Merthin returns to Kingsbridge alone as his wife and son have both died from the plague. He wants Caris to run off with him, but she refuses knowing that Prior Godwin would hang her as a witch if she were to leave the convent. Sir Ralph also returns, knighted by the King, but he is not well receive by Sir Roland who is still the Earl of Shiring. He is also rejected by Phiippa who sees him as a convicted rapist. Gwenda and Wulfric can barely make ends meet but Ralph refuses to help. The plague comes to the village and many die. Caris tends to the sick but Prior Godwin flees almost immediately with only Sir Thomas Langley staying behind. The plague gives Petranilla a opportunity for revenge.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00You
00:30Sisters, welcome home, safely returned, it's good to be back, mother.
00:51We have been praying for you.
00:54Come, what news?
00:57We found the king and we found war.
00:58I'm not going to any of that, Jane.
00:59I'm afraid that you can't.
01:00It's worse than anything that my mind can conjure.
01:07God is testing us all, it seems.
01:09Whilst you were away, Prager Godwin has begun work on his palace.
01:14With our gold?
01:15With our gold, yes.
01:17Then our journey wasn't without purpose.
01:21This will stop him.
01:22It's a mere scribble on the back of an old map.
01:26Easterly written on the battlefield.
01:29It orders you to return our stolen money so that we can build our hospice.
01:32I don't see the royal seal.
01:35That's because it's kept in England.
01:37If you doubt its authenticity, the king will give his word.
01:43In person?
01:44Even if it is authentic, which I doubt very much, he won't come to King's Bridge to enforce
01:49it.
01:50No, but he suggests that he will.
01:53And you would lose your position, cousin.
01:55And with any luck, your head.
02:05He's a king.
02:07And you're a nun.
02:11What could you have possibly done to make him give you this?
02:16I'm sure you'll think of something.
02:19Prior.
02:21Thank you, Sister Carys.
02:23Stop construction now.
02:28I've just had my eyes opened to the way the world works.
02:31That was war.
02:33Men killing each other for power or land.
02:35Not only each other.
02:37Women, children, animals.
02:41I can't even pretend to believe anymore.
02:45In what?
02:49I used to have doubts about God's presence in this world.
02:53And now I know for sure that he's not among us.
02:59You still need rest.
03:00This will pass.
03:01No, we have another pass.
03:04Pass.
03:22Yeah.
03:34Congratulations, Sir Ralph.
03:38The king rewards criminals well.
03:42The king shows gratitude for loyalty and courage, Sir Rowland.
03:47By making some of his peers.
03:50What?
03:51By restoring your property at Wigley?
03:57It is but a fraction the size of my kingdom.
04:00It is but a fraction the size of my sovereignty.
04:04He's also bestowed upon me the Tench estate.
04:09The property nearly is extensive as shirings.
04:12The earldom of Tench.
04:15Yes.
04:18Sorry I'm late.
04:19Odilla insisted that we...
04:23Lily Philbert.
04:26It's been some long while.
04:28It's been some long while.
04:30Yes.
04:34Eve not changed.
04:39Is this your daughter?
04:41Yes.
04:42I'm Lord Ralph.
04:43What's your name?
04:45Odilla.
04:46Odilla.
04:48Come along, Odilla.
04:49Your nurse is waiting for us.
04:55The orange in your dress was pulled from mine.
04:57Do you like it?
04:59Yes.
05:00Lady Philbert.
05:02May I have a word?
05:05Go, I'll catch up.
05:09What do you want, Sir Ralph?
05:13I want your hand in marriage.
05:18I've been waiting for this moment for such a long time.
05:22Since I saw you that day in the market, you...
05:24As a young man and now that I'm a peer...
05:29You must know that I adore you.
05:31I would lay down my life for you.
05:33I would share my good fortune with you.
05:35And I know that you care for me too, so...
05:38I never cared for you.
05:40I pitied you as a young man deprived of his inheritance.
05:43But you've since become...
05:45A rapist and a murderer.
05:49I'd sooner die than marry you.
05:51I'd sooner die than marry you.
06:00The war has taken the lives of many Englishmen.
06:03And far too many landholders of Wigley.
06:05Their lands have lain fallow for years.
06:08And it's time we distributed the property to those who can farm it.
06:12We've decided, therefore, to award these landholdings to...
06:16George Parker.
06:20Why? Why him?
06:23Why not us?
06:25He's a landholder and you're a labourer.
06:27Sir? You can't pay the labourers he's got now.
06:30I pay you what I can.
06:32Food? You pay us food and we're still starving.
