♪ - General John Pym is dead.

♪ And for his sheep, he doth us take ♪

- When did it happen? - This morning.

- What is it? - John Pym is dead.

Parliament is discussing peace terms with the king.

- Does the army have no say in this? - The army has been ordered to disband.

In god's name, did we fight this war that the politicians should take over behind our backs?

If Parliament has decided the army will disband, then the army will disband.

I say we take the army and march on Parliament.

The sword will not rule this land.

We fought to institute a parliamentary system...

and overthrow the very tyranny which you now propose.

And who is talking to the king? Parliament?

I doubt it, I warrant I know who is doing all the talking.

I have these past three days been in consultation with His Majesty the king.

And I'm pleased to inform the House that the king is now prepared to discuss peace terms...

provided that the army stand down.

I have given this House's assurance that his wishes will be complied with.

Further, in recognition of the very great debt...

this House owes its commander General Cromwell...

it is proposed to award him a pension of 3000 pounds a year...

together with certain estates in the county of Cambridge.

It is further proposed that the sum of 2000 pounds...

Such low treachery is not worthy even of you my Lord Manchester.

Am I to believe my ears?

Did this nation win a bloody civil war...

in order the king should dictate the terms of peace?

I have already discussed the matter at great length with His Majesty-

You have discussed it? It is a matter for this House to discuss.

- Hear. - Hear.

The king will not come to terms sir, until the army stand down.

- Hear. - Hear.

And the army will not stand down until the king comes to terms.

So if the king will not talk to this House then let the king talk to the army.

Out of the question. The king would never agree.

Parliament is behind us sir and on this occasion we have the majority.

Sir Thomas Fairfax...

- He's bringing in the army. - Order, order.

Order, I say.

Order, silence, order.

Order.

Silence, order,

I believe my Lord Manchester, that now I have the majority.

This is dictatorship, it will mean a new civil war.

Order.

Honorable members...

I swear before my god that you give me no alternative.

When those liberties for which this army and this nation...

have fought so hard are most solemnly guaranteed...

then this army will stand down.

And upon that, you have my most sacred promise.

- And who have we here? - It is I my lord.

You are supposed to run Sir Edward, not let me catch you.

I'm afraid I'm getting a little too old for such games my lord.

Cromwell is here to see you.

You must play on your own now children. Your father has other games to play.

Prince Henry, you will be good enough to give me back my hat.

Sir.

Gentlemen, His Majesty.

We came to present our terms my lord.

If Your Majesty will be so kind as to study these proposals.

Has Parliament approved this treaty?

Parliament no longer truly represents the people of this nation sir Edward.

And you Mr. Cromwell, do you truly represent the people of this nation?

I represent the army sir...

and the army is the heart and conscience of the people.

So having failed to come to terms with Parliament...

you would now negotiate with the king.

I am not bound to negotiate with anyone.

With 50,000 men under my command I could impose a government on this nation overnight.

One is given to wondering Mr. Cromwell, why you do not do that?

I am deeply convinced my lord, it be the duty of Parliament...

to frame a constitutional government and not the army.

Then I do not see that you have any need of me at all.

On the contrary sir.

An England without a king is unthinkable.

But withal, a king that can command respect.

A monarch who governs, not from fear, but by the affection of a free people.

Such a king could reunite this great nation of ours...

and make the name of England the noblest in all Christendom.

Should you adorn that inheritance my lord, all Englishmen would be proud to call you king.

Mr. Cromwell, I do confess that I did greatly misjudge you...

for I did mark you as an ambitious man.

To these ends my lord, I am ambitious.

Then you have my respect sir.

Thank you my lord.

We shall return in the morning sir.

I shall require a little longer to study this document, perhaps a week.

As Your Majesty pleases.

I sincerely hope that our future relations may be equally amiable sir.

That is my hope also my lord.

A cunning fellow.

- I believe him to be a sincere man my lord. - Indeed.

If these proposals be acceptable...

there never was a crown so nearly lost, so easily recovered.

