Cathedral of the Sea (La catedral del mar)

A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

In the 14th century,

peasants lived bound to their feudal lords and unprotected by any law.

Their dignity was constantly trampled

and they could only be free by fleeing to the cities,

which grew in conflict with nobility's power.

In Barcelona, the rising bourgeoisie established some institutions

that tried to stop the abuses of kings and nobles,

and erected buildings that have been standing for centuries.

The church of Santa Maria del Mar, in the district of La Ribera,

wasn't built by kings or bishops, but by the people.

This is the story of one of the men who made that dream possible.

Navarcles, two days away from barcelona, 1319

You are crazy, Estanyol. You're out of your mind.

Master Esteve, what happened?

Your father, Bernat. One of those fits of his.

I offer to do the harvest with him

and he tells me I'm trying to steal from him.

If you ever touch my land, I'll kill you.

He's getting worse every day.

You should do something.

Just the two of you here, with no help.

We get by.

You're not a kid anymore, Bernat.

At your age, you should have grandsons already.

What did that rascal tell you?

- Pere Esteve was just trying to help. - That's a lie.

Stealing our land bit by bit, that's what he really wants.

He told you again you should marry, right?

It doesn't matter what he told me, Father.

All my savings went to your sister's dowry.

First her share and then yours.

Her husband needed it to set up shop in Barcelona.

And I told you it was fine by me.

I shouldn't have done that. You had a right to marry as well.

The opportunity did not arise.

I did wrong. A part of that money was yours.

It doesn't matter whose money that was.

And besides, we have the land.

Your father was a good man.

Although some people thought he was crazy, he was a good man.

What will you do now?

You need a wife, Bernat.

She's hardworking, she will run the household,

she will help you with the land and the livestock.

And she's very strong: she'll give you a lot of children.

If you marry my Francesca, you will never want for anything.

Come here, my child.

Congratulations, Bernat. Take good care of her.

To the bride and groom!

Tell me again.

I want to hear it once more.

I, Francesca Esteve,

give my heart to you, Bernat Estanyol,

as your lawful wife,

and take yours as lawful husband.

And I,

Bernat Estanyol,

take your heart

and I give you mine.

Forever?

Forever.

You go see His Lordship and stay away from my daughter. You go to your mother.

- What is it? - Do as you're told.

Mom, what's the matter?

Nothing.

Just stay close to me.

Welcome to our house, my Lord.

We're thirsty.

Give us something to drink.

Not you.

I wish to be served by your wife.

No, no, please.

Please, no.

More wine.

Serve them as well.

More.

No! No!

My Lord! Please!

No, no!

Estanyol.

Your turn.

My wife is sick of seeing bastards of mine popping up everywhere.

And I can't stand her whining anymore.

Do your duty as a good Christian husband.

Francesca.

What have they done to you?

Francesca.

No, please. Please, no. Please.

It doesn't look like the newlyweds have consummated the marriage.

I can't, my Lord.

Well, if you couldn't,

I'm sure some of my soldiers will oblige. Right, gentlemen?

No, please. You have no right.

Please.

How dare you?

Are you trying to take advantage of your lord's right to lie with the bride

just to come later with claims and a bastard under your arm?

Is that what you're trying to do?

Tell me! Is that it?

I'm sorry.

We have to do it.

Don't touch me.

If I don't do it, someone else will.

I'm sorry.

Leave me be. Please.

No.

I'm truly sorry. I'm sorry.

The crib is almost done.

How are you feeling?

Why didn't you tell me?

You could have died.

It's our son.

Did you see it?

He has the same birthmark I have.

A mole by the right eye.

We'll call him Arnau.

Eat up, Bellera. It looks like you need strength.

Rumor has it there's one doing the fertilizing of the land,

and another one planting the seed around these parts.

Well, in my land I don't suffer peasants to question my manliness.

Bellera, I would ban moles if I were you.

You. Grab your son and come with us.

Francesca, no!

Francesca! No!

Francesca!

Bernat Estanyol.

Your lord, Llorenç de Bellera,

demands the services of your wife to breastfeed his son.

What do you know about my Arnau?

What are you doing here?

Go away.

Is he all right?

You were my friend.

I'm begging you. I just want to know if he's all right.

Bernat, we've got orders not to tell you anything.

Come.

His Lordship ordered to leave your son there.

Your wife used to breastfeed him to calm him down.

Until His Lordship's Sheriff came.

Your wife struggled, but the Sheriff is strong.

Then, every time Francesca came to breastfeed him,

there were soldiers waiting to abuse her.

And now she barely comes here.

What are you doing?

I'm taking my son with me.

No, Bernat, you can't do that.

Let go of me.

Watch where you're going!

Help!

Guards! Guards!

You, whore, let go of my son!

Come on!

Give her to the troops!

Find him.

Move!

He fled, my Lord.

Burn it to the ground.

Release the dogs.

Arnau.

Arnau, my son.

You must live. You hear me?

Eat, my son. Yes.

Yes.

My Lord.

Did you find him?

We found a steep cliff.

He surely fell off it.

Look until you find him.

And if you don't, spread the word.

Search Manresa, Barcelona, Zaragoza.

Search hell if need be!

Francesca. Francesca.

They haven't found them.

I know the commander well.

He said they died, but he was lying.

Not even His Lordship believed him.

He was lying. I know it.

I will take care of you, Arnau.

I won't let anybody hurt you.

Anybody.

Here we shall be free, my son.

Careful. If a piece is dropped and breaks, your backs will pay the price.

Come on, take the clay inside.

Quickly, or I'll wake you up with my cane.

What do you want?

Is this Grau Puig's workshop?

If you're seeking work, look somewhere else.

I'm related to the master.

Related? A nobody, that's what you are.

- Get lost. - Please.

I said get lost.

Do you understand what I'm saying?

Get out of here, or get kicked out.

And take that devil with you.

Don't call my son that.

I'll teach you to answer back.

Bernat?

Bernat? Is that you?

Guiamona.