King & Conqueror

This programme contains prolonged violent scenes from the start and some strong language

MEN SHOUT

MAN SCREAMS

William!

Harold!

INJURED MEN GROAN AND COUGH

HE WINCES

Any time would be good.

- Do you want it done fast or well? - I want it finished.

If you insist on walking into swords, my Lord,

- there's not much I can... - There were three of them, Fitz,

- all at the same time. - Lucky it wasn't four, then, hmm?

If you were half as quick with your sword as you are with your wit...

William, you're hurt.

My Lord, I have to finish with your arm.

It's nothing.

Aye, Matilda.

You've received an invitation.

To where?

England.

Your cousin Edward is their new king.

He's about to be crowned.

You've been invited to the coronation.

They want me to travel all the way to it?

Apparently they do.

When did you last have any word from them?

I don't think I've ever had word from them.

I knew them briefly when they were here in exile,

but Edward and I were just children.

What do you think they want?

No idea.

What do I know of England?

FLIES BUZZ

It's a fucking massacre.

Harold, what's going on?

HE STRAINS

The sword!

Tostig, take a look at this. What do you think?

- The metal? - The grind is pretty rough.

It's not ours.

- Mercia? - Mercia.

But why would Mercia break the peace agreement?

They'd forfeit everything to the Crown.

Exactly, which is why we have to tell Father.

Tostig, where's Sweyn?

He's invited himself to another wedding.

Sweyn, are you in there?

Yes.

SWEYN CHUCKLES

I didn't know you were invited.

I very much doubt you were invited.

Sweyn, what have you been doing?

Deflowering the bride, as is my right as a Lord.

I'm sure Father will be thrilled.

- Father doesn't need to know about it. - That you're an embarrassment?

Oh, pull your head out of your arse, Harold!

Your blood's no different.

And, besides, she loved every minute of it.

I'm not getting into this with you.

I just found the remains of a Mercian raid.

Don't be stupid.

There was an attack on a Dover road this morning.

The Mercians crossed our border in violation of the peace agreement.

How do you know it was Mercians?

- We found their swords. - Shut up, Tostig.

- Find my boots. - Father needs to know about it,

so you and I need to be in agreement, or he won't listen.

So when I tell him, you're going to back me up.

Got it?

- Yes, I've got it. - Good.

BOOTS DROP ON THE FLOOR

Unbelievable.

If Father gets to hear about this...

..I'll do you harder than I did her.

Good boy.

MUSICIAN SINGS SOFTLY

- Shit. - Greetings, Odo.

Oh! William. I was just, er...

..taking a piss.

Hiding in the forest until the battle was over?

Oh, no. And I'm shocked,

shocked you think such an appalling thing of your brother.

Half-brother.

- Well... - I saw you slope off into those trees yesterday morning.

Well, I was just, er...

Look, you swore to our mother on her death-bed

that you'd take care of me,

so keeping out of battles means I'm just, er,

sparing you the unnecessary worry.

How charitable.

Yeah, that's me.

HORN BLOWS

What the hell is that?

That is the sound of a king.

- Oh, can I come? - No. No.

What a day, my boy.

No ceremony.

What a glorious day for the finest son of Normandy.

- It's been too long. - Always too long.

How time escapes us, eh?

Why are we not together more?

Because all you ever do is hunt, night and day.

What else is a king to do with his time? Fight wars?

That's your game, William, and you're far better at it than me.

Well, you used to be.

- What happened to the arm? - Just giving it a rest.

Uncle.

What are you doing outside of France?

I've been reliably informed you've gone to war with Guy of Brionne.

I've come to see his head.

- Do you have it? - We've got him bound and gagged.

- I'll get a good ransom for him. - My Lord.

Your Majesty.

You have to see this.

We may have lost him.

- Guy? - Yes.

Fuck.

It's over here.

I'm fine.

Get up!

Explain.

Guy flew into a frenzy.

Ripped his arm right down to the bone to get out.

He's gone.

I saw it with my own eyes.

He's gone.

My eyes see blood here.

I don't see blood where his wrists were ripped

right down to the bone.

- My Lord... - Hmm? Came to an arrangement?

No.

- Payment for freedom? - My Lord, I am not your enemy. - No.

Not any more.

Sloppy, William.

I will dispatch men to find Guy and rectify this disappointment.

He came a long way just to see Guy's head.

I wonder what was inside it.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

The Mercians are crossing our borders to raid.

That's impossible.

That is Mercian iron, Father.

Tostig and I saw a massacre with our own eyes.

- It was Mercians. - It's madness, is what this is.

You won't accept what is right in front of you?

Just as the three earldoms have finally agreed to peace,

you're saying that the Mercians have decided to throw it all away?

- I'm telling you what I know. - Hmm.

What do you think, Sweyn?

Yeah, well, I think you're right, Father.

I think it is madness.

HAROLD EXHALES

Huh.

Father, I will prove it. Let me bring you proof.

By crossing the border and breaking the peace yourself?

Another ten years of civil war, is that what you want?

- They've already broken the peace agreement. Here! - Look!

Do you think I wouldn't see it?

Hmm?

Four kings, four, I've served as Earl of Wessex,

and I never broke my word to any of them.

That's how this family survives, Harold.

Because we can be trusted.

That's how we maintain control.

You control the earls, and you control England.

Now, Edward has married your sister,

and in return, my influence has made him King,

and that is our deal.

And that will put Wessex blood on the throne,

and nothing can jeopardise that - nothing!

All this? They're just bandits, Harold.

Now the coronation is looming, watch yourself.

Mother.

Be careful.

Why do you rile Harold like that?

He does have a breaking point.

It's because he doesn't listen.

It's Harold that needs your encouragement, not Sweyn,

and if he has something to say, you need to hear him out.

What if he's right, Godwin?

Have you considered that?

Harold fears the worst, that's all.

It's a good quality for a leader,

but not while we're at peace.

Peace needs the bigger picture.

And what about Tostig?

Don't be daft, woman.

Tostig's yours.

HE CHUCKLES QUIETLY

Come on, people want a feast for this coronation.

HE SINGS

ALL SING ALONG

You are not seriously considering going to England?

Edward is William's cousin.

And about to become an English king.

A foreign king.

That makes him an enemy, can you not see?

I can see it makes him your enemy.

My enemies are your enemies.

I disagree, Uncle.

Matilda.