Original subtitles

Subtitled by TVE.

News has arrived from Flanders. Your sister Isabella has passed away.

I will keep the news of my sister's death to myself for a few hours.

Enough time to wed you.

Don Hernán Cortés?

His Majesty sends me to judge Cortés's transgressions against the Crown.

Nobles of France. The treaty I signed in Madrid is void.

Do you think I will be content with a ransom for your sons?

You know well that you will refuse it.

He only awaits your refusal to blame you and thus take his revenge.

Italy must be freed from the imperial troops besieging it.

My soldiers with yours will achieve it.

They neither reward me with the governorship

nor relieve me from being judged.

What options remain for you?

Return to Castile and defend myself before the king.

You were right. I never should have trusted the King of France.

Finish what you have started.

I ordered you to return with the bull or not return at all.

Your Highness, you need me now more than ever.

Isabella? Isabella!

We are to be parents.

Don Felipe, Prince of Castile.

France and Rome have joined forces to attack us.

Where? In Lodi, near Pavia.

The Duchy of Milan is ours again!

I warned you! Our alliance was not enough!

(MONTMORENCY) An alliance with Suleiman is imperative.

You make me choose between my scruples and my office.

(PAGE) Her Royal Highness, Doña Maria of Hungary.

That Suleiman intended to invade Hungary was known by all

and you did nothing to prevent this tragedy.

All funds raised for the troops in Italy will go to my brother.

No enterprise matters now but the defense of Vienna.

Rome has been sacked. And it was our troops.

Music

[Voices of alarm

and commotion in the distance]

Holiness!

Make haste, for the love of God!

We must depart for Orvieto as soon as possible.

The imperial troops will soon enter!

To all the princes of Christendom.

I, Clement VII, successor of Peter,

denounce before your highnesses the crimes perpetrated

in the most holy Rome by Charles, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

May all Christendom hear my plea for justice and aid

in this moment of grief and misfortune.

Let no man allow this offense against God to go unpunished.

Corpus Christi.

I assure you that Monsignor will never set foot in court again.

If only the matter of Rome could be settled

with the disdain of a shameless bishop.

You are not guilty of the misdeeds of a bunch of villains.

Villains or not, they fought for me, the Emperor. The Defender of the Faith

whom Christendom now considers worse than a heretic.

Libels against you circulate everywhere.

We must swiftly put a stop to them. How?

You have in the kingdom writers capable

of refuting such slanders with sound reasoning.

Let it be done. All European courts must know of your regret

and your condemnation of the sack. Will it be enough?

Harmful words are combated with wiser words.

However, it would also help to free His Holiness.

Your troops keep him besieged in Orvieto.

So he can continue plotting against me?

You will regain the favor of the Castilian nobles.

Have I lost it, then? No, my lord.

But there are those who wonder which king they serve,

one who dares to attack the head of the Church.

The league of my enemies is weaker with him isolated.

Let us give him time.

Let him reflect on his actions.

We are all sinners.

His Holiness is no less a sinner than I.

Hear me: He who lies with his brother's wife commits a sin.

You see? My arguments are just.

What theologian could deny me the annulment?

Your Highness, you must read this.

It is sent by the Holy Father.

He requests your aid to break the siege of the imperial troops.

He soon forgot that he denied me his.

I warned him he would miss us.

However,

I believe it is in your interest to assist him.

Do you intend for me to send my troops to Italy?

Imagine the cost of such a campaign.

His Holiness would be in your debt.

Would he not have to satisfy it?

You are my chancellor, by Saint George.

Find a way to free me from Catherine without ruining me.

Then,

do not go alone.

My lord, listen to my faithful Cromwell.

In Italy, he learned all there is to know

about swimming and keeping his clothes dry.

Strengthen ties with the King of France

and march together against the imperial forces to free the pope.

That arrogant Francis will want to take all the credit.

I will prevent it. Trust me.

I assure you England will be the standard-bearer of this holy mission.

No one in Christendom will overshadow you.

Are you sure that bastard spawn will grant me the bull

if I restore his freedom?

You will not find more powerful theological arguments

to achieve your ends.

Can you explain to me why I cannot speak with my husband?

Numerous affairs of state occupy His Highness.

Among them, is he prohibiting my daughter's letters from reaching me?

Is it not enough for him to strip me of my privileges one by one?

To what end such cruelty?

Be reasonable and things will return to normal.

How could I, if by doing so I deprive my daughter of her inheritance?

