Original subtitles

(choral music)

- (grunting)

(groaning and grunting)

(drawn-out groans)

(pained groan)

(pained groan)

ANNE VAUX: You probably know the name Guido Fawkes

as the lone assassin who failed to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

as the lone assassin who failed to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

But he wasn’t acting alone.

(door squeaks and slams, lock clicks)

(door squeaks and slams, lock clicks)

VAUX: His accomplices will soon be forgotten by history,

which is why I need to tell you THEIR story.

which is why I need to tell you THEIR story.

These men were my family and friends.

I would have lain down my life for them...

I would have lain down my life for them...

..even I didn’t always agree with their methods.

(suspenseful music)

(birds hoot and squawk)

(horse whinnies)

VAUX: In the two days since Fawkes was captured,

his accomplices had become the most wanted men in England.

Their plot to blow up Parliament may have failed,

but they were convinced the country was still ripe for revolution.

- Littleton! It’s good to see you.

- You too, Robin.

- You too, Robin.

- The rest are not far behind.

Let’s go!

(dark, suspenseful music)

- (whistles)

(metallic jangling)

(metallic jangling)

(lock opens, chain clinks)

(lock opens, chain clinks)

(birds caw)

(door opens)

- Gunpowder! LAWLEY: Who goes there?

PERCY: Oh shit! The guardsman!

- No, no. Unless we have no choice.

- No, no. Unless we have no choice.

(tense music builds)

(sword chings)

- (mumbles)

(inhales and grunts)

- Oh, you’re drunk. Fool. - (sword unsheathed)

- Oh, you’re drunk. Fool. - (sword unsheathed)

(dark, dramatic music)

- This is as much as we can carry.

We need to go.

- For your trouble. - (coin chinks on floor)

- (sniffs)

My name is Robert Catesby.

This isn’t my first skirmish.

The last, er, the last rebellion I was involved with failed.

The last, er, the last rebellion I was involved with failed.

But now I’m in charge, we’re doing things my way.

Now, we may have not been able to blow up the King,

Now, we may have not been able to blow up the King,

but we can certainly raise a rebellion to overthrow the bastard.

VAUX: Sometimes it was hard to know

VAUX: Sometimes it was hard to know

whether my cousins were brave or insane.

(horse whinnies)

VAUX: For two generations, England’s Catholics have been oppressed.

Most have surrendered their faith, but a few of us worship in secret.

Most have surrendered their faith, but a few of us worship in secret.

BARMAN: That’s it, come on.

VAUX: King James I had already escaped both a kidnapping

VAUX: King James I had already escaped both a kidnapping

and an assassination attempt.

It was only a matter of time before Robin and his accomplices

It was only a matter of time before Robin and his accomplices

tried their luck.

WINTOUR: Fawkes! FAWKES Good to see you, my friend.

VAUX: Robin knew that to overthrow the King,

VAUX: Robin knew that to overthrow the King,

he was going to need a skilled team around him.

- This is Catesby.

- We appreciate you joining us, Fawkes,

- We appreciate you joining us, Fawkes,

Thomas has told me great things about your time in Flanders.

- Well, self-praise is no praise, but yeah,

I know my way around a sword.

I know my way around a sword.

- Good lad, I’ll drink to that.

- No. I need you all sober for this.

- Oh, this is getting serious!

- Gentlemen, what I’m about to disclose

must not leave these four walls.

I want us to swear an oath to one another,

I want us to swear an oath to one another,

one that binds us together in the eyes of God.

ALL: I swear to Almighty God.

CATESBY: Thomas Wintour is my cousin and confidante.

CATESBY: Thomas Wintour is my cousin and confidante.

We grew up together. Percy is a little older than the rest of us,

old bastard, but, um,

old bastard, but, um,

the Catholic community’s so small that everybody knows everyone else.

Jack Wright is committed and dependable.

We fought alongside each other at the Essex Rebellion.

We fought alongside each other at the Essex Rebellion.

As for Fawkes, he is a soldier who’s been fighting for the Spanish

on the Continent for nearly ten years.

And he knows a thing or two about gunpowder.

