The Uprising (2026) Movie Script
1
-(birds screeching)
-(ox panting)
PLOUGHMAN:
Walk.
(ox lowing)
(Ploughman breathing heavily)
Walk.
(ox lowing)
(Ploughman groans)
Walk.
Walk. (grunts)
(panting)
(ox lowing)
(breathing deeply)
(groans)
-(wind howling)
-(breathing deeply)
(thunder rumbling)
(thunder crashes)
(rain pattering)
(breathing heavily)
(wind howling)
(sighs)
-(thunder rumbling)
-(rain pattering)
-(thunder crashes)
-(gasping)
(door creaking)
(trembling breaths)
(praying in Latin)
My lord.
(praying continues in Latin)
(voice trembling):
Save us, oh, Lord.
Protect us, I beg you.
Your council meets.
(whimpering)
(praying continues quietly)
This is your kingdom.
(breath trembling)
I will go to your father.
Pray with him
that you find your way.
(whimpering)
(door creaks shut)
HALES:
Our king is indisposed.
Again.
Alas, the needs of his kingdom
will not wait.
We must continue our work.
In his interests, of course.
My lords, we need more money.
If we do not raise more money,
our kingdom will surely fall.
(papers rustling)
The London merchants
should bear the burden.
If we tax the merchants,
then they will expect
a seat at our table.
Is that what you want?
What say you, Your Grace?
Your bishops and holy men
hold lands from coast to coast
and wealth beyond the counting.
The church is but a glimpse
of God's kingdom, my lord.
Tarnish her at your peril.
So we have no choice.
We must tax the common people.
(bell clanging)
(lively chatter)
(crowd clamoring)
VILLAGE MAN:
Get up!
-Quickly!
-PRIEST: I-I-I beg you...
I beg you, y-you may take
what is just and no more.
When you take this grain,
you take it out
of this child's mouth.
It is the king's order.
You must pay a tax.
PRIEST:
We have nothing more left.
COLLECTOR: The village owes
600 groats, so you must give
-your grain in payment.
-PRIEST: Can you not see
this grain is all we have
for the winter?
COLLECTOR:
The king has assessed Brentwood
to be of 200 persons.
-Three groats each
for these people? -Go back.
We-we don't have
three groats between us.
-Go back. -We are on our hands
and knees from the tax.
I've only women and children.
There are four of age
in your household.
-12 groats.
-My daughter is not yet 16.
She looks older to me.
Check her.
-No. No, no, no, no!
-PRIEST: She's a child.
-No! Please, sir, no!
-Sir, she's-she's a child.
(whimpering)
PRIEST: Sir, I beg you,
I beg you. Stop, child!
-Look! Look at her!
-(clamoring)
PRIEST:
The sin! She's a child!
She-she's only a child.
Will you stop?
-Look what they have done.
-Leave that child alone!
'Tis a sin! 'Tis a mortal sin.
She's of age.
Then she must pay.
The young women must prove
they're underage,
or they pay their taxes.
Check 'em all.
SERGEANT:
You, come here.
How many in your household?
I'm alone. Just myself.
COLLECTOR:
No family?
No, they died in the sickness.
(whimpering)
Help her!
-PRIEST: Hey!
-COLLECTOR: Can you give proof?
-VILLAGE WOMAN: Mercy!
-PLOUGHMAN: Proof?
COLLECTOR:
That they died.
Did you pay their death tax
to Lord Beauchamp?
-PRIEST: Have you no shame?
-(whimpers)
Gave him grain and my service.
Take the children home.
COLLECTOR:
Do you have record?
Do you have record?
Writ. Do you have it writ?
-It was seven years ago.
-Then you have no proof.
There's your choice.
You pay the death tax
or pay the king's tax.
It's up to you. Next!
-PRIEST: Let go. Careful.
-(clamoring)
COLLECTOR:
Stand aside, sir.
PRIEST: Hey! Hey, stop!
Stop this! Hey, hey!
-Stop! Stop! Hey, hey, hey!
-COLLECTOR: Stand aside, sir.
PRIEST:
Will you put a stop to this?