Whatever these proposals may be sir Edward, they are not acceptable to the king.

- Cromwell has betrayed us. - Aye.

We have given our blood and our lives in this war to put down this king.

If Cromwell comes to terms with him now, what price our freedom then?

Get back, will you?

I have served General Cromwell faithfully all my life...

and I reckoned him to be a man who feared god and did honor his word.

But in this business he has shown himself to be a man of no honor.

Aye.

We fought this war to remove this king...

- not to put him back on the throne... - Aye,

I say, let us march on London,

let us take Parliament and then let the king try to negotiate with us.

- Make way for Cromwell. - Traitors, mutineers.

I don't have to tell you, any of you, you could all be hanged for this.

We are not serfs general, nor mercenaries.

We have fought for the Lord in our cause and now we have a right to speak.

You have no rights to preach revolt and mutiny.

As for you John Carter, I did expect a greater degree of loyalty from you.

I am still loyal to what I fought for sir, can the same be said of you?

I have not betrayed my god, country, Parliament or my conscience.

And where was your conscience this day, when you parleyed with the king?

I tell you, all of you,

I do most honestly believe that we have taught this king a lesson.

And he will prove most honorable. Upon that I would stake my life.

Traitor, traitor.

This is a military camp sir, not a debating chamber.

Under military law, any man inciting mutiny can be hanged.

- Colonel Harrison. - Yes General.

These three men will draw lots, one of them will be hanged.

- Captain Lancing, get a length of rope. - Yes sir.

- You man. - Yes sir.

Pick up some straws.

General, there is a Sir Edward Hyde to see you.

Sir Edward, has the king considered our terms?

The king sir, has not even read your terms.

Nor will I venture has he any intention of so doing.

He has, this day, drawn up a secret treaty with Manchester and Essex to...

raise a Scottish army against the Parliamentary forces.

He has already consented to a catholic army from Ireland.

While you negotiate a settlement with him, he is planning a second civil war.

I do confess that I have these many years given my allegiance to a man...

not worthy of the title king of England.

Colonel Harrison.

I will have this king's head...

Aye, and the crown upon it.

This obstinate king, this man of blood...

whose heart god has hardened, can no longer be trusted.

For in prodigious treason, he has revealed himself to be a traitor.

A man of no honor.

A man unfitted to bear the title, king of England.

- Hear. - Hear.

I demand therefore, in the name of the army and the people of this nation that...

Charles I, king of England, be brought hence...

to stand trial for his life on a charge of treason.

Oyez, oyez, oyez.

All manner of persons having anything to do with this court...

come forward and give your attendance.

Every man to keep silence upon pain of imprisonment.

God save the king.

Let the prisoner be brought in.

The Clerk of Arraigns will read the charges.

Charles Stuart, king of England...

you stand before this court charged with high treason.

In that being admitted king of England and therein trusted with power...

to govern according to the laws, you did out of wickedness and design...

erect and uphold in yourself an unlimited and tyrannical power.

To rule at your will and overthrow the rights and liberties of the people.

And that you did traitorously and maliciously...

levy a cruel war against Parliament and the people.

And are therefore guilty of all the treasons, rapings, burnings...

spoils, desolations, damages and mischiefs to the nation committed in the said war.

Thus, on behalf of the people of England, this court impeaches you as a tyrant...

traitor, murderer and public enemy to the Commonwealth of England.

- God save the king. - Silence.

Sir, you have heard the charges against you.

The court expects an answer.

First, I would know by what authority, I mean lawful authority...

I am brought here and carried from place to place and I know not what.

And by what authority you presume to sit in judgment on me.

Remember, I am your lawful king.

Think well upon it.

I have a trust committed to me by god by old and lawful descent.

Therefore, let me know by what authority I am brought here and I shall answer.

It is not for the prisoner to question the court.

I am no ordinary prisoner sir.

An answer sir, the court demands an answer.

- Then I refuse an answer. - Sir, you are before a court of justice.

Well sir...