When the King announces the date that he’ll reopen Parliament,

well, we have ourselves an opportunity.

well, we have ourselves an opportunity.

It is the one day...

where he,

where he,

his Protestant Lords, his Bishops and his politicians...

..will be gathered together in one place.

..will be gathered together in one place.

I can’t help thinking that perhaps even God himself

would approve of it being the best place for their punishment.

- And by what means?

(ominous music)

- Gunpowder.

- Fucking hell. I think I’d like that drink now.

- Fucking hell. I think I’d like that drink now.

- We’d never get gunpowder anywhere near the throne.

They’ll see it coming a mile away.

Besides, we’re all too well-known to the authorities.

Besides, we’re all too well-known to the authorities.

- Not all of us.

And as for the gunpowder, it wouldn’t be inside the chamber.

And as for the gunpowder, it wouldn’t be inside the chamber.

It'd have to be under the Parliament and enough

to bring the whole fucking place crashing down.

- Alright. And then what?

- Well, then, Percy, we take our country back.

(sinister music builds)

- For me, you can certainly say it all started with my father,

- For me, you can certainly say it all started with my father,

William Catesby.

(distorted eerie sounds)

(distorted eerie sounds)

- Growing up, my house was full of secrets.

Trap doors leading to hidden rooms.

Secret prayers and forbidden guests.

Secret prayers and forbidden guests.

My father was part of an underground network

battling to save English Catholicism from extinction.

battling to save English Catholicism from extinction.

With Mass being illegal and no priests ordained here,

priests that had trained abroad started to come back

and live in houses like my father’s,

and live in houses like my father’s,

which became illicit places of worship.

Queen Elizabeth steadily tightened the noose.

Queen Elizabeth steadily tightened the noose.

As the laws became harsher, the searches became more aggressive.

(clatter)

(clatter)

- If discovered, my father faced prison.

And the priests, death.

And the priests, death.

(metallic swish of dagger)

- There’s no shortage of neighbours or passers-by

willing to spy or report on the papist devils in their midst.

willing to spy or report on the papist devils in their midst.

My father was branded a traitor, imprisoned and fined.

Now, you see, he could have received a pardon

Now, you see, he could have received a pardon

if he’d sworn an oath to the Queen, you know, denouncing the Pope.

But my father, he was a devout and dignified man...

But my father, he was a devout and dignified man...

..and he refused.

I always admired my father for that, you know,

standing his ground in the face of such aggression.

standing his ground in the face of such aggression.

- (soundless scream) - My father had a fighting spirit...

But he wasn’t a fighter.

But he wasn’t a fighter.

I knew from a young age... that I would be.

(birdsong)

- (groans)

- (groans)

CATESBY: Soon as that horse has been re-shod, we’ll go.

- (urinating) I think we have time for a quick piss!

- Didn’t think you COULD piss quick, you old bastard!

- Didn’t think you COULD piss quick, you old bastard!

- Prick.

I haven’t ridden this fast or this long since I fled Scotland.

I am getting too old for this shite.

I am getting too old for this shite.

- It could be worse. You could be that poor horse of yours.

- (chuckles)

A man of God? Me? No.

I mean, I’m not... always.

I mean, I’m not... always.

I was born into a family of Catholics, but, er,

I was born into a family of Catholics, but, er,

I did enjoy dabbling in the guiltier pleasures that life has to offer.

But then I married a Catholic, and her mother were hardcore.

But then I married a Catholic, and her mother were hardcore.

I mean, she hid priests and the like.

Every time I saw her, she had her rosary beads in her hand.

Come to think of it, perhaps it was, er, seeing me

that compelled her to get onto her knees and pray.

Mardy old cow.

Mardy old cow.

At that time, I began working for the Earl of Northumberland,

collecting rent and so forth.

collecting rent and so forth.

We’re related to one another, but he’s worth a hell of a lot more!

(door thuds shut) - I never stole from him.

(door thuds shut) - I never stole from him.

I just... charged a little extra for my troubles.

I wasn’t all taking coin off of old ladies.

I wasn’t all taking coin off of old ladies.

Northumberland had a real problem keeping the Scots

from raiding his lands.