Mary's legitimacy will never be a bargaining chip!

In that case, madam, forgive me. Other matters require my attention.

I will not yield!

Henry will not get his way!

Ensure you are under protection when he so decides.

One day, Your Reverence,

my misfortune

will be yours.

In His infinite wisdom, God is subjecting the pope to a severe test.

And, meanwhile, grants us a golden opportunity.

The infamy of his troops makes the emperor a pariah.

A pariah whose coffers are empty.

And France will not ignore His Holiness's call for help.

To that end, we will invade Italy.

A new army will enter from the north and recapture the Duchy of Milan.

Once our position in the duchy is secure, we will advance towards Orvieto.

It is fitting that the Supreme Pontiff returns to Rome

escorted by French troops.

How will you prevent the emperor from sending reinforcements from the south?

By besieging Naples by sea and land.

By sea?

- With which fleet? - With that of Admiral Andrea Doria.

That Genoese sells his services dearly.

And we have already lost enough in this war.

For God's sake, Mother. Forget already that traitor Bourbon.

I will find the necessary funds.

It is not prudent to overextend one's own forces.

Now you demand prudence from me? You forced me to attack Charles

when my advantage over him was much weaker.

Now I have the chance to defeat him and, at the same time,

to rise up as the leader of Christendom!

I do not deny it. The political triumph

would be as important as the military one.

My dealings with the Turk have tarnished my glory.

This victory would restore its splendor.

I will do the impossible to achieve it.

Calm yourself, Mother. We are not alone in this enterprise.

I suppose you are Cardinal Tavera, to whom I must pay my respects.

You are not mistaken. I hope you had a good crossing.

Tedious, for the anxiety to defend myself seemed to lengthen the days.

I have brought some gifts for the emperor.

You will wait until you are summoned.

The gold is welcome.

But his presence here could not be less opportune.

Do we have news of the proceedings against him in New Spain?

Not yet. But that man has proven himself a traitor to the Crown.

Majesty. You promised justice for all your subjects.

Does he who has given you so much not deserve to defend himself?

Do not let the glitter of gold blind you to the transgression.

However much the Crown needs these riches.

What, then, am I to do with this Cortés?

(SIGHS) I will not hear his reasons

until our investigators send their reports.

Then, I will grant him the right to explain himself.

I promised justice. It is true.

Therefore, if he is guilty, he will pay for it on the scaffold.

Majesty, I fear I do not bring the best news.

Representatives of France and England have entered Aragon.

They request safe conduct and an escort to reach here.

Grant the ambassadors what they ask.

It is the Chancellor of England and the Constable of France.

(SNORTS)

You owe me a debt and I intend to collect it.

I am not to blame that you are such a poor card player.

Damn Pizarro...!

Cousin!

- I am glad to see you safe and sound. - And I to see you in one piece.

I have suffered no few hardships in that land we call Peru,

but all that is behind me. I have also heard of your trials.

Not only must we fight against the elements, but against...

our enemies, who are everywhere and block our path.

His Majesty will not receive you for the time being.

Does my sovereign have the slightest idea

of the journey I have made to kneel at his feet?

You will have to wait. Give thanks.

I did not expect to see you in this company, Your Reverence.

What brings you before me?

Majesty, not content with having taken my lord, the King of France, prisoner,

you now hold His Holiness the Pope captive.

As representatives of the Christian princes,

we demand his freedom.

I am surprised your lord makes demands of me

when he does not fulfill what was agreed. What have you come to seek? Be clear.

My lord, King Henry, warns you that he will use force

to free the Supreme Pontiff if necessary.

Nor will the King of France tolerate this treatment any longer.

Yield or we will not hesitate to launch our armies against you.

Your lord has not ceased making war on me for a single day in six years!

So, now that he warns me, I will better defend myself.

As for you, Your Reverence, you will never force me by force

to do anything I do not wish to do of my own free will.

Am I to assume everything is arranged?

Andrea Doria's ships are already sailing to their destination.

Excellent. We sought war and now we have it.

Nothing holds us here, then.

Go ahead. I still have a task from my king to fulfill.

What is the state of our forces?

It is the state of our coffers that should concern us, Majesty.

They force me to undertake a war I do not desire and cannot afford.

And with the Turk at the gates of the Empire.

I have sought only to maintain peace

among the Christian princes, at the risk of seeming a fool.

While ambition and envy do not allow

Francis to see who the true enemy is.

On one occasion, I begged you not to negotiate with France.