06:37Give the land to the peasants.
06:39We'll farm it.
06:41Can you pay the tenants, Fee?
06:45We'll pay bit by bit.
06:47We'll work all the harder if the land is ours.
06:50Your purpose as peasants is to feed and support the bishops and lords.
06:55Tax us and rob us to keep us in our place.
06:59My decision stands.
07:07You've said nothing.
07:09It's dangerous to speak your mind like that.
07:11Would you rather be robbed?
07:13I'd rather go poor than be hanged a traitor.
07:15Somebody's got to defend what is rightfully ours.
07:17Not you.
07:18But why not?
07:19Why don't you hold him when you speak like that?
07:21Why don't you stand up for yourself and your sons and your woman?
07:23No one can stand up for you.
07:25You've got a bigger cock than any man in Wigley.
07:31Mama! Stop! Stop!
07:37Don't fight! Please, Ma, don't!
07:45Go on!
07:49God, no!
07:51Ma!
07:56Go!
07:59Just get out of my life!
08:02Mama, are you all right?
08:07Mama, where's Da?
08:08I'm going.
08:19I'm going.
08:38How's life as a Kingsbridge builder?
08:41Worth it.
08:43They're back.
08:49I'm Alfred's chief competition,
08:51which isn't saying much.
08:53He runs the guild now
08:55and I only get the work he hasn't time to take on.
08:57And my mother, is she well?
08:59Yeah, she's well.
09:01She'll be delighted to see you.
09:03And Carys,
09:06is she still a nun?
09:07Carys,
09:09is she still a nun?
09:26Good day, sire.
09:37Mother Cecilia just told me
09:39you were writing a book.
09:44Did you get my letter?
09:56I didn't think you'd ever come back.
10:01I'm sorry.
10:03I didn't think you'd ever come back.
10:04Are you with your family?
10:08The mortality
10:10visited us
10:11and my wife and child died.
10:14And I could do too,
10:15but God was cruel
10:17and he let me live.
10:22I'm so sorry.
10:26And you?
10:28I'm so sorry.
10:30And you?
10:32I'm so sorry.
10:34I practised the arts of healing.
10:37I'm still learning.
10:42And now,
10:43a return
10:44or
10:45just a stop on your journey?
10:50It depends on you.
10:52Carys, listen to me.
10:53No.
10:54Please, I have thought of everything.
10:55If I leave the convent, I'll be hanged.
10:58No one can still believe that you're a witch.
11:00Godwin does.
11:02Well, then we'll steal away.
11:04We'll go back to Italy.
11:06To replace what you've lost?
11:08My feelings are worthy.
11:09Why do you sully them?
11:12You can't neglect a crop for years
11:14and then expect to come back to a harvest.
11:17You know, I'm changed
11:18and I'm sure that you are too.
11:22I loved you
11:24from the moment I saw you
11:27and I never stopped loving you since.
11:30Pray for me, but don't love me.
11:34Go.
11:35Please.
12:03I love you.
12:34I'm beginning to wonder
12:35whether we should be at war at all.
12:38The news from France
12:39is that they have been decimated
12:40by the Great Mortality.
12:42This pestilence
12:43has fought a war for you.
12:46Now is the perfect time
12:48to attack,
12:49not retreat.
12:50Oh.
12:52And who shall I send to fight them?
12:54I don't know.
12:56I don't know.
12:58I don't know.
12:59I don't know.
13:00I don't know.
13:02I don't know.
13:03Who shall I send to fight them, mother?
13:05You.
13:10God gave you a sign
13:11saying this war was just.
13:14Why should He fail you now?
13:16Was it really a sign from God
13:17or the trick of a greedier messenger?
13:23The civil uprising
13:24deposed my father.
13:25A secret order
13:26commanded his death.
13:28A foreign war was declared.
13:31And all to what purpose?
13:33To put you in power, Mother, and now comes the great mortality, which truly is a sign
13:43that God is not happy.
13:53Checkmate.
13:58I think you'd better leave.
14:02These are my rooms.
14:04I'm in London.
14:05I don't want to see you in my court again.
14:09Edward.
14:16Edward, listen to me.
14:18Edward!
14:21Edward!
14:26I stood by your son on the battlefield, Your Majesty, but this time he's mistaken.
14:31You deserve praise, not exile.
14:38It only becomes exile if I don't return.
15:01Merton, lad.
15:12Genius, lad.
15:14Italian loom design you gave me works wonders.
15:17The speed, the qualities.
15:20Leave Merton alone, husband.