And I tell you something, it wasn’t the Earl who was out

And I tell you something, it wasn’t the Earl who was out

till all hours stopping them.

One of them came at me with a knife, and, er...

I mean, the thing is, I was a different person back then.

I mean, the thing is, I was a different person back then.

I beat that poor sod over and over,

battering him and battering him.

battering him and battering him.

Yeah, I killed him.

(distant hooves) - Horsemen!

(distant hooves) - Horsemen!

CATESBY: It’s just Jack.

Jack, where’ve you been?

- Of all the fine horses you have, you give me that bloody mule!

Can’t pass an inn without stopping. - Sounds like my kind of animal.

We should swap. - You’re on.

- Did you hear anything at the inns?

- Bits and pieces. The patrons certainly weren’t friends of mine,

so I didn’t linger. But there were...

I heard a lot of talk about a group of men who tried to kill the King.

I heard a lot of talk about a group of men who tried to kill the King.

- Did they mention any names? - Not that I heard,

but they were fearful.

They’re scared the Catholics intent to rally and raise a rebellion.

They’re scared the Catholics intent to rally and raise a rebellion.

- And they’re right to be scared.

- Any sign of reinforcements?

- Well, you got the rest of our lot not far behind, but, er...

I was on higher ground earlier

and I saw a group of men on horseback headed this way.

At least 50, likely more. But they were a good way off, though.

- Fifty? We’ll need more men than that.

- And we’ll get them, Thomas! This is just the beginning.

- And we’ll get them, Thomas! This is just the beginning.

Soon we’ll have ourselves an army.

(thunder rumbles)

(thunder rumbles)

- Let’s hope the rain discourages anyone on our tail.

(ominous music)

(ominous music)

VAUX: Word of the plot spread like wildfire.

VAUX: Word of the plot spread like wildfire.

Catholics suddenly became a real threat

to the Protestant majority and the King’s rule.

(chain rattling)

VAUX: After two days of interrogation in the Tower,

VAUX: After two days of interrogation in the Tower,

Fawkes had still not even revealed his real name.

But the King’s spymaster, Robert Cecil,

But the King’s spymaster, Robert Cecil,

was desperate to extract a confession.

King James calls Cecil his Little Beagle.

But Cecil is powerful, he’s ruthless,

But Cecil is powerful, he’s ruthless,

and he’s determined to extinguish the Catholic faith.

- What is your name?

- John... Johnson.

- Well, John Johnson,

- Well, John Johnson,

it would appear that we have a lot to discuss.

- All I have to say... (breathing heavily)

..is I deeply regret...

..is I deeply regret...

not succeeding. (scoffs)

- Such bravado.

Let’s see how you feel after a little more persuasion.

VAUX: The King had ordered that if Fawkes would not confess

VAUX: The King had ordered that if Fawkes would not confess

under interrogation, the so-called gentler tortures

were to be used first.

(chains clank) - (groans)

(chains clank) - (groans)

(groans and gasps)

(grunts and gasps)

(grunts and gasps)

(breathing heavily)

(door bangs shut)

- Taking away a man’s liberty changes him...

..permanently.

I was charged with murder in 1596.

I was only sent down for a brief spell,

thanks to the Earl of Essex.

thanks to the Earl of Essex.

It’s not what you know, it’s WHO you know.

I told the guards that I was a devout Catholic,

really just to annoy them.

really just to annoy them.

But, er, they put me in with the other papists.

They were serving far heavier sentences for a lot less...

They were serving far heavier sentences for a lot less...

..you know, not attending church,

unable to pay their fines.

Poor John was on the hangman’s list,

for being suspected of being a bloody pr...

I mean, I ask you!

I’d killed a man, taken his life.

I’d killed a man, taken his life.

When the guards were asleep,

John would lead the others in quiet prayer.

John would lead the others in quiet prayer.

You know, I didn’t want to refuse them.

My participation seemed to give them hope.

My participation seemed to give them hope.

It was like they believed that if they could save a soul

as rotten as mine, maybe there was a chance for the rest of them.

In the end, it... it brought me great solace.

A greater strength than I’d ever known.

A greater strength than I’d ever known.

(grunting, thunder and rain)

WINTOUR: Come on! Push!