I see that I am before a power.

The court will keep silent.

Mr. Solicitor General, are your witnesses prepared?

- They are my lord. - Then let them be brought forth.

Call Sir Edward Hyde.

And you saw the king and his wife...

alone in their chambers with this catholic Archbishop Rinuccini?

I did.

And what did you assume was the purpose of this meeting?

You are obliged to answer sir Edward.

- To raise an Irish army my lord. - To fight against the Parliamentary forces?

And at this time, was the king in communication with any other foreign power?

Yes, yes, with the king of France and with the Dutch.

- For the same purpose? - Yes.

To raise a foreign army to invade this country...

and to perpetuate the war against the people of this kingdom.

Sir Edward?

Yes.

To the block with him.

Sir, throughout the three days of this hearing...

this court has patiently awaited your pleasure...

to hear what you have to say in answer to the charges against you.

Yet you have declined to speak.

I am most willing sir to answer before Parliament...

but not before this assembly...

whose authority I refuse to acknowledge.

Sir, what answers you may offer the commons can be given here.

For this court does sit in the name of the House of Commons.

Sir, if as you have said, you do love the liberty of the subject...

you will grant me, your king, a hearing before Parliament...

which is the lords and commons assembled.

Sir, I submit you seek only to delay the course of justice.

By your favor sir, I seek only those rights...

which, as your king, I would grant to any one of my subjects.

Silence.

Sir, this court requires to know if...

you have anything to say before judgment is passed upon you.

I have nothing to say to you.

Then this court will retire to judgment.

What ails thee? Art thou mad?

Have we come thus far that you would betray us now?

There is nothing in the Constitution of this land...

- that entitles us to bring a king to trial. - Is not the king answerable to his subjects?

- The trial is clearly illegal and I will... - Is not the king answerable to his subjects?

The king sir, is answerable only to god.

Then by god, when he dies, he shall have much to answer for.

- We have gone too far in this matter. - This commission has no lawful authority...

- Our authority lies with the Parliament sir. - Parliament is the law in this land.

If the charges against this king be not proven...

what terrible retribution may he not bring down upon our heads?

In the name of god.

What are we all? Men?

Cowering and quivering like downtrodden serfs.

The king is not England, and England is not the king.

It is not the survival of the king that is at issue here.

It is the survival of England.

And this king, by his dishonesties, by his treasons...

and by his secret treaties with foreign powers...

has shown himself to be ill fitted to govern this great nation.

As god is my witness Oliver, I desire not the king's death...

but the settlement of this nation in peace.

You think I don't desire that? Go back to my farm and my family?

Very well., go again to this king.

Offer him once more our terms.

Though god knows, he should be well acquainted with them by now.

Tell him he may sit upon his throne...

but that this country will be governed by Parliament...

and Parliament will be elected by the people.

Now sir Thomas, if you can achieve this where we have failed...

this trial will end.

Here is a warrant demanding the death...

of the king upon the charge of high treason against this nation.

It will require all your signatures sir Thomas...

I have come thus far with you Oliver, in our great cause...

but I will not sign this warrant.

- Oliver, I cannot. - Is he guilty or not guilty?

- He is the king. - Is he guilty?

- Yes. - Sign it.

Charles Stuart, king of England...

you have been found guilty of high treason against the good people of this nation...

represented in Parliament, by whose authority this court does sit in judgment upon you.

Upon this charge...

it is the sentence of this court that you be taken hence to an...

appointed place...

and put to death by the severing of the head from the body.

And that is the sentence of the whole court.

- Remove the prisoner. - Silence.

Will you hear me a word sir?

No sir, you're not to be heard after sentence.

By your favor sir.

I know as much law as any man here, I have the right to be heard.

No sir. Guard, remove your prisoner.

I demand...

Blood for the traitor.

- General. - Sir Thomas.

I have been this past night to the commissioners.

They have instructed me to lay before you this warrant for 40,000 pounds...

in return for the king's life.

How little you know me that you think you can buy my principles.