But now, I suggest the very opposite.

I will not sit with him again. His word is worthless.

Negotiate with the pope, then.

Win the Holy Father over to your side.

Offer him an honorable way out that violates neither his dignity nor yours.

If you succeed, your enemies would be left without arguments.

My lord, the queen is right. What can we lose by trying?

Forgive me if I intrude, but I was seeking an opportunity to speak with you.

We have heard you quite enough. I do not know what more you could add.

The matter that brings me before you could only be understood by a mother.

It has been a long time since my lord has

had news of the Dauphin and his brother.

He alone is guilty of his children's situation.

I appeal to your heart to authorize me to see them

and make it possible to convey their father's love, who has not forgotten them.

I will facilitate that meeting.

But you will not be alone.

Forgive me, Majesty. I bring readings I hope will please the queen.

What readings? Poems.

Today, the sun shines beautifully.

Yes.

And the wind carries scents from the mountains.

Order a mount saddled for me.

Wait.

Saddle another for yourself. You will accompany me.

I wish to make a donation to the Hieronymites.

Door

Ego te absolvo. In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. (I absolve

you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.)

Amen.

It is no easy task to win a war without being at peace with God.

I thank you for requiring my company, Majesty.

For me, it is an honor.

When did you enter the service of my mother, the queen, in Tordesillas?

On the day of Saint Simon the Apostle, when I turned 11 years old.

I know of your loyalty.

You are an honorable man. Were it not for you,

the Empress would have left Castile without me being able to prevent it.

I only endeavored to serve you both in the best way, Majesty.

There will be changes in my wife's household

to conform to the customs of Castile.

I wish that, from now on, you be her High Steward.

I do not know how I can thank you. It will not be necessary.

Let us take our leave of this place of retreat.

We must return to court.

What do you mean they have forgotten their own language?

Do you think the emperor has succeeded in winning them over to his side?

I miscalculated the danger to which I exposed them.

But if I was wrong then, I will not be now.

I will force him to return my children to

me, by wresting from him a prized possession.

The pope will have to wait. I will launch my armies against Naples.

That is not what was agreed with England.

The emperor believes we are heading to Orvieto.

Surprise will be our best card.

I do not oppose conquering Naples, you know that well, but...

why not win the pope's favor first?

- Of all Christendom? - I want to see Charles ruined.

Defeated! I want to see his domains turned to ashes!

May he regret the day he proposed to take my children from me!

- (LOUISE) Your children... - Everything else will have to wait!

I would invite you to sit,

but we have no seats worthy to offer you.

The Emperor deeply regrets your situation.

Above all, what occurred in Rome.

I saw no remorse in his soldiers when they set fire,

robbed, and killed everything they found in their path.

His Majesty suffers for the actions of his troops.

But know that none of that was ordered by him.

And the soldiers who keep me besieged do not obey his orders either?

The troops besieging you today could escort you to Rome tomorrow.

You only have to abandon that league that has been formed

to strip the emperor of his power.

- A power achieved legitimately. - An immense power!

Excessive! Like your lord's pride.

You and our lord are called to the same end.

And you must do it hand in hand.

(FERNANDO) What are you saying?

That I will wait here

for the victory of the French.

Tomorrow, His Majesty will receive me.

He still hasn't granted you an audience?

It seems they enjoy seeing me wait. Day after day.

How long must I endure this humiliation?

I will not keep knocking on that door.

The Empress!

They say she is pious and good-hearted.

I fear, Majesty, that the Holy Father is comfortable being your victim,

waiting for your enemy to free him.

Keeping him prisoner only brings us more hatred.

But freeing him out of goodwill will not bring us any advantage either.

No, it does not seem His Holiness will change sides because of it.

Trust your men, my lord.

They will resist the enemy attack.

Majesty. A second army sent by the King of France

has entered Italy.

Do you still believe our troops can resist?

Where are they headed?

Not to Rome or Orvieto, according to our spies. But to Naples.

Connected as it is by sea, it will be a

miracle if it does not fall into French hands.

Majesty, I know the importance of Naples to the Crown of Aragon

and to you yourself. But let that not prevent us

from seeing the opportunity the Frenchman offers us.

He has declined to free the pope.

Imagine His Holiness's frustration.

We must take advantage of it for our benefit.

If Francis does not free him, I will not keep him prisoner for one more day.

Majesty.

You have good taste in letters.

You say this...

Garcilaso is your friend?

Is something wrong?