PERCY: You couldn’t have chosen the summer for this, Catesby!

CATESBY: Well, Percy, that would have been far too easy!

CATESBY: Well, Percy, that would have been far too easy!

WINTOUR: Will you two fucking push?

(clatter, horses whinny)

- Oh, crap!

- (others chuckle)

VAUX: State propaganda against Catholics fuels a hatred so toxic

that those who are not openly Protestant

that those who are not openly Protestant

are likely enemies or informants.

WINTOUR: Stop pissing about!

(dark, ominous music)

(dark, ominous music)

(rain pouring)

CATESBY: He’s right, lads. Let’s move on.

CATESBY: He’s right, lads. Let’s move on.

VAUX: To resist and survive requires resilience.

(music concludes)

- Four years ago, I joined the Earl of Essex in a rebellion.

Even though he’s a Protestant, I hoped that if we succeeded,

Even though he’s a Protestant, I hoped that if we succeeded,

that it might bring a greater tolerance to Catholics.

- I take the piss out of Robin, but he is a fierce swordsman.

- I take the piss out of Robin, but he is a fierce swordsman.

His valour is the reason many of the men have followed him here.

WINTOUR: He’s one of those people that you meet them once

WINTOUR: He’s one of those people that you meet them once

and they can piss you off, really piss you off,

but you see them again and they ask you something,

you’re like, "Yeah, I’ll do it."

Even the authorities admitted they admired him.

Even the authorities admitted they admired him.

CATESBY: Well, the rising didn’t last long.

Essex hoped to depose Cecil,

but there could only be one winner.

I, myself, was injured in the fighting and captured.

I, myself, was injured in the fighting and captured.

I spent some time at Her Majesty’s pleasure

and was heavily fined.

I was ruined.

Percy helped me to sell my estate.

Friends and family donated to help me pay off the rest.

Friends and family donated to help me pay off the rest.

They all thought it was the end of me.

But it wasn’t.

But it wasn’t.

(lively street chatter)

- Afternoon.

VAUX: It was a chance encounter that sparked Robin’s idea.

VAUX: It was a chance encounter that sparked Robin’s idea.

Robin! - Percy.

- What are you doing here?

- If I knew they served riff-raff, I wouldn’t have darkened their door.

- Riff-raff. Scoundrels. Even YOU might get a drink.

- Riff-raff. Scoundrels. Even YOU might get a drink.

Two more.

I hadn’t seen Robin since the Essex debacle,

so perhaps we overdid it a bit.

so perhaps we overdid it a bit.

At one stage, I think I agreed to marry my daughter to Catesby’s son.

The finer details are a little hazy,

The finer details are a little hazy,

but I'm pretty sure he got me to overpay on the dowry.

He could sell shit to a pig farmer, that man.

He could sell shit to a pig farmer, that man.

And he probably has.

- Our conversation turned to the new Scottish King.

Now, it’s important to understand that my father’s generation

Now, it’s important to understand that my father’s generation

had fought their entire lives to put James’ mother,

Mary Queen of Scots, on the throne.

Mary Queen of Scots, on the throne.

So, when James ascended, yeah, you could say we had high hopes,

that laws against Catholics would be relaxed.

- You know, Northumberland had me travel to Scotland

to deliver his secret letters to James when he was King up there.

I mean, he bloody knew that that Jock would replace Elizabeth

I mean, he bloody knew that that Jock would replace Elizabeth

when she finally fucking croaked.

I’m telling you, Robin, I was stood as close to James as you are to me.

That fucking liar looked me in the eye, shook my hand

That fucking liar looked me in the eye, shook my hand

and swore that he was gonna get rid of the anti-Catholic laws.

If he was here, I’d fucking kill him with my own hands.

- You know what, Percy.

I want to do something about it.

I’m going to do something about it.

Well, our Percy’s an acquired taste, but he’s a loyal friend.

Well, our Percy’s an acquired taste, but he’s a loyal friend.

And I knew action needed to be taken.

The more extreme the action, the more extreme the person required.

The more extreme the action, the more extreme the person required.

That is why I recruited Thomas Percy that day.