Stand aside, sir.
-Next!
-PRIEST: Hey!
Hey, stop this! Stop this!
How much are you making?
-What did you say?
-I said,
how much goes into your pocket,
you and the lord who sent you?
Listen, you pay your taxes
or you lose your hand.
We got another cheat. Sergeant!
PLOUGHMAN:
That's enough!
-Enough!
-(crowd quiets)
We've given you enough!
(crowd murmuring)
You shouldn't have done that,
farmer.
-(grunts)
-(crowd exclaiming)
-(grunts)
-(crowd exclaiming)
(yells)
(crowd cheering, clamoring)
(grunting)
-PRIEST: Go on, get out!
-Go on! Go on!
(grunting)
Kill him! (yells)
(clamoring continues)
(grunting)
(breathing heavily)
(clamoring continues)
(village woman cheering)
(panting)
(indistinct chatter)
VILLAGE MAN:
Please hurry to the forest!
(indistinct chatter continues)
VILLAGE WOMAN:
What should we do?
VILLAGE MAN: They'll come back
and arrest us all.
They'll come back.
They will kill us.
-There's nowhere to run to.
We can't flee.
(baby crying)
VILLAGE WOMAN:
We can't fight.
VILLAGE MAN:
This will kill us.
-Keep... keep on moving.
(indistinct chatter continues)
-What are we going to do?
-(blade scraping)
-VILLAGE WOMAN: Oh, Jesus.
Save us. Save us.
VILLAGE MAN:
They'll arrest us all.
They'll kill us.
-Mercy.
Please, Father, mercy.
(horses neighing)
-(birds calling)
-(horses approaching)
What is happening here, priest?
The taxes, my lord.
You ask too much.
It is what is asked, no more.
BELKNAP:
We know who you are.
Your Lord Beauchamp has records
at his manor house
of all bound to his land.
-Do you not, my lord?
-BEAUCHAMP: Every name
and every debt,
writ in ink and sealed.
BELKNAP:
Well, then there it is.
He is your lord.
He owns you and all you make.
He says pay taxes,
you pay taxes.
He says work harder,
you work harder.
That is the law.
Hmm.
BELKNAP:
Consider this, then.
There is one amongst you
who has killed
a sergeant in arms.
You give me his name,
or all will be charged
with his crime.
-Your name?
-Ploughman.
"Ploughman."
I am what I do.
So, what say you, Ploughman?
I struck a man, my lord.
I struck a man...
...to protect a child.
I-I'll pay for it, as you wish.
But not until our plea is heard.
You take him.
PLOUGHMAN:
Mercy on us.
I pray you,
mercy on my brothers.
-Mercy on my brothers, my lord.
-This is not justice, my lord.
-I am justice, priest.
-PRIEST: This is not justice.
PLOUGHMAN:
Mercy on my brothers, my lord.
The chief justice
of the king's highest court.
-What I say is justice.
-PLOUGHMAN: My lord.
Mercy on my brothers, my lord!
They've done nothing wrong.
This farmer shall dance to it
-on my word.
-PRIEST: 'Tis not justice.
This is not in accordance
to God's will.
PLOUGHMAN:
My brothers have done nothing.
Mercy on my brothers, my lord.
They've done nothing wrong,
my lord!
-They've done nothing!
-(villagers yelling)
(grunting and groaning)
(horse squealing)
(clamoring)
VILLAGE MAN:
Get him off! Get him off!
-(neighing)
-(yelling)
PLOUGHMAN:
Bring him down!
-Get him off that horse!
(groaning)
I will burn you!
Grab it! Grab the jewels!
You savages.
(whimpering)
(screams) No, no, no!
(grunts fiercely)
(screaming)
-You monster!
BELKNAP:
Jesus! (grunting)
(gasping)
No, no, no, no!
Wait, not like that! Back!
Bring him up. Bring him up.
Bind him up. Bind him up.
Not the boy. Not the boy.
Easy, easy.
-No. No.
-(laughter)
The law is writ by the king.
It cannot be denied.