I heard the young Alba say the French intend to take Naples.

God help us!

Are you unwell?

You must not fear anything, my lady.

I would like to arrange a mass for our soldiers.

Can you see to it?

There is a convent where I have retreated on more than one occasion.

I could do it there, if it seems appropriate to you.

I beg you.

I would like to be present for the services.

Give them the notice.

The pope is free. And do you know who freed him?

Our troops? No.

The French? Not them either!

It was Charles himself!

Your advice is worth very little.

Nothing you propose to me ends up favoring me.

I will leave for France today, so the king can explain to me...

You will do what I order you to do!

Ensure the pope sends me a nuncio.

To what end, my lord?

He will preside over the trial I am going to open against Catherine.

Your Highness, with all due respect, a trial entails risks.

For you cannot predict the outcome.

Perhaps it would be better to reach an agreement with your wife, my lord.

That Spanish woman is as stubborn as a mule. She will never yield.

- I think you should... - Do not tell me again

what I should or should not do!

I have lost too much time and money listening to you.

There will be a trial!

And the pope will give his blessing to the verdict, which will be none other

than the dissolution of my marriage.

Ensure it is so

because, otherwise, I foresee a bleak future for you.

Could you not find sleep tonight either?

How can I sleep when my kingdoms are in danger?

If we lose Naples, we will have lost the war.

Naples and Sicily are essential in the defense against the Turk.

My grandfather knew it well, who never ceased

striving to keep them in Aragonese hands.

You know that victory is a capricious lady.

Although it may seem she gives herself to Francis today,

tomorrow, she may be with you.

Victory is not enough.

Whoever wins, there will soon be another war.

The struggle will not cease.

Soon, I will have to depart from the Spains.

If it were up to me, I would never be separated from you.

Not for a day, not for an hour.

I am the wife of the Caesar.

And I know what that means.

Someone must assume the regency.

I want it to be you.

I trust in your prudence and good judgment.

You will not be alone. Loyal men will accompany you.

If the task causes you any fear, say so.

My only fear is not living up to your trust.

But I swear

that here you will always find your most loyal servant.

We will face everything together.

Forgive me for addressing you like this.

I understand you are the High Steward to the queen.

Yes, that is correct. With whom do I speak?

Hernán Cortés, Governor of New Spain.

I have heard about you.

Then you will have heard many slanders against me.

However, I need to ask you for something.

Allow this letter to reach the hands of the Empress.

I understand your doubts.

But I assure you that, by granting me this favor,

you help a man who only seeks justice.

You must return this letter.

My lady, I am sorry.

It was that man's distress that made me accept his message.

Do not let yourself be seduced by his words.

That man is under suspicion and awaiting judgment by a tribunal.

I beg you to forgive me.

Francisco,

your heart is kind, but you must be more cautious

and not let others use you for their ends.

Especially if, by doing so, they seek to compromise me.

(THE PRIEST PRAYS IN LATIN)

Halt there! Do not take another step.

Majesty.

Only desperation forces me to such impertinence.

Let me just say a few words to you.

Sheathe your sword.

He has been following us, Majesty.

Do not fear,

trust in me.

I know who you are.

that I have come to Castile to kneel before your husband,

my lord.

But how can I defend myself if I am denied the favor of seeing him?

This crucifix

has accompanied me during long nights of anxiety

and also when I saw my men,

our men,

fall at the hands of our enemies.

I swear, by this cross, that all I have done I have done for my king.

Even my errors.

I appeal to your pity, to ask for your help

and clemency.

Is it true what they told me? Did Cortés approach you on an outing?

It is true. I swear he will pay for it!

There is no cause. For neither his words nor his actions offended me.

I am the guilty one.

I did not show due zeal and allowed that man to reach Her Majesty.

She has been compromised by my clumsiness.

Leave us alone!

Do not blame Francisco.

Devotion to his queen inspired his gesture.

I gave my word to Cortés, for he came to me seeking justice.

You gave your word to an enemy of the Crown?

To an alleged criminal, despite my having denied him an audience?

Isabel? What is wrong?

(MOANS)

(SCREAMS) Send for a physician!

(SCREAMS LOUDER)

If she suffers any harm, I could never forgive myself.

I should not have reprimanded her for her fault in that manner.

My brother,

you have a new daughter.

Is she healthy?

Look at her.

She will be named Maria, like my sister.

I give thanks to heaven that you are well.

Otherwise, I would have died of remorse and guilt.