- I thought, finally! Someone with a big brain and a big set of balls

- I thought, finally! Someone with a big brain and a big set of balls

who’s prepared to do something.

I thought, "This is what I’ve been bloody waiting for!"

- In his coronation oath,

- In his coronation oath,

King James swore to protect us all as his children.

It was a contract with his people.

It was a contract with his people.

He broke his contract.

So now his reign must come to an end.

When the King attends the opening of Parliament...

..we’ll blow the place to hell.

FAWKES: It’s been a while since I’ve been to Westminster.

That would take a serious amount of powder.

That would take a serious amount of powder.

- We have time. And I will raise the funds,

I guarantee you that.

- How do we gain access to Parliament?

Fawkes can’t cart a ton of gunpowder in

Fawkes can’t cart a ton of gunpowder in

on the day of a state opening.

- Right. I suppose that’s where I come in...

- Right. I suppose that’s where I come in...

My day job comes with certain privileges.

I can rent property on parliament grounds

I can rent property on parliament grounds

on behalf of my patron the Earl of Northumberland.

You know what, I might be able to do one better than that.

Northumberland is in charge of the King’s bodyguards.

Northumberland is in charge of the King’s bodyguards.

If I were to become one of these "Gentleman Pensioners",

I’d have the freedom to rent any property I like, no questions asked.

I’d have the freedom to rent any property I like, no questions asked.

CATESBY: This was never about vengeance. (scoffs)

It isn’t simply to punish those who have wronged us.

No, our oppression has become institutionalised,

No, our oppression has become institutionalised,

and my plan would have removed both head of state and government

in one fell swoop.

And then, with the country in disarray,

And then, with the country in disarray,

we would fill the void with allies.

And then we could be free.

- If, and it’s a pretty fucking big IF, this was successful,

the King and the Government lying dead under all that rubble,

what next? CATESBY: What next?

We replace the monarch with a legitimate heir.

We replace the monarch with a legitimate heir.

Someone accepted by the population but easily controlled by us.

FAWKES: Does such an heir exist? WINTOUR: James’ sons live in London

FAWKES: Does such an heir exist? WINTOUR: James’ sons live in London

and they are well protected.

But his daughter, Princess Elizabeth...

She lives in the Midlands with much less security.

- Well, how do we convince her to bend to our will?

- Well, how do we convince her to bend to our will?

- We’ll have Catholics ready to step into positions of power.

They’ll form a new government, which will advise her

and rid us of these draconian laws.

and rid us of these draconian laws.

Gentlemen, we’ll have the gunpowder.

We’ll have the chaos.

And we’ll have the monarch.

And we’ll have the monarch.

- Of course it was mad. The whole bloody world’s mad!

- Of course it was mad. The whole bloody world’s mad!

Fuck ‘em!

(door creaks open)

PERCY: Fawkes and I were tasked with blowing up Parliament.

PERCY: Fawkes and I were tasked with blowing up Parliament.

It’s a hell of a job! But no-one knows Fawkes in London,

so he had the freedom of the City,

and with my newly negotiated promotion, I had the keys.

and with my newly negotiated promotion, I had the keys.

WINTOUR: When Percy managed to rent a cellar under the House of Lords,

it was hard not to get the feeling that someone was on our side.

it was hard not to get the feeling that someone was on our side.

CATESBY: Fawkes calculated we needed at least 30 barrels of gunpowder

and a shit ton of wood to bring the house of tyranny down.

and a shit ton of wood to bring the house of tyranny down.

I managed to beg, borrow and steal 36 by the time we were finished.

Well, there’s no going back now.

Well, there’s no going back now.

LITTLETON: Welcome to Holbeche House.

Come on in, the fire will be on, and you can all dry off.

Come on in, the fire will be on, and you can all dry off.

PERCY: Littleton’s certainly eager to impress, don’t you think?

WRIGHT: Maybe he likes you, Percy. PERCY: That'd be a first.

WINTOUR: You won’t want his beer, then!

WINTOUR: You won’t want his beer, then!

PERCY: Ha! That would be a first! - (Wright chuckles)

VAUX: Robin’s men knew all too well

that the stakes of getting caught were high.