Will you tell him from us,
the laws he writes
put honest men in chains.
Remember our mercy.
-(hollering, jeering)
-(horse whinnies)
(laughter, clamoring)
PLOUGHMAN: We come
for Lord Beauchamp's records!
(yelling)
Burn all the records
so they won't know who we are!
Any parchment!
Anything with a seal, burn it!
-Any record, burn it all!
(clamoring)
There's more in the back!
Get 'em!
-Grab whatever you can
and burn 'em!
Let's go! Take everything!
Take everything!
Burn the papers!
-Burn it to the ground!
(gasping)
RICHARD II (voice trembling):
Every night, I see...
hooded devils...
coming for us.
Do they speak?
In tongues of...
...rage.
My lord, you are our messiah.
God chose you alone
to do his will.
He will not forsake you.
Put your trust in us,
your council.
We will guide you.
(footsteps echoing)
(inhales sharply)
Help me. I beg you.
Help me, my husband.
Free our son from his torment.
Show him how to be king.
(sniffles)
(wind whistling softly)
I have word.
From across the river.
The people of Kent have risen.
They gather now in Maidstone
in solidarity with us.
How?
How is that...
how is that possible?
Know you John Ball,
the Outlaw Priest?
Our brothers in Kent
have freed him
from the archbishop's prison.
And he commands us all--
every miller, every ploughman--
and he says, "Now is the time
for the Great Rebellion."
I can't leave them.
No, I... I can't.
I know they haunt you.
But you won't be
abandoning them.
They'd want you
to fight this injustice,
as they cannot.
'Tis only then will they rest.
JOHN:
Good people of Kent, hear me!
(crowd clamoring)
For these long months
in the archbishop's jail
have left me much to say.
(crowd clamoring)
Once, this land was
fertile and free,
but now it is chained and broke.
Broke by the traitor lords
who keep you their slaves.
(crowd clamoring)
They're feasting and whoring
in grand palaces
with you, the rain
and wind at your back,
as you toil before the plough.
(crowd clamoring)
When Adam delved and Eve span,
who then was the gentleman?
(cheering)
Are we not all descended
from one father and mother?
-(cheering)
-Yes!
But do not fear, good people,
for the threshing time
is upon us.
Let us march
to the great city of London...
(cheering)
...and petition our king
for justice.
(cheering)
And let us go to him
on Corpus Christi,
the great feast day of miracles,
for if we do, I swear,
God will grant us
our own miracle.
-(cheering)
-Yeah!
-Are you with us?
-VILLAGE MAN: Yes!
(cheering)
JOHN:
Amen. God is with us.
God is with us.
God is with us all.
John Ball.
-She must find it.
-Okay.
-Yes.
-I'm Ploughman,
from across the river.
My... my priest sent me.
Come.
PLOUGHMAN:
Priest says to tell you
he's gathering men to join you.
How many?
All of south marsh,
east marsh also.
A thousand souls at least.
He travels now.
Vouches 2,000 by tomorrow,
maybe more.
JOHN:
The fire you've lit burns.
You've done well, Ploughman.
These men are with you?
These are, yeah.
-These men, they need water.
-Aye, Father.
JOHN:
Bless you.
JOHN:
Tyler.
(indistinct, lively chatter)
-Farmer from the marshes.
-Aye.
The one who started all this.
-The same.
-I'm Tyler.
I lead the men of Kent.
Follow me.
-Soldiers, all?
-Patriots.
We shed blood
for our country in France
these past 15 winters.
Returned to find England weak,
our church corrupt,
borders undefended,
and our young king
ruled over by old men
who bleed the land dry
for their pleasure.
JOHN:
It's been like that ever since
the great Book of Domesday.
300 years ago,
the French king conquered us,
he took the crown
and set down in Domesday
all the riches of the land.
Every field, every horse,
every working man.
And then he stole them all.
Divvied them
to his lords and bishops,
binding you like a slave
while God turned away in fury
to see his land so sullied.
Chasing off one tax collector
is not enough.
Sacking one manor house
is not enough.
We must take it all back,
everything writ in Domesday.