Do not suffer so on my account.

Can you forgive me?

I can, for one reason only.

Because I love you above all things.

I do not deserve you.

Majesty...

A trial? How dare he? Henry has gone too far!

With England in the enemy camp, we can do little for your aunt.

Everything is in the pope's hands.

He must not fall into the temptation of pleasing Henry!

I have had news that the King of England,

our brother in faith, intends to submit to trial

the validity of his marriage with my dearly beloved aunt.

May the freedom I restored to you stay your hand

so that you never endorse such a felony,

for just as I gave it to you, I can take it away again.

You will go to England, but do not issue any ruling

until you know on which side God, Our Lord, stands.

So I shall, Holiness.

The mere appearance before a tribunal

constitutes a humiliation no queen should have to endure.

You, so beloved by the English, deserve to avoid this unworthy ordeal.

You are still in time. Give the king his way.

Admit that you lay with his brother while married.

And then what?

Request entry into a convent.

I will do so gladly,

if Henry does the same.

Thus, we will both cleanse our souls of the same sin.

Although you may not believe it,

I only seek a dignified solution for the Queen of England.

And thereby ensure your success with my husband.

Would you be here

if you were certain the trial would be resolved in his favor?

Contrary a king's will is risky, madam.

You could end up on the scaffold.

Do not say I did not try.

I will send someone to represent you in the case.

Spare me the farce.

I will defend myself.

You? What do you know of laws?

I did not know how to wage war either

and I put myself at the head of the armies that killed James of Scotland

while my husband was battling in France.

Commotion

My dear Anne,

I would prefer you did not attend.

A curious woman, that Boleyn. By day, an impatient bitch

and, by night, a bashful novice.

At least, with His Highness.

Catherine, Queen of England!

Appear before this tribunal!

Sir,

I come before you,

for you are justice in this kingdom.

For 20 years,

I have been, to you, a loyal woman.

I have loved everything you have loved,

whether I had reason or not,

whether they were friends or enemies.

Rise.

Here, we are neither king nor queen,

but husband and wife.

Then, why should what God has joined together be separated by man?

Does nothing of what we have shared matter to you anymore?

When did I cease to be the wife

who knew how to win the love of your people?

Are those not your own words, so often repeated?

Within and outside England, it is known

that I am a man who speaks more than he should.

I call upon God as my witness that,

when you had me for the first time, I was a true virgin.

I appeal to your conscience, to say if it is true

- or not. - Madam,

you should take a seat and wait for the tribunal to question you.

In the name of charity,

spare me this humiliation.

If you will not grant me such a small favor,

let your will be done.

I commend my cause to God.

Stop!

If you leave this room, you will be declared in contempt.

Do as you please!

I will not remain before a tribunal

whose authority I do not recognize.

That Genoese's fleet is going to defeat us without giving battle.

Hunger and epidemics are taking care of that.

Several Neapolitan barons have changed sides.

Now, they fight alongside France.

We need to send more troops. No Castilian noble

will give another maravedí, if not to defend our borders.

Your refusal will lead us to disaster.

Yes. A disaster whose only cause is the bitter enmity of two kings!

Fernando! Hold your tongue. No!

Speak.

My lord, we have always answered your call.

Those who acclaimed you as emperor can bear the burden no longer.

These kingdoms are bleeding dry due to your animosity.

God forbid that it be true!

No one could claim such a victory.

For all Christendom would be defeated.

He is right.

It is time for Francis and me to resolve our differences face to face.

A duel? There is no other way

to put an end to this bloodshed. Desist. I beg you.

Think of me and your children. It is the only thing I do.

Before I depart, Felipe will be sworn in as my heir.

The succession in the Spains will be secured.

Have you lost your mind?

You are the emperor!

Your mission is to achieve peace among

Christian kingdoms, not to immolate yourself!

Peace is impossible with Francis.

God will help me, for reason is on my side.

I swear I will return, because you and my children will be waiting for me.

Your sacrifice will be useless. My pain, eternal.

The war has lasted too long.

A duel would end it once and for all.

I cannot believe you are serious.

Each day that passes, the debt to Doria increases.

- Your life is worth more. - What other option do I have, Mother?

Refusing would be dishonorable. I will not allow him to humiliate me again.

If it is your honor that concerns you,

I guarantee it will remain intact.

Leave it to me.

I will find the solution.

Your Highness.

Forgive my surprise, but I thought I would appear before the king.

I am sorry, but he cannot receive you.