15:22Come sit.
15:23I'd rather do more than sit.
15:25Behave yourself.
15:31Look, spastic, maxis, maxis, merrily soothe the goo.
15:34Soothe the goo.
15:36Summer is a-coming, and so we soothe the goo.
16:01Ah, Petronilla, the lovely Petronilla.
16:15Would you care to dance?
16:18Dance?
16:19You must not resist.
16:20I am your lord, and you are the most beautiful woman in Kingsbridge.
16:27You know, I've often thought how very foolish I was to give you up.
16:33Do you think there's still a chance for you and I, after all these years?
16:38It would be my most fervent wish.
16:43Wonderful.
16:44Marvellous.
16:46Of all the fucks I ever had, you were the sweetest.
16:49My lord.
16:51Let's go outside now.
16:53We can have a quick fuck, save the dance for later.
16:55My lord, I am an honourable woman.
16:57I'm not asking you to marry me.
16:58I'm the Earl of Shirey.
17:00Come on.
17:01No, my lord.
17:04Too good for me now.
17:07There was a time when you would have done anything I asked.
17:15There was a time.
17:18You would not have asked it like this.
17:22You'd be lucky to get a fuck from anyone of your age.
17:52What do you want?
18:05A gift.
18:07Of land.
18:11Permission to be a tenant and not just a servant of property.
18:16You've asked that before.
18:18Gobbling won't help.
18:21Then give it to my son.
18:23My oldest.
18:25And why would I do that?
18:28Because he's yours.
18:30Fuck off.
18:43I want to propose a toast.
18:46May winter soon be over.
18:48May spring come soon.
18:50May our crops return.
18:52And may my wife's teats never sag.
19:19What is it?
19:22I'm not certain.
19:30What are those?
19:34Keep him calm.
19:36And I'll be back in a moment.
19:38Sister Georgina.
19:40I need to talk to you.
19:48Is it what I think it is?
19:50Yes.
19:51What do we do?
19:53Isolation is the only thing that might stop it.
19:56Some even say it's contagious by sight.
19:58Impossible.
20:00By wind perhaps, that's what Galen says.
20:02They wore linen face masks in Florence.
20:06But I can't promise that it helped.
20:13Sister Maya.
20:14Yes.
20:15I want everyone to wear masks of linen over their nose and mouth.
20:18Whatever for?
20:19For protecting us whilst we nurse.
20:23Great mortality has come to Kingsbridge.
20:25You are sinners.
20:27The wrath of God has descended upon you all.
20:31Sinners all of you.
20:33God has no mercy with sinners like you.
20:38Sister, please help.
20:39We're trying.
20:47Richelie, let's get this lady some water.
21:01Sister, are you all right?
21:03Yes.
21:05We need to find some more room to isolate the sick.
21:09Maybe we should convert an outbuilding into a playhouse.
21:12Absolutely not.
21:14Giving people more room to die won't help anyone.
21:16Not to mention how much it will cost.
21:18It will make them more comfortable.
21:20It might even stop the spread of the disease.
21:22The disease is God's punishment on a wicked world.
21:25We need more death to rid us of this carnal sin.
21:28It's a crime.
21:30A crime to intervene in God's will.
21:32Godwin, you are no physician.
21:35What you know of these matters is next to nothing.
21:39And worse, as a trained theologian,
21:42your beliefs are fetid and malevolent as the mortality itself.
21:49God's punishment.
21:51We are burying children.
21:55What sort of God do you worship who would let innocent...
22:10Get out.
22:14Get out at once.
22:21Disgusting.
22:26Well, it seems we got our point across about the mask.
22:30Did you see how it covered his face?
22:33Yes.
22:35Here you are.
22:37Brother Thomas, please, please, just quickly.
22:39Sister, could you get this man some water?
22:41Brother Thomas, please, please, this woman needs your help.
22:43I don't know what to do next. Please.
22:48Sir?
22:50Yes, this will help.
22:55I'm not frightened.
22:58I'm curious.
23:01I hope he's merciful.
23:05And that I haven't got it all wrong.
23:09You're still right, I should think.
23:13Where's your mask?
23:15I didn't put it on.
23:23You must take my place, of course.
23:28I told sister where.
23:31I was too stunned.
23:35I can't take your place.
23:37You're the only one who can.
23:41Are you forgetting that I...
23:44that you lost your faith?
23:49There isn't one true believer
23:52who hasn't been in that long, dark night.
23:59You are in that crucible now, child.
24:04Let God continue to work through you,
24:08building your hospice,
24:11reading your book.