- (grunts and groans)

- Fawkes spent the next six months

carting in barrels hidden under wood,

carting in barrels hidden under wood,

right under everyone’s noses.

So that by the 4th of November,

I’d helped him pile all the gunpowder in place.

I’d helped him pile all the gunpowder in place.

That night, he went back to lay a slow fuse.

He didn’t need me for that.

He didn’t need me for that.

And, er, yeah, that was the last time I saw him.

- Don’t embarrass me. Get some food on.

Empty the pantry if you have to.

Empty the pantry if you have to.

- (sighs)

Oh, I’ve been looking forward to this moment all day.

Oh, I’ve been looking forward to this moment all day.

PERCY: It’s the simple things...

I wasn’t sure when we’d get a chance

to warm ourselves by the hearth again.

to warm ourselves by the hearth again.

Don’t even! - (chuckles)

(Fawkes grunts)

(poker sizzles, Fawkes wails in agony)

- Fawkes has been in the Tower for two days.

- If he’s still alive.

- If he was dead, we’d know.

They’d make a song and dance about it.

- They’ll want to keep him alive anyway, first to interrogate him,

then to make an example of him.

- Can I get you gentlemen anything

while we wait for some food to be prepared?

- Any wine going?

- Thank you.

- I wouldn’t like to... guess how long I’d last in the Tower.

- I wouldn’t like to... guess how long I’d last in the Tower.

- Well, I think the thumb screws would do it, Digby.

Listen to him! I suppose if they had you disembowelled,

Listen to him! I suppose if they had you disembowelled,

you still wouldn’t talk! - (all chuckle)

- Never! - (all chuckle)

- No. Of all of us, Fawkes is the last one who’d talk.

- You know who’ll be the one pouring over anything he does say,

desperate for any nugget of information.

Cecil.

Cecil.

(tense music builds)

(tense music builds)

VAUX: Dedicated to Protestant supremacy,

like his father before him,

Cecil runs a secret service that rivals any in history.

- (whispers indistinctly)

VAUX: He has informants everywhere, decoding communications,

VAUX: He has informants everywhere, decoding communications,

infiltrating households,

uncovering the threat from abroad

and exposing the enemy within.

(door creaks open)

- (breathing heavily)

VAUX: But where Cecil really excels

is in the creation of propaganda to generate fear.

is in the creation of propaganda to generate fear.

GUARD: Sign it!

- (groans)

VAUX: Fear has the power to manipulate a population.

VAUX: Fear has the power to manipulate a population.

A confession from Fawkes would be very valuable

in giving a name to the evil in their midst.

LITTLETON: I found the map.

We’ve had it for years, but it should still be fairly accurate.

We’ve had it for years, but it should still be fairly accurate.

VAUX: Littleton’s invitation to stay at Holbeche House

gave the men a safe house,

but they knew they wouldn’t be safe there for long.

WINTOUR: So we're here.

Wales is a three-day ride.

Wales is a three-day ride.

- Well, then, we should leave in the morning.

Now we have plenty of friends en route through Herefordshire.

Now we have plenty of friends en route through Herefordshire.

Did you all hear about the riots there last summer

after a vicar refused to bury a Catholic?

And then off to Monmouthshire. I’ve written to a Jesuit mission there

And then off to Monmouthshire. I’ve written to a Jesuit mission there

and they are just waiting for a moment like this.

We’ll be in good hands.

- We won’t find ourselves in want of assistance in Wales.

- We won’t find ourselves in want of assistance in Wales.

WINTOUR: A rising's been bubbling all along the Welsh Marches

for a long time. - I attended a secret mass.

The congregation must have been 60 people strong.

- And what was the impression of the priest you spoke to there, Digby?

- Well, he was... militant.

- Well, then, we should send word to them too.

Since Fawkes was caught red-handed laying the fuse,

Since Fawkes was caught red-handed laying the fuse,

I’ve been reacting on the move.

We now need to gather a larger army to force a change of government.

We now need to gather a larger army to force a change of government.

From here we’ll ride to Wales, recruiting as we go,

until we reach those hardcore Jesuit priests

and their large congregation, raring for a fight.

and their large congregation, raring for a fight.