You insult me with that cheap bribe.

Will you not think on it?

I have thought on it, and well.

By my god, I have thought on it.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall.

And they stripped him and put on him a scarlet robe.

And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head.

And they bowed the knee before him and mocked him saying...

Hail, king of the Jews, and they spit...

- Your Majesty. - Is it time?

No Your Majesty.

Her Royal Highness, the Princess Elizabeth and his Royal Highness, Prince Henry.

Elizabeth, sweetheart.

Don't grieve for me. Henry.

Now, both of you...

mark what I say.

They will cut off thy father's head. There now.

Henry, pay careful attention to what I say.

You must not let them make you king...

not while your brother Charles is still alive.

- I would be torn to pieces first. - That's my son.

Today, your brother will be king.

Elizabeth, now.

It's a glorious death to which I go.

Tell your mother...

that my love for her was the same to the last.

And remember me in your prayers.

- The king's escort Your Majesty. - Thank you.

God bless you both.

- What kind of morning is it colonel? - Indeed it is somewhat chilly Your Majesty.

Then I was wise to put on a second shirt.

For if I trembled with the cold, my enemies would say it was from fear.

I would not expose myself to such a reproach.

- Please keep them. - Oh, Your Majesty.

I do not fear death sir Thomas. It is not at all terrible to me.

I thank my god I have prepared for it. Are we to ride to Westminster or walk?

My orders are that we walk Your Majesty.

Admirable, the morning air will do me good.

The king is coming.

- He's coming now, the king is coming. - Hey you, stop him.

Gentlemen, the king comes.

- Traitor. - Execute him.

Execute him.

- And a true, urgent sword in our hand. - God bless Your Majesty, god bless you.

Escort, halt.

Well gentlemen, are you afraid to kill your king with an open face?

I will not delay you long, but will say only this to you...

As god is my witness, I have forgiven those that have brought me here...

and pray that my death be not laid to their charge.

For I do endeavor, even to the last, to maintain the peace...

of my kingdom.

I go now from a corruptible...

to an incorruptible crown.

To everlasting peace.

Will that suffice?

Permit me sir that I may pray a while before the blow is struck.

Then when I put out my hands so...

that will be the sign.

Lord, let us now thy servant depart in peace according to thy word.

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation...

which thou has prepared before the face of all people.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be.

Behold the head of a traitor.

We did not assassinate.

Nor was this thing done in a corner, it was done in the face of god and of all men.

The office of king is now abolished, long live Parliament.

- Long live the Republic. - Aye, long live the Republic.

Richard, I want to go back to Cambridge.

- Will you come with me son? - If you wish Father.

It will be peace and quiet there now.

God knows my soul craves a little peace.

You must not think on it Oliver.

It's over now, the war, everything.

'Tis over and done.

Oliver, you're home now.

It's nothing more to think on.

Save that we two may grow old together in peace.

Peace.

Father.

Henry Ireton is at the house with some men from Parliament.

I'll be along shortly.

Tom.

Arthur.

Henry.

Well, you all seem solemn enough.

It is a solemn business that brings us here Oliver.

Well, speak of it.

The country needs a head of state Oliver, it must be governed.

- Is it not governed by Parliament? - There must be a figurehead.

It is our tradition, the country needs a king Oliver.

God knows you've said so many times yourself.

The country will be rule by Parliament.

Now, in the name of Christ, how often must I say that?

- And who will control Parliament? - The people, the people, the people.

- It's not practical, it won't work. - It will work and it must work.

We are here on behalf of Parliament to offer you the crown.

To offer...

Me, king of England?

King Oliver I of England.

Elizabeth tell me, do you see before you a king?

This tired, sickening man, this country oaf...

crude in speech and manner?

This, this rough fellow...

does he display the bearing of a king?

You are the one man who can govern this country.

In the name of god, did we cut the head off this king only to steal his crown?

This hollow golden ring, this worthless trinket.

Give it to a whore for the price of her bed.