24:41Amen.
25:12It would seem most of the nuns want sister Carys
25:16as our next prioress.
25:18Then how do we prevent that?
25:20I would be willing to run against her.
25:24My dear sister Elizabeth,
25:26much as I despise my cousin Carys,
25:29even I have to admit her popularity.
25:34If you hope to win,
25:36we must exploit her unpopular side.
25:42The use of masks, for example, is pagan superstition.
25:48Forgo the use of one yourself.
25:53We know the plague is the devil's work.
25:57God will protect us
26:01and sicken her.
26:06Sister, where's your mask?
26:10Masks are the devil's nonsense.
26:32Shhh.
26:58Mother.
27:01What's the meaning of this, calling for me at this hour?
27:04Why couldn't it wait until the morning?
27:10What kind of a mother are you?
27:12Putting me in danger.
27:20She still reads heretic philosophy.
27:22I've seen the books myself.
27:24Written by Arab infidels
27:26who would like nothing better than to
27:28wipe Christianity off the face of the earth.
27:31Therefore, I humbly suggest another of our sisters,
27:36myself or someone worthier,
27:38should be our next prioress.
27:59We need to collect all the Prairie's relics
28:01and possessions immediately.
28:03We're leaving Kingsbridge and this terrible plague behind.
28:06Is this an order, Friar?
28:09Why do you ask?
28:11Because if it is,
28:15I will not obey.
28:17I will not obey.
28:19I will not obey.
28:21I will not obey.
28:23I will not obey.
28:25I will not obey.
28:29We are needed here
28:31to nurse the sick and bury the dead.
28:33And if the mortality takes our lives,
28:35that's God's business,
28:37not ours.
28:41Anyone who wishes to stay with me is welcome.
28:43And anyone who disobeys me
28:45will risk his immortal soul.
28:49And that's God's business, too.
28:56Not yours.
29:01We leave within the hour.
29:26What do you want?
29:28I must speak to Earl Rowland.
29:30The castle is closed to all visitors
29:32because of the pestilence.
29:34Tell him I have news of his son.
29:38His sons are dead.
29:40One poisoned, one fallen in France.
29:42Not all of them are dead.
29:44Tell him that.
29:47Please.
29:49Wait here.
29:52What do you want?
29:56It's Petronella, my lord.
29:58You?
30:00I rose from my bed for you.
30:02What's this about my sons?
30:05Your son, my lord.
30:07He lives.
30:09He lives.
30:11He lives.
30:13He lives.
30:15He lives.
30:17He lives.
30:19Your son, my lord.
30:21He lives.
30:23Your daft woman. Which one?
30:26The son you never knew of.
30:29The son I bore you out of our love.
30:32And he lives.
30:37The pestilence has taken your mind.
30:40I never loved you.
30:43Go home and die.
30:46My lord.
30:50My lord.
31:16My lord.
31:32I've been looking for you.
31:34Dobbin's gone.
31:36Left during the night.
31:38Of course he has.
31:40You know, he's the one person I feared of telling of my election.
31:43Good.
31:49Do you believe in God, Thomas?
31:54Yes, I think I do.
31:57Then where is he?
31:59Is he no God here?
32:01They say his presence is often hidden.
32:04And his way's mysterious, I know.
32:06So mysterious he's chosen a non-believer to run his convent.
32:10His only son chose for his closest friends
32:13fishermen, peasants, a tax collector, and several whores.
32:18I'd say you were an improvement.
32:24Oh, I have other news.
32:27Godwin took everything of value.
32:30Including our money?
32:32I'm afraid so.
32:34When on earth does he think you will buy him?
32:41Just stop.
32:43I beg you. A princess does not cry.
32:45Don't make me go.
32:47The Prince of Castile is a wealthy man, Jane.
32:50Why can't I marry an Englishman?
32:52Because Spain will give you a crown and us an ally against France.
32:57I'll never see you again.
32:59Of course you will.
33:02And you'll return a queen, which is what you deserve.
33:06Now look at me.
33:09Now look at me.
33:15Of all my children, Jane, you are my favorite.
33:27I want only the best of you.
33:29Now go.
33:39I'll miss you.
33:41I know.
34:08Brother Godwin.
34:11Prior Godwin, Brother Saul.
34:14Prior Saul. Prior Godwin.
34:17It's been such a long journey.
34:19Let's refresh ourselves.
34:41Thank you, brother.
34:43There's but half a dozen of us here,
34:46which is all this monastery will hold.
34:49You would turn us away?
34:51We bring gold.
34:53We'll buy you nothing.