And from there, our support will snowball.

- The Welsh are regarded as untrustworthy to the English elite.

- The Welsh are regarded as untrustworthy to the English elite.

They portray them as these savage pagans to justify ruling over them.

They portray them as these savage pagans to justify ruling over them.

But perhaps they’re to be feared?

You see, local priests did invite the Spanish to land in Wales

to help them invade England.

to help them invade England.

- The Welsh barbarians. Their reputation precedes them.

I think we’re going to get on famously.

- Now, reinforcements should be with us by the morning,

but until then, we should gather everyone we can.

Thomas, what about getting Talbot?

What, now?

VAUX: Sir John Talbot was a notorious Catholic noble

VAUX: Sir John Talbot was a notorious Catholic noble

who never hid his faith from the authorities.

- I’ll try my best, but I can’t promise anything.

- I was with him only last week

- I was with him only last week

and he was bemoaning the current situation.

His status will bring us every reluctant Catholic in the country

to our side.

to our side.

He’s critical for us, Thomas.

I trust you to bring him back.

- Mr Talbot's a good man.

He’s a trusted neighbour of mine.

He’s a trusted neighbour of mine.

I could go with Thomas. There’s a shortcut through the forest.

Together we WILL convince him.

- Sounds like a plan.

VAUX: Robin was confident that Talbot would bring an army.

So there was a lot riding on Wintour and Littleton’s mission.

While my friends pushed forward to raise their rebellion,

Cecil’s forces were gathering to hunt down the traitors,

with no shortage of Protestant patriots

with no shortage of Protestant patriots

scrambling to join their ranks.

They tore through villages, looking for any sign of them.

They tore through villages, looking for any sign of them.

PERCY: You alright?

PERCY: You alright?

- Hm. Must have dozed off.

(inhales)

We must stay vigilant.

Don’t lose focus.

We’ll take it in turns to keep watch.

- We... have a problem.

- We... have a problem.

It’s the gunpowder. The rain must have gone into it.

- Christ! This is all we need! - The rest?

- We only opened a few, but it’s too damp to be of any use.

- We only opened a few, but it’s too damp to be of any use.

- Well, can we dry it? - It’s a November night, Robin.

You need warm sunshine and lots of it!

- Well, what use is muskets without any ammunition?

- Well, what use is muskets without any ammunition?

- Thank you, Digby.

- Look, this is gonna sound mad, but I’m gonna say it anyway.

- Look, this is gonna sound mad, but I’m gonna say it anyway.

My old man used to dry his gunpowder by the fire.

- You’re determined to blow something up, aren’t you, Jack?

- You’re determined to blow something up, aren’t you, Jack?

- No, no. It was only a small amount, enough for his musket,

but... it worked.

Great. Well, if we were careful and kept it well back from the fire,

then maybe.

- Seriously? - Yes, Percy.

- Seriously? - Yes, Percy.

Fetch the rest.

VAUX: There was a point in Robin’s life

where he attempted to put his Catholic beliefs to one side.

where he attempted to put his Catholic beliefs to one side.

CATESBY: Believe it or not, I didn’t always seek out drama.

There was a time when I had a quiet life.

There was a time when I had a quiet life.

I certainly know what first attracted me to Catherine.

That was the easy part.

But it was her feisty nature that drew me in.

She wasn’t afraid to not play by the rules.

Catherine’s family were... prominent Protestants...

Catherine’s family were... prominent Protestants...

..who had higher hopes for her than a courtship with a Catesby.

Now, while I may have been eligible in Catholic circles,

Now, while I may have been eligible in Catholic circles,

to Protestants, we were nothing more than...

..radical troublemakers.

..radical troublemakers.

Lucky for me, Catherine saw through those falsehoods.

They say love does strange things to a man.

It certainly broke my resistance.

See, I’d grown up looking over my shoulder,

fearful, my father absent.

fearful, my father absent.

I didn’t want to burden my own family with that.

But Queen Elizabeth certainly made that decision easier for me.

But Queen Elizabeth certainly made that decision easier for me.