He is not at court.

I see.

Though I must insist. My lord, the Emperor, wishes to convey to him...

What your lord intends is absurd. And you know it.

If there is no king to challenge, there will be no duel.

The honor of both will be safe, for neither will have refused.

This has gone too far and we must put an end to it.

I will inform my lord

of the impossibility of fulfilling my mission.

Tell him also that France is willing to negotiate peace.

I will let him know.

But I do not know what his response will be.

I trust in the good sense of His Majesty

and of those around him.

A very opportune absence, that of the King of France.

We should have imagined he was a coward.

As for the negotiation, do you consider the offer sincere?

It seemed so. Perhaps it is not a trap,

but a sign that our enemy is not as strong as we believed.

Better to negotiate now, when nothing is decided,

than to accept the victor's terms.

I swore I would never again sit across from one who knows no honor.

And I will keep my word.

But you are right.

We will negotiate.

At least, we will gain time to reorganize our armies.

And who will represent you before France?

My aunt Margaret.

Your Highness.

Damn it!

Doria threatens to lift the siege on Naples if I do not pay him.

Had you accepted the duel, we would not have this problem.

Stop lamenting! You said you would find funds. Do it!

- I have tried everything. - Lifting the siege

would mean losing Naples and, with it, all our aspirations in Italy.

You must try something else.

Better that Charles agrees to negotiate as soon as possible.

Or what we have gained we will lose in an instant.

Never! Appeal to your allies.

Explain the situation to them! Force them to contribute!

And quickly.

The king has been very generous in granting you rights

over the conquest of New Castile for life.

Thanks to you, Your Reverence. I will not forget it, my friend.

Now, I trust my cousin will restore his honor

- and obtain as many favors as I. - If you wish to retain royal favor,

I recommend you keep your distance from your relative.

A report has come from New Spain with evidence of his misdeeds.

- What is he accused of? - Of keeping Crown money,

killing his enemies, and not enforcing the law, among other crimes.

Whether Hernán Cortés has governed well or poorly, no one can know.

However, think of what he has provided to the Crown:

gold and an empire.

A report has arrived against you. They will not delay in arresting you.

Sons of bitches! They want to ensure they see my head on a pike.

Quickly! Come with me.

In Sanlúcar, I have a ship ready to depart for New Castile.

When they miss you, you will be far away.

I have not conquered territories nor subdued an empire

to end up barely surviving as an outlaw.

What good will so much glory be if you lose your life?

I will die with dignity. If they want to arrest me, they will find me here.

Since your visit to Francis's sons, you have fallen silent.

Do not lose whoever should hold your hand in difficult moments.

For only thus will you avoid the bitterness of solitude.

Why do you speak thus?

Do not worry about me.

Tell me: have you had any disagreement with that young man?

Francisco de Borja?

No. I have not heard from him for days and it surprises me.

I saw him leave.

And he seemed to look at his surroundings as if he would never see them again.

Have I been such a bad mistress that you disappear without explanation?

I never dreamed of serving anyone more virtuous than you.

But...

I exposed you and betrayed the emperor's trust.

Speaking with Cortés was my decision

Why does something that does not concern you cause you such anguish?

Majesty...

Do not force me to say what should never be heard.

My devotion for you

goes far beyond loyalty.

Only God and she who is your wife

deserve the devotion you profess to me.

Do not waste it on an impossibility.

How can one hide the sun with a finger?

By directing your gaze elsewhere.

Soon I will assume the regency

and you have shown me I will have no better servant than you.

Do you think to abandon me in such a trial?

My life is in your hands.

Do with it as you please.

It is not the proceedings against your wife that have brought me to you.

Everything continues as foreseen.

Then?

The King of France begs you to send him money

to pay his admiral in the bay of Naples.

(LAUGHS) He breaks his word and, on top of that, asks me for money?

He must be mad.

Or desperate.

He has already tried with His Holiness and with some German bankers

not well disposed towards the emperor.

All have denied him credit.

England will give the same response.

If France does not win the war in Italy,

you lose an ally.

Those funds will better serve my cause

in the hands of bishops willing to support me

than in Francis's.

Are you certain? For a fact. The King of France

has no door left to knock on to collect what he owes to Doria.

God is on our side! We had the war almost lost,

but hope is breaking through before our eyes.

Have the gold Cortés brought loaded onto one of the fastest ships.

Have it delivered to Doria, along with a proposal to join our ranks.