If you would find a head to fit it, let it adorn some court jester or some...

strolling player that he may play your king, but not I.

Power must be absolute or it be no power at all.

It was not for power that we did this thing, have you not understood that yet?

Now Ireton, mark me and mark me well.

That you be hard set upon ambitious courses has not escaped me...

and if you seek to use me towards such ends...

though I love you like a brother, I swear I will destroy you.

Every freeborn Englishman, be he the lowest of the lowest...

is entitled to a voice in the governing of this country.

But there is no vote for the poor, for the underprivileged.

No vote for all those who took up arms...

to put down the very autocracy that this Parliament now imposes upon us.

You did not vote this Parliament into office. This gaggle of buffoons, these villains.

Much has been said in this House about the so called inequity of...

certain members being financially involved in national projects.

Members have ascribed to this state of affairs dark and sinister motives.

I say if we in Parliament cannot gain from ruling the country...

there's really very little point in our being here at all.

No member of this House should be permitted to profit from his office.

- Hear. - Hear.

If this House knew its duty to the nation, it would...

terminate its sitting and let a new Parliament be elected.

Gentlemen, I move that this House be given power to remain in office...

a further three years without reelection.

In my opinion, a committee of inquiry should be set up...

to investigate the financial involvement of certain members.

Order, please.

Mr. Speaker, may I have your permission to address this assembly?

By all means sir.

My lords, honorable members...

I have always desired, above my life, a free Parliament...

sitting by the authority of the good people of this nation.

A Parliament open and visible, to be seen by all men.

It is six years since I handed over to you this great responsibility...

in the hope that you would make good and wholesome laws...

which the people of this nation expected of you.

I must confess to some abatement of my hopes...

for what has happened in my absence.

Instead of uniting the good people of this nation...

with righteousness and peace...

which would've been a glorious and Christian thing to have done.

What do I find?

Anarchy, corruption...

division and dissatisfaction.

I say that the enemies of this nation have flourished...

under your protection.

You were from the beginning...

a provisional government not truly representative of the people.

For have the people elected you?

Has this House gone once to the people it purports to represent?

No, it has not. And after six years of misgovernment, what do we find?

Sir Thomas Fairfax moves a bill to give this House a further lease...

of its worthless and dishonorable life.

Gentlemen, an immovable Parliament...

is more obnoxious than an immovable king.

You are drunkards, tricksters, villains, whore-masters...

godless, self seeking, ambitious tricksters.

You are no more capable of conducting the affairs of this nation...

than you are of running a brothel.

You are scum sir, and not truly elected scum at that.

This is no Parliament, I shall put an end to your sitting.

I hereby declare this Parliament dissolved.

- Colonel Harrison. - Yes sir.

- Troops forward. - Rubbish.

- Remove them. - Come on, get them out.

This is dictatorship sir, dictatorship. Dictator, dictatorship.

This is illegal. Come sir.

- Come sir. - I refuse to quit this chair.

By your leave sir.

Away with this bauble.

I've seem to recall that we cut off a king's head...

for such as this.

You are a traitor sir, it is the likes of you who have turned my hand to this.

I have sought the Lord's guidance night and day in this matter.

It is not idly done, for this nation will be justly governed.

I will give this nation back its self respect.

We will walk in this world with our heads held high.

I will liberate man's souls from the darkness of ignorance.

I will build schools and universities for all.

This will become the golden age of learning.

I will bring the law within the reach of every common man.

There'll be work and bread for all.

This nation will prosper because it is a godly nation...

and because we walk hand in hand with the Lord.

I swear by the name of the living god that I will see this nation...

properly governed...

if I have to do it myself.

Dear god, give me the strength to do it...

alone.

Oliver Cromwell ruled the nation as lord protector for five years.

In that short time, he raised England to be a great power...

feared and respected throughout the world.

Under his hand were laid the foundations of a truly democratic nation.

In 1658 he died.

Three years later, Charles, prince of Wales, was crowned king...

and a monarch sat once more upon the throne of England.

But an England never to be the same again.