Kenau

Spain is the most powerful country in the world

Devout Catholic King Philip II plunges Europe into a holy war.

Governor Alva sends his son Don Fadrique de Toledo to lead an army.

He advances from the south and takes city after city.

Prince William of Orange leads a revolt.

Zutphen goes up in flames.

Utrecht and Amsterdam remain catholic and bow to the Spanish will.

Haarlem faces a difficult decision.

Wait! It doesn't have a flag!

Stop! Pull!

Haul her up!

For good luck.

Well, Mrs Simons Hasselaer, I see my mast is up.

Can I finally set sail?

You'll need more than an erect mast to take her out to sea, Mr Duyff.

I asked for those letters in gold.

And the deck made of teak, the fittings of silver...

and the sails of silk! How could I forget?

Aren't you living beyond your means? - None of your business.

Not another nail is going into that ship until Mr Duyff has paid.

STOP. stop!

Mother!

Go on.

October 1572

Gentlemen, all hope is not lost.

The city is in a strategic location. - Unthinkable!

It is certainly not unthinkable. We could resist an enemy attack.

Mr Mayor, we only have a couple of thousand able-bodied men.

A couple of thousand! - Against the Spanish? Hopeless.

The Prince of Orange offers assistance. - Really? What kind of assistance?

The Prince can send troops. Our task is to mobilise the city.

He strongly urges you to revolt.

Your Prince does not need to urge us, Mr Van Sint-Aldegonde.

We will negotiate.

The city of Zutphen...

also thought it could negotiate.

Lord, we thank you for food and drink and for everything you give us.

In the name of the mother, her daughters...

...and the Holy Ghost, Amen.

Look, if you use beetroot juice the cloth turns a deeper red.

And when I add some alum the colour stays beautiful.

Tomorrow I'll dye an entire sheet and make it into a new dress.

Are you coming?

Are you okay?

Good.

I need your help. Have I got the workload right?

Kenau.

Thank you.

You would have done the same. If you could swim.

Where is your sister? - She isn't coming.

Mrs Simons Hasselaer?

Wigbolt Ripperda, envoy to the Prince.

You must be Gertruide.

No, I'm Kathelijne. - What do you want?

They tell me you have a lot of wood. We need it to fortify the city gates.

My wood is for sale.

The Prince has invested all he has. - I run a business, not a charity.

If Haarlem does not revolt you won't have a business at all.

The revolt is a foolish idea.

Our city walls and gates are crumbling. We want to negotiate and keep working.

Ma'am, negotiation is futile. - My foreman will take your order. Jacob!

They say the Spanish could be at the gates in a few weeks.

I would hate for there to be a revolt. - There won't be.

Well, the Prince's envoy says... - He needs to mind his own business.

Sure, keep stuffing your belly. There should be something else in there.

Delicious!

...a new St Peter, up to the heavens, while the powerful bathe in wealth.

This must end!

We have to resist Popish decadence and corruption.

And no more praying to saints!

A true Christian knows he is a saint himself!

And we, the ordinary people, must reclaim our faith. Down with the Catholics!

His Word is in the Bible.

This is the only truth.

And the Bible belongs to all believers, not in Latin, but in our own tongue...

...in Dutch. Compassion, love, purity...

Mother.

Ma'am, if we all stand together...

Do what you want, but keep my daughter out of it.

Gertruide is old enough to decide... - It seems she's just as foolish as you.

Stay away from her.

You are not to see that heretic again.

It's Pieter Ripperda, and I love him. - You don't know what you are talking about.

I want to convert to the new faith, like Pieter.

You're a Catholic and you'll stay one until the Spanish are gone.

After that you can do as you please. - Pieter's father says we can beat them.

Haarlem can't beat anyone. The Spanish are going to be in charge.

I think Gertruide... - Stay out of this.

The Prince of Orange...

Leave that German out of it. He has been blinded by naive ideals.

All your ideals are gone, the only thing you believe in is money.

If Papa were still alive...

Then what?

He'd have supported the revolt and paid with his life if he had to.

Papa would have... - He wasn't even your father.

Papa would turn in his grave if he...

You're all dressed.

I'm sorry for what I said about Papa.

Can you remember your real father?

No.

I can't remember Ysbrand either.

When he was still alive, mama smiled a lot more.

He really was her hero.

She'd do anything for him.

Where are you going? - You have to promise not to tell Mama.

Swear you won't.

Swear, or I won't tell.

I'm going to Pieter.

Now?

I want to be his wife and be with him forever.

But you don't have to do that now.

Yes I do. I need to show Mama that I can make my own decisions.

You should do the same.

I love him.

I want to wake up in his arms.

It's me.

Do you know what I want?

You.

There's a group of us going to St Bavo church tonight.

Teach the Catholics a lesson.

Want to come?

Yes.

Is my son here?

I have forbidden my daughter to spend time with your son.

Last night the Bavo church was vandalised.

Some people were arrested and taken to the bishop in Utrecht.

$0?

Perhaps it's a false alarm, but I thought...

You thought what?

I'm afraid my son might have been one of them.

Is Gertruide here?

Kathelijne?

Where is your sister?

Kathelijne!

I promised not to tell.

She...

Your son must have put her up to this, he's dragged her off!

He is following his heart and his convictions, I'm proud of that.

Proud? You must be mad!

Those convictions could get him killed!

Jacob!

You're either cocky or...

...very stupid.

I'm your enemy, more powerful than you.

Within a week my army will be at your gates...

...and then it will all be over in a day.

Our city is in a strategic location hemmed in by the sea, the dunes...

...and by impassable marshland.

A siege could last a very long time.

A siege.

It will be winter soon.

Dutch winters can be very harsh.

A prolonged siege could be costly.

This is a map of our city.

I have marked the weak spots in the wall.

With this, you can enter the city without a problem.

I imagine this information is quite valuable.

A fraction of the cost of a siege.

You've got guts.

A lot of guts.

I've got something else for you...

...that I'm sure you won't be able to resist.

You will have your money. Half now...

...the rest when the city is mine.

You are a wise and brave man, Mr de Toledo.

To Haarlem!

Couldn't he loot the city anyway? Who says he'll keep his word?

Who cares? We'll be long gone.

You can't be serious. - Without his money, we're bankrupt.

You're betraying Haarlem?

You've no idea what you're talking about.

You're welcome to go back to your old life if you prefer.

My wife expresses her gratitude and praises your bold decision.

Good night to you, sir.

You're staying here.

You've lived in luxury thanks to me.

Now it's time to return the favour.

A small sacrifice for the freedom we are buying for ourselves.

And try to look a bit more cheerful.

The Spanish are passionate lovers, or so I'm told.

In name of King Philip ll...

...we will witness the burning of these Protestant heretics...

...who have denied the one true Church...

...and thereby his Holiness the Pope.

Pieter...

Gertruide! - Mama!

Pieter! Pieter!

Gertruide, repeat the words!

Denounce your errors and repent. - Gertruide, please, say the words!

Pieter! Pieter!

My daughter is not a heretic. She's Catholic.

In God's name, have mercy.

I'm begging you. She is still so young.

Please!

Come, come...

We're leaving.

Mama...

The priest was listening to me. I could have convinced him...

...if I'd had more time.

There was no hope for her.