They will fight, will they not,
to keep what they have?
We will use feast day as cover.
Strike while they are at play.
One army from Kent, the other
with your priest from Essex.
Another from Hertfordshire,
from Bedfordshire, from Suffolk,
moving together as one.
There are many in London
forced to live in the filth
beyond the city walls.
They think as we do.
They are ready to join us.
Cast eyes upon those
raised by your stand.
See? They come.
To march beneath
our king's standard.
Join us, Ploughman.
Together, our voices
will have the power
to raise fallen kings.
(banging at door)
(door cracks)
-(door bangs open)
-(rebels clamoring)
(whimpering)
(clamoring continues)
REBEL (in distance): The church
hoards the wealth for itself!
WOMAN:
Your Majesty.
REBEL MAN (in distance):
Destroy all the wealth!
(clamoring continues)
-Smash it all down!
WOMAN:
Come along, Your Majesty.
(door opens)
(yelling)
Tell the archbishop in London
we're coming for him.
(horse neighing)
GUARD:
Guards, make haste!
Up horses!
-Move!
-Hyah, hyah, hyah!
Come!
(knocking)
You must rise, my lord,
to speak with us.
My lord, a mob protesting taxes
gather in Kent and Essex.
And the cathedral at Kent
has fallen.
-Canterbury is defenseless.
-And your armies are far away,
and we fear
the rebels plan for London.
They will be here
in two days' time.
I saw this coming.
I saw this coming.
Did I not see this coming?
HALES:
You need to rise, my lord,
and defend your kingdom
from these deplorables.
(sighs)
(lively, indistinct chatter)
TYLER:
Ploughman?
I have a sense
this ought to be your flame.
REBEL MAN:
There he is. That's him.
REBEL WOMAN:
We stand with you!
REBEL MAN:
Ploughman is here.
-Ploughman, we're here for you.
Ploughman, we're here for you.
REBEL WOMAN:
We're with you, Ploughman.
-(flame whooshing)
-(rebels cheering)
(laughter, excited chatter)
(cheering)
JOHN:
See our brothers' signal?
They wait for us.
TYLER:
We make this pledge...
to be as one voice!
Loyal only to our cause
and to our king!
With whom do you hold?
REBELS: King Richard
and the true commons!
TYLER:
Right, onward!
And let's march to London!
(cheering)
REBELS:
Gold
And see us beggars grow cold
Our land is still
and learns to sleep
We have no corn
or rye to reap
They take our coin
to make their gold
And see us beggars grow cold
Our land is still
and learns to sleep
We have no corn
or rye to reap
They take our coin
to make their gold
And see us beggars grow cold
Our land is still
and learns to sleep...
-(chuckles)
-(ox lowing)
You were touched.
By King Death.
Seven years past.
And yet you lived.
Is that not a sign?
If it is, it's a cruel one.
My family died.
I put them all in the earth.
God has taken much from you.
God left my fields long ago.
No, he has not left you.
It is his plan.
His plan?
Why would God have a plan
to cause us such pain?
The sickness was his punishment
for the crimes of the rich.
So why do we suffer also?
To show us the truth.
And fill us with rage.
Surrender to it,
and it will set you free.
(rebels continue singing
and chattering indistinctly)
Bless you, child. Bless you.
Word from the slums
outside the city.
The London commons
stand ready to join us.
Do they share our cause, John?
If it ends well,
all will be well.
Even if our friend from
the marshes does not yet see it.
Our land is still
and learns to sleep
We have no corn
or rye to reap...
You're from east fen?
I heard you speak of it.
Yes.
I'm Alyce from north fen.
You're not the only
marsh walker here.
You're of the church also?
I was.
You left?
When John Ball raised me
from darkness.
And set me on
this righteous road.
To London.
The sun shining on the spires
of a hundred churches.
It's a good place for a miracle,
is it not?
I know only what I can see
or hold in my hand.
We cannot know the miracle,
but it will come.
You'll see.
All will be well once
the poison of wealth is removed.
(distant clamoring)
(clamoring continues)
TYLER:
Destroy all the church's wealth!