34:55Not food. We haven't enough as it is.
34:57Not shelter.
34:59And it's what else you might be bringing that frightens me.
35:01We are brothers in Christ. I brought only the purest of heart.
35:04Pestilence does not walk with us.
35:06None of you are ill.
35:08Did you not hear me? We are godly.
35:10You'll sleep in the barn for a week,
35:12and then if there's still no signs of disease...
35:14It will freeze out there.
35:16You should have stayed in Kingsbridge,
35:18where it's warmer and the supplies are plentiful,
35:20and where the people needed you.
35:36Come on.
36:02Did you say we are ungodly?
36:06Did you say we are ungodly?
36:29Brothers.
36:32Prior Saul, I'm sorry to say,
36:34has discovered black boils on his neck,
36:36and so has voluntarily isolated himself in the barn.
36:42God has vouchsafed to protect me from this terrible plague,
36:47and so I will be the prior's sole attending physician.
36:52The rest of you will remain isolated here
36:55until the disease passes.
36:57Now, let us pray.
37:02Chete.
37:04Fus famulus.
37:07Laudere.
37:09Amen.
37:11Our Godwin has disappeared,
37:13leaving no one in charge of Kingsbridge
37:15but myself and Mother Carys.
37:18Many of our citizens are afraid to leave their houses,
37:21which is understandable,
37:23but we ask that you go to them
37:25and bring them word of our new rules concerning the disease.
37:30First of all, everyone must wear masks.
37:34The Good Sisters have made linen ones,
37:36which Sister Mya will distribute.
37:38Please take them to your neighbors and leave them on their doorsteps.
37:41Also, we need volunteers to bury the dead.
37:44Bodies must be cleared from the streets and the river,
37:47covered in lime,
37:49and buried in communal graves.
37:54In order to contain the disease, Kingsbridge must be sealed off.
37:57The town wall made impregnable,
37:59and a sentry posted on the bridge to guard against intruders.
38:02And most importantly, we must take care of the children who have lost their parents.
38:06Anyone who has any room at all, please take them in.
38:10All right.
38:11And lastly, I have not yet been ratified as Prioress by the new Bishop,
38:16who refuses to come to Kingsbridge until after the disease has left.
38:22So, in order to affirm my position
38:24and make these rules irrevocable law,
38:26I must go to him.
38:32Carys!
38:34What are you doing?
38:35I've come to escort you.
38:36I don't need escorting.
38:38I don't need a lecture.
38:40Just a thank you will do.
38:47You're welcome.
39:04Come no further.
39:07State your purpose and leave.
39:09Mother Carys of Kingsbridge come to be ratified as Prioress.
39:13Prior Godwin didn't write to me about this.
39:15Prior Godwin fled when the mortality struck,
39:18taking with him the relics and all of our money.
39:21So who's running Kingsbridge then?
39:24No one officially, Eminence.
39:26My clergy is decimated.
39:29You were not the first with this problem.
39:31To help the Holy Father has issued an emergency decree.
39:34Nuns may hear confessions and bury the many dead.
39:37You may not say Mass, but other than that you are the new Prior.
39:41Eminence, I am Prior.
39:44I don't...
39:45In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti.
39:48Amen.
39:49Amen.
39:50Eminence.
39:51Now leave.
39:53Amen.
40:09Well.
40:12I'll leave you here.
40:15Congratulations, Prior.
40:17Write your book.
40:18Heal the sick and build your hospice.
40:20It's all in your power now.
40:37This is over.
40:39No more.
40:53No.
41:07Mother?
41:13No.
41:24No.
41:31Should I send for Alf?
41:32Mother.
41:34He could be here by morning.
41:40I won't be long.
41:45Can I share a secret with you?
41:48Of course, my lady.
41:54For many years I...
41:57was barren.
42:03When I finally gave birth,
42:07the child was stillborn.
42:10I was heartbroken.
42:13Until my husband, Sir Gerald, brought me another child to take its place.
42:24He told me that its mother had died.
42:29I loved this orphan as if he was my own.
42:34I soon gave birth to a second son.
42:37A legitimate heir.
42:41No Shire and Castle.
42:44His father and I hid this truth.
42:47Rather than name his brother a bastard.
42:53No.
42:55No.
42:59No.
43:02No.
43:23No.
43:50Good message, my lord.
44:24Mother.
44:48Mother Joseph.
44:50Forgive me, brother.
44:52We took it with us.
44:54To St. John in the forest.
44:56What?
45:19To St. John in the forest.
45:49To be continued.