Her wedding gift was the passing of a new law,

Her wedding gift was the passing of a new law,

banning anyone who refused to attend Protestant church

from travelling more than five miles from their home...

..and fining them for their pains. I mean...

..and fining them for their pains. I mean...

Very few Catholics can afford to pay the crippling monthly fines,

so most are left with two options -

so most are left with two options -

give up our faith entirely...

or play the game, cross our fingers

and say our Hail Marys afterwards.

and say our Hail Marys afterwards.

After everything my father endured,

I did feel a great sense of shame, living outwardly as a Protestant.

I did feel a great sense of shame, living outwardly as a Protestant.

But it was always an act.

My wife and my father passed the same year.

Now, was I being punished for turning my back on my true faith?

Now, was I being punished for turning my back on my true faith?

Oh my God...

Oh my God...

In the weeks and months that followed,

In the weeks and months that followed,

I was at my lowest ebb.

My son was... six years old.

My son was... six years old.

Bless him.

I wasn’t much use to him.

But life goes on...

But life goes on...

..and I found solace in my true faith.

And It became clear to me that my holiday as a Protestant was over.

And It became clear to me that my holiday as a Protestant was over.

(lock turning)

(lock turning)

- (grunts)

- (grunts)

No! No!

(gasping) I’ll talk.

(gasping) I’ll talk.

I’ll talk.

Fawkes.

Fawkes.

My name is...

My name is Guido Fawkes.

CATESBY: I know well what carrying on my father’s legacy means.

But tell me, what do they expect?

But tell me, what do they expect?

I’ve been forced to sell my home,

my son is being brought up by my mother,

whilst I'm branded a traitor and spied on.

whilst I'm branded a traitor and spied on.

Enough is enough.

(clatter of hooves)

(clatter of hooves)

VAUX: They needed to get to Wales to gather more troops,

and if they were to outrun their pursuers,

they needed to leave at first light.

they needed to leave at first light.

(fire crackling)

- We should have played for money.

I’d have enough to buy my estate back by now.

- Well, I’m not stupid enough to bet on the outcome.

- Well, I’m not stupid enough to bet on the outcome.

I’m well aware of your training school for silly board games.

DIGBY: Training school?

CATESBY: Wisbech Prison when I was a boy.

CATESBY: Wisbech Prison when I was a boy.

It was the only game with all of its pieces intact.

I played my father, and when he got bored of me,

I played my father, and when he got bored of me,

I’d play my uncle. And then I’d take on the priests.

They were the biggest cheats of the lot.

(fire spits and crackles)

- I’ve never, er,

stepped foot inside of a prison.

stepped foot inside of a prison.

I’d like to keep it that way for as long as possible.

- You have nothing to fear, Digby,

We have no plans to return to prison.

- Besides, you’ve plenty of money.

- Besides, you’ve plenty of money.

I mean, you could live like a king in prison.

- (chuckles)

WRIGHT: I think... it’s working.

Should be done by morning.

- Your old man wasn’t as silly as he looked.

- He knew YOU were a wrong 'un!

- He knew YOU were a wrong 'un!

He tried his best to keep my sister away from you.

She always did have bad taste... I’m having a piss.

- I’ll have you know that Martha and I were very happy... for a time.

- I’ll have you know that Martha and I were very happy... for a time.

Oh, fuck off!

DIGBY: Robin... - Hm?

DIGBY: Robin... - Hm?

- Why WERE you in prison as a boy?

- I didn’t do anything. Other than be born.

- I didn’t do anything. Other than be born.

During the Armada, Elizabeth had...

several influential Catholics locked up,

you know, just in case they were in cahoots with the Spanish.

you know, just in case they were in cahoots with the Spanish.

- I was well used to them coming for my father,

but it was the first time that they had considered me

a threat to national security.

a threat to national security.

- They weren’t all stupid pricks, then!

(rubble settles, flames crackle)

(dog barks)

(dog barks)

CATESBY: This disease requires a remedy this sharp.

- What the fuck happened?

- What the fuck happened?

CECIL: No more games! - I acted alone.

- Get this fucker on the rack, and do not relent until he breaks.

CATESBY: All they're waiting for is someone or something to believe in.

We can be that symbol.

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