Destroy it all!
To right a wrong long-standing!
Anything of value--
gold, furnishings, tapestries--
set it ablaze!
Throw it on the flame!
(clamoring continues)
ALYCE:
Repent for your sins!
Repent! Repent!
I shall never fall to the floor!
ALYCE:
Repent!
Repent for what you've done!
TYLER:
Ploughman!
Get out into the fields.
Blockade the road.
We'll stay back
and sift through this place.
-Right.
-Search any moving to London.
(clamoring continues)
Do you not deserve this
for what you have done?
You've brought great shame
upon God.
Repent for your sins!
Repent for your sins!
Repent!
(hoofbeats approaching)
-Hyah!
-Hyah!
REBEL MAN:
Carriages are approaching.
-Wake up, everyone.
-Carriages.
-Carriages.
-Carriages are coming. Wake up.
-Come on. This way.
-(horse neighing)
PLOUGHMAN:
Wake up. Make ready.
Wake up.
REBEL MAN:
Get your positions.
PLOUGHMAN:
Remember our orders.
We search any moving to London.
Easy.
(horse neighing)
Easy.
-Stop.
-GUARD: Halt!
-GUARD: Whoa, whoa!
-You, stand aside!
We have no quarrel
with you good men.
Make way!
Save your steel.
We only wish to know who rides.
(rebels murmuring)
Let him pass.
PLOUGHMAN:
Search the rest.
REBEL MAN:
Aye.
-Open that.
-Yeah.
Dare you not show your face
to the mother of the crown?
(rebels murmuring)
PLOUGHMAN:
Forgive me, my lady.
Who are you?
I am Ploughman from east fen.
Why do you take the road?
We come to petition the king,
my lady.
I come from Canterbury.
You sullied the cathedral.
You think the king
will hear your petition
when you burn his lands
and hold hostage
his beloved mother?
It is the king
who is held hostage.
By his council.
Is he not?
We-we march to free him
from the traitors
who have him prisoner.
I fear you travel a hard road.
The king is young,
and his council is strong.
It is they who write the laws.
Does justice not come from God,
who gives it to his servant,
the king?
It does.
I will pray
that he finds the strength
to reveal it to you.
And delivers the rest you seek
at your journey's end.
HALES: Recalling your armies
from France
and Scotland, my lord.
To quell this turmoil.
The duty of a king, my lord.
Defeat your enemies abroad
and keep order at home.
Just as your forefathers
have always done.
Mm.
ALYCE:
Merry it is
While summer lasts
(other rebels joining in):
With birds' song
But now draws near
the wind's blast
And weather strong
Ei, ei, what
This night is long
Merry it is
while summer lasts
With birds' song
But now draws near
the wind's blast
And weather strong
-(clamoring)
-Ei, ei, what...
We found them on the road!
Get Tyler.
(groans)
-(clamoring continues)
-Round them all!
No! No!
(indistinct shouting)
REBEL MAN:
We want justice!
-He beat my son dead!
PLOUGHMAN:
Easy, easy, easy.
All right, all right, all right.
Father, no!
No!
Who are you? Hey. Who are you?
I'm Sir John Newton,
lord of these lands.
-Where do you travel?
-The king recalled his council.
Keep them back. Keep them back.
Get back! Get back, all of you!
Tyler. Where is Tyler? Tyler.
This man has knowledge
of the king.
Come here.
No! (sobbing)
TYLER:
Bring him away from the crowd!
(clamoring continues)
Keep 'em back. Keep 'em back.
Shut your holes, all of you!
Keep 'em back!
(sobbing)
Get back! Shut up, all of you!
You know him?
I sit on the king's council.
And where is he now?
Windsor Castle.
-Not in... not in London?
-No, no, no.
We keep him outside the city
for his safety.
-So you can rule as you please!
-No!
-No, no, no, no!
-REBEL MAN: Take his head!
-Kill 'em all!
-(rebels shouting)
REBEL WOMAN:
Kill him! Take off his head!
No! John! (sobbing)
Kate!
-Hold 'em. Control 'em.