The emperor shows good judgment in choosing his ambassador.

Your fame precedes you.

My only desire is to achieve peace, Your Highness. As is yours.

Upon our shoulders falls the duty to resolve

what swords have not achieved in so long.

So be it.

Inform me immediately if news arrives from Naples.

Commotion

The trial has been going on for weeks!

What is that nuncio waiting for to issue his verdict?

Patience, Your Highness. We knew it would take time.

The pope should have sent someone favorable to our cause!

- I do not see that cardinal being so! - Calm yourself!

Everything is proceeding according to your wishes.

The testimonies presented in favor of nullity are overwhelming.

Then why has he not pronounced yet?

I am sure the letter of adhesion from the English bishops

will tip the balance in your favor. Trust me!

Enough of this talk!

Bring me that prelate's signature today itself! I do not want to wait any longer!

What your son agreed to in Spain is the first thing that must be respected.

Let us not insist on mending a broken treaty and look forward.

We will only achieve peace with new terms.

I do not believe it is the emperor's will

to keep two tender infants detained, as if they were criminals.

May it serve as an act of concord between our lords

that they regain their freedom and return to their homeland.

In exchange for generous compensation, of course.

And may the same concord make it possible for your son

to renounce his rights to the Duchy of Milan.

It is my son who demands the return of the duchy to its legitimate owner.

Then, we will not reach an understanding.

Let us take a break to meditate on what we can yield,

for both of us will have to do so.

Admiral Doria has betrayed us.

He has lifted the siege of Naples and is fighting on the emperor's side.

All is lost.

The Archduchess does not know it yet.

We will use that to our advantage.

Here they come, Aunt.

And their faces do not bode well.

Let us not prolong this nonsense further,

for we are here to reach an agreement.

France renounces its rights to the Duchy of Milan

if your nephew does the same with Burgundy.

A very generous deal, considering the course of the conflict.

Accept and the war will be over.

Burgundy is the inheritance of my brother Philip to his son.

He has always dreamed of recovering it. No. I must think about it.

Think also of how many lives are lost on the battlefield,

while we are incapable of closing a deal.

Your son did not lay waste to the fields of Italy to content himself with crumbs.

Unless the tide of war is no longer favorable to him.

Do you know what you are doing?

You tell me.

Or shall we wait for the emperor's courier to arrive?

Has today's session already ended?

Why so soon?

(CROMWELL) Rome recalls the nuncio.

Without a verdict? It is not possible!

He departed immediately after reading this.

France has lost the war.

Return immediately.

I have been the first deceived by the Apostolic Nuncio!

I always had the certainty...

My subjects do not like the treatment my wife receives.

And they blame you.

The emperor has flooded the kingdom with libels against me.

Only for fulfilling the mission you entrusted to me.

Then you have done it very poorly.

It is time you served your lord well.

And that you pay in his name.

Your Highness...

I have sacrificed my life to serve England and you.

And you have obtained great benefits from it.

But there will be no more.

Out of my sight.

Be gone.

I do not want to see you ever again.

You have won.

- Is that what you wanted to hear? - You have lost, Your Reverence.

But I have gained nothing. Henry will not cease in his pretensions.

And yours? What are they? Eh?

- (WOLSEY) Martyrdom, perhaps? - To die as I have lived.

Nothing more.

Remember me in your final hour.

For, as I told you, my misfortune

has been yours.

Sign with honor what your army

has not known how to defend in battle.

You, nothing can be reproached.

What honor do you find in renouncing my son's rights

to the Duchy of Milan, Flanders, and Artois in exchange for keeping Burgundy?

When will France recover its hostages?

When your son requests that his legitimate wife,

sister of the emperor, be reunited with him.

I promise you I will try to contribute, with all my strength,

to make the peace between Francis and you lasting.

Does my departure grieve you?

I will always protect you.

And I will do what is in my power so that your daughter may accompany you.

Now that I am about to be separated from my children,

I know what it feels like to be far from them.

I only hope that, one day, you can forgive me the pain I caused you.

Your Highnesses.

I regret that your stay has been prolonged more than desired.

I hope that, someday, we may meet again as friends.

You will never have my friendship!

For you will pay dearly for your affront. I swear it.

He is only a child.

Have you already bid farewell to your sister?

Although forced, Francis is going to fulfill, at last, his commitment.

(SIGHS)

However, I see you restless.

What is the cause, my lord?

Cortés.

He is still waiting for an audience.

And I do not know which way to incline my judgment.

