World Without End

I didn't think you'd ever come back.

Now comes the great mortality.

It truly is a sign that God is not happy.

- We're leaving Kingsbridge and this terrible plague behind. - We are needed here.

And if the mortality takes our lives, that's God's business.

Brother... we took it with us.

- You are the new prior. - Eminence, I... I am prior?

When this is over, you're mine.

: Do you think any of them will still be alive when we get there?

: Brother Joseph said that only a few had died

when he left.

Do you think I'm being mercenary?

No, it's the priory's money, and Godwyn stole it.

But how do we know it's even there?

Well, Godwyn's there, and wherever Godwyn goes...

We should be there by this time tomorrow.

You're a fine cook, Merthin.

One learns when one lives alone.

Why are you smiling?

It just all suddenly seems so real.

What does?

My hospice.

Your hospice? I have to design

and build it. I rather thought of it as ours.

Oh.

Where is Brother Matthias?

He's taking a long time, don't you think?

Thank you for coming.

Why did you ask me?

We need you. And you're one of the few people I trust.

And you still trust me, now that we're...

alone, at night,

in the forest?

Don't tease me, Merthin.

I'm tempting, not teasing.

A prior is not easily tempted.

You're no ordinary prior.

And I'm no ordinary temptation.

- Stop it. They'll be back. - Which is why

I must be direct.

I'll go.

Is everything all right?

Yes. It was nothing.

Good night.

Good night.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

Forgive me.

What? What is it?

Terrible news.

Get out.

Get out!

What?

Tell me.

The Princess Joan

passing through France on her way to Castile...

met the great mortality.

She is dead.

No! No!

No!

Here we are at last.

There's someone in here.

It's the fumes of our excrement

to ward off the disease.

It saved me.

The others wouldn't listen.

That's something your infidel physicians don't know.

Whose grave is outside?

It's Brother Saul. He was the first to die.

And you'll join him soon if you don't join me.

Please, come.

Where's the priory's money, Godwyn?

I ate it.

I think it better if we keep this to ourselves.

What will we do with him?

Bring him back with us, I'm afraid.

But we must first give these people a Christian burial.

Absolutely.

What are you doing?

No, this is holy ground!

No! N-No, no!

No! Give it to me! No! No!

Stop! Get off him!

Get off of him!

Get off!

He bit me. He bit me!

: I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

Come along, sister.

Give us a moment.

Sam.

I'm sorry I wasn't there to help.

There was nothing anyone could do.

That was the hardest part.

He asked for you in the end.

What did you tell him?

That you had gone to fetch Mother Caris

and would be back soon.

He said he would... he would try to wait.

I'm so sorry.

I'm sorry.

Why isn't anyone ploughing these fields?

Too many peasants have died.

Well, we'll all be starving by winter if someone doesn't plant something soon.

What kind of lord allows his lands to lie fallow?

It's not up to a lord. It's up to the prior of Kingsbridge.

These lands belong to the priory.

They're yours.

Right. And where on earth am I going to find workers, hmm?

Offer an incentive.

That would make the neighbouring lords furious.

You seriously advocate going against custom?

But these are uncustomary times, aren't they?

If the people are to survive the winter,

some things must change.

Greetings, friends.

As acting prior, I'm not sanctioned to say mass,

but I can speak to you from my heart.

In the name of the Father and of the Son,

- and of the Holy Spirit... - (people): Amen.

Why has God seen fit to punish us?

Because of our sins? Then why

take children?

God's purpose, it's always hidden.

It's only now beginning to reveal itself.

This is the end of the old world.

And it may be the beginning of a new one.

And so...

as prior of Kingsbridge, and with the agreement of Brother Thomas,

I have decided to offer

an honest wage to anyone who will farm our newly fallow lands.

- Mother Caris. - Gwenda!

What brings you here?

Wulfric and I...

want to be wed.

Congratulations!

Oh, that's wonderful.

And we'd like you to marry us, if that's allowed.

- Well, I'd be delighted. - And will you give us land to farm, like you promised?

Well, it's priory land, Gwenda.

You work for Lord Ralph. You do realize that

it's against the law to leave him without his permission.

You said that it's the beginning of a new world.

Doesn't that mean laws will be broken?

Yes.

- Yes, it does. - Will you, Wulfric,

take Gwenda as your lawful wife,

to love and honour from this day forward?

- I will. - Will you, Gwenda,

take Wulfric as your lawful husband, to love, honour

- from this day forward? - I will.

- Ma, where are we going? - Hush. I'll tell you later.

Please, tell me. I want to know.

Now, Sam, we're leaving Wigleigh to work

on Prior Caris' fields.

: Who goes there?

Yes, sister?

Mother Caris of Kingsbridge. I was sent for.

Earl Roland.

Lord.

You.

I've come to bring you comfort.

You... are a witch!

Keep her away from me!

Distribute these.

Everyone in Shiring Castle must wear a mask.

Don't listen to her!

: Rest your head.

- Don't listen to her. - (woman): Lie quiet, my lord.

Don't listen to her.

: Shh.

Don't listen to her.

Matthias?

Here. Drink.

Is it poison?

Poison? That would be what you deserve.

But, no, I'm a better mother than you are a son.

Drink.

There you are. Where have you been?

I've been sitting by his side all night with no sign of you.

I was called to Shiring Castle. How is he?

The world isn't through with him yet.

What took you to Shiring?

Earl Roland died of the mortality early this morning.

Why the long face?

He killed your father and took his title.

And now your path lies open.

This is a day for rejoicing.

What business is this of yours?

That shouldn't concern you.

Know only that you should have been earl,

and now is your chance to win your title back

and more.

What, just like that?

Oh, no.

There's a game to be played.

When you're ready to learn, I'll be at your service.

What do you mean, "and more"?

Lady Philippa?