-NEWTON: Kate!
-Move back! Clear the way!
-TYLER: Shut it!
-Show me.
-What?
-Show you?
-Show me. Here.
-(Newton stammering)
-Here, right here.
All right. All right.
Uh, if we are here,
um, London is here.
And Windsor,
25 miles to the west.
Two days more.
We will miss Corpus Christi.
Show me London.
How is she defended?
NEWTON:
London...
The river, like this.
The city walls.
There's a bridge,
the only access from the south.
TYLER:
Is it guarded?
Perhaps a hundred men.
No others?
What of the king's armies?
-NEWTON: In Scotland, France.
-(whispering): We can take it.
But they make haste to return.
The courts of justice,
the palaces, where are they?
Yes, the courts of justice,
they're here.
The archbishop's palace here,
by the river.
And Treasurer Hales'
palace also.
We should take the city
while we can.
Take Domesday.
Deliver the miracle.
Our brothers in the slums
-stand ready to join us.
-REBEL MAN: Let's ride now!
But we don't come for London.
We come to petition the king.
Our people there are ready
to rise up.
It is all prepared.
If we take the city,
the king will come.
Have faith.
-God will see it so. -Take his
head off and let it burn!
-Kill him!
-I can help! I can help.
He says he can help.
How can you help?
I can ride now to the king
at Windsor, parley for you.
Set a meeting.
(laughter)
-Yes, I can!
-A message from your priest.
-The Essex army are waiting.
-JOHN: You think us foolish?
We know who you are.
-Hold him.
-JOHN: You are the lord
that keeps your foot
on our throats.
-Essex army sends word.
-JOHN: He will keep you low.
PLOUGHMAN:
They're closing on London fast.
-JOHN: He will keep you tired.
-NEWTON: No, this is not true.
JOHN:
He will keep you sick.
Let the people
take their justice,
and we march this very night!
(cheering)
You hurry your harvest,
John Ball.
I say we use this man.
Let him deliver our message
to the king.
-(rebels protesting)
-ALYCE: Do you not hear them?
-They demand justice!
-REBEL MAN: Justice!
Justice!
Killing him brings us nothing!
Better we meet with the king,
have him walk us
into London himself.
So we enter like whipped dogs?
No, no, no, no.
Like his true commons.
That was the oath we took.
Is it not?
Tyler.
I say Ploughman is right.
If we are true,
we ought to show it.
Tell the king we meet him here,
just outside the city walls,
-by the river at Blackheath.
-Yes.
Be prepared to move
at first light.
Yes.
Tell the Essex army
to join us there.
My family?
TYLER: They will stay
until your return.
-Hugh!
-HUGH: Sir!
-Arthur!
-ARTHUR: Aye, sir.
TYLER: Take the family
further into the forest.
Guard them.
Have the women tend to them.
Suzanne!
-No! No! No!
-No! Da!
I'll see you to your steed.
REBEL MAN:
Go on, move! Go!
Do you believe he will return?
I believe he will for them, yes.
You cannot trust these people.
You cannot.
We'll see.
-(thunder rumbling)
-(rain pattering)
GUARD:
Attend to your king.
(quiet chatter)
(door closes)
(snapping fingers)
My lord, I beg not
to displease you
with a message I must deliver.
It is worse than we knew,
my lord.
Two rebel armies converge
on London.
Perhaps 10,000, maybe more.
They call upon you
to meet them at Blackheath
to petition you in person,
my lord.
A mob cannot summon a king.
Who leads them?
NEWTON:
A soldier, Wat Tyler.
He is a veteran
of your father's campaigns.
Find his record.
And, uh a preacher also,
John Ball,
the heretic
my lord archbishop imprisoned.
The mob freed him,
and he vows revenge.
Do they say what they want?
NEWTON: They believe the king
will deliver them a miracle
on Corpus Christi Day.
A miracle?
Their freedom.
ARCHBISHOP: My lord,
this is John Ball's poison.
He promises miracles.
He delivers only
the devil's work, destruction.
(Belknap muttering)
NEWTON:
My lord, they have my family.