It seems I cannot trust the men I sent to judge him either.

And, despite that... What makes you doubt?

The New World must be administered by loyal officials,

not by men like him.

His arrogance and ambition end up rebelling them against me.

But those same defects are what drive them

to conquer new horizons.

You need men with that temperament. Just as you need the gold.

Do not forget it when you decide his fate.

Señor Cortés,

many, before you,

thought that gold buys the right to flout the laws.

I know it well, Majesty.

For more than one has already paid the punishment they deserved for it.

But, if you consider me a traitor...

cut off my head.

But impart justice yourself,

for to you alone I owe my misfortune or my fortune.

First, I grant you the right to defend yourself.

Rise and begin.

But I warn you: it is your only opportunity.

In my letters, I have always referred to you the reasons for my actions.

Life there is very different from how you imagine it.

You were the law! My law!

And you have acted against the Crown, disobeying my commands!

You know how difficult it is to govern.

Have you not taken decisions that repulsed you, for the Empire?

I had to do so in New Spain.

And I have fought against the law's worst enemy.

The most cruel: greed...

which seizes every man who crosses the ocean sea!

I have heard enough.

I cannot condemn you,

for I do not know to what extent you are guilty of what you are accused.

But I will watch you henceforth. Have no doubt.

You will retain the post of Captain General.

And, as compensation for your grievances,

I name you Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca.

And who will impart justice in New Spain?

Do you restore me as governor?

Do not tempt fate further. You have had enough.

In that case, I beg you to excuse me from other obligations in Castile.

I will remain here for a time before returning to New Spain.

I must put my affairs in order

and contract marriage, God willing.

I wish you, then, to find a patient wife, who can tolerate you

and with enough sense to tame your whims.

Charles and Francis have signed peace.

The league against the emperor is dead.

Only negotiation remains for us.

The pope agrees to crown me.

And I owe it to you.

Despite our differences,

you have guided me with a firm step all these years.

Like a father to his son. Your honor is mine.

My reward will be to see, upon your head, the imperial crown.

You are the new Charlemagne, ready to lead Christendom

to a golden age. That is your destiny.

And thus will your coronation in Italy affirm.

I swear I will spare no effort to be worthy of such a destiny.

Now more than ever, you must remember the words of Marcus Aurelius:

Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact.

Everything we see is a perspective, it is not the truth.

I will prepare our departure, my lord.

Do not move! I beg you.

I want to keep your image in my memory,

so that it may accompany me wherever I go.

(SIGHS)

I detest everything that separates us.

Even the cloth that covers our bodies.

How will I live without you? Tell me! I do not know if I can bear it.

If you break down, I cannot go on.

Then, go

and fulfill your mission.

But return soon,

that the scent you leave me today

may linger on my body until then.

(SIGHS)

Take care of my most precious possession.

Isabel...

Gentlemen!

Today, we abandon our home for a noble cause.

Let no one dare stand in our way.

Let us prove to the world that the emperor wants nothing that is not his.

For we do not intend to subdue our brothers in faith,

but to unite with them in the struggle against the infidel.

Let us depart for Italy!

Let all those who wish to share the honor and glory

join us.

For the Spains!

- For the Spains! - For the Spains!

Lean on me, Majesty.

I will not allow rebellion to be sown among the vassals.

Send for the physician!

I need a new ally near the King of England.

And, even so, you intend to unite me with the enemy of the reformers.

For Luther, it would be an honor

if you accepted that he dedicate this volume to you.

What better proof for all of the rapprochement we seek?

With Cortés, here he let things happen.

It is time someone put a stop to the excesses of the encomenderos.

Do you intend to guide the acts of the most powerful man on earth?

Only the unity of all Christian princes will end the infidel.

Enough!

The emperor and the archduke are not on the best terms.

A council to discuss this string of heresies!

You have given refuge to a fugitive Indian.

A very serious crime in these lands. You had better confess.

The physician has visited our aunt. He did not bring good news.

If you ever commit treason against your lineage,

banish pity from your heart.

Charles, his treason has not been proven. Do not give way to tragedy.

We will finish off Barbarossa in Algiers.

Your brother is about to rise up against the emperor.

Give me strength, Lord, for I must make the most terrible decision.

We do not need the Turk, but his navy.

If you accepted to be our sovereign, nothing could be reproached to you.

The moment I so feared has arrived.

Let us pray to God to protect the emperor in his battle.

(SCREAMS DESPERATELY)