ARCHBISHOP:
My lord, I know these people.
I know them.
I was born among them.
I know their bodies toil
in the sodden earth,
but their souls aspire
to the heavens.
They ask you for a miracle?
Let us deliver them a miracle.
Tomorrow is
the Feast of Corpus Christi,
the day of miracles.
Let us take the king
to the Blackheath.
And let them behold
his radiance,
and let them kneel before him.
And let him hear their petition.
And then you will ask them
to disperse.
And disperse they surely will,
for they shall have witnessed
the miracle of your presence.
And then later,
when we have bought time
for your armies to return...
We will crush them.
The king is not bait,
Archbishop.
No, madam, he is our salvation,
as God intended.
What say you, my lord?
We, your council, can advise,
but, of course,
it's only you that can decide.
(thunder rumbling softly)
As my council wishes.
(chiming loudly)
(lively chatter)
(bells continue chiming)
(priests chanting in Latin)
MAN:
Mercy.
Glory be to God.
(indistinct chatter)
-Christ with us.
-Save our souls.
(chanting continues in Latin)
WOMAN:
Lord have mercy on my soul.
MAN:
Oh, give us courage.
Give us strength.
-Keep us in thy grace.
-Be with us.
(straining)
-The miracle of Corpus Christi.
The miracle.
(horse neighing)
-My lord, the people need you.
Help us. Help us.
(indistinct chatter)
(bells chiming)
-GUARD: Make way for the king.
-ARCHBISHOP: Lord God,
heavenly King,
holy Son of the Father,
lamb of God that taketh away
the sin of the world,
hear our prayer,
for you alone are the Lord.
You alone are the Most High.
The glory of God the Father.
Amen.
(sighs)
(bells chiming in distance)
(quiet chatter)
(bells continue chiming)
(quiet chatter)
REBEL MAN:
The king!
He's here!
(cheering, excited laughter)
The king. The king!
-The king is here!
GUARD:
Hail, hail!
OARSMAN:
Long stroke.
Heave!
(cheering, excited chatter)
REBEL WOMAN:
That's his boat! He's come!
REBEL MAN:
The miracle of Corpus Christi!
All hail the king!
-The king!
-Behold the miracle!
The miracle!
REBEL WOMAN:
Long live the king!
-All hail the king!
(rebels cheering)
Hold here.
Tell them no further.
-SCRIBE: Hold the boat.
-OARSMAN: Hold!
(lively chatter)
-Do you see him?
-I do not understand.
JOHN: That boat is not moving.
They're stopped.
He stopped.
Why do we wait?
I thought we were going
to shore.
You've descended sufficiently,
my lord.
It is enough to be seen.
Your presence is felt
among them.
We don't think it's safe for you
to go to shore, my lord.
We will send a messenger
to parley on your behalf.
COUNTESS: Will you not permit
the king to speak?
He wishes to hear his people.
ARCHBISHOP:
We are mindful of the king,
your son's royal person, madam.
As you said, my lady,
he is not bait.
HALES: Go to the shore.
Find out what they want.
Tell them to go home.
Yes, my lord.
BELKNAP (whispering): Just like
the baying of wild animals,
-savages.
-SCRIBE: Boat.
-Why is he stopped there?
-(rebels murmuring)
-Why is he stopped?
-He's coming.
ALYCE:
They're sending a boat.
JOHN:
That can't be the king.
I'll go?
-Find out who it is.
-Go.
I'll report back.
Wait! Wait.
Here is our petition
of the list of the traitors.
Be sure to deliver
the people's will.
(hushed):
This is not right, Tyler.
This is not right,
and you know it.
REBEL MAN:
We were promised!
-Who is this boy?
OARSMAN:
Heave!
Heave! Heave!
REBEL MAN:
This isn't proper.
-This is just a messenger.
-OARSMAN: Heave!
Who is this person?
OARSMAN:
Lay to.
I-I come with word
from your king.
He asks why you assemble.
To petition him with
our grievances, nothing more.
Speak on them.
I will convey your word to him.
We were promised an audience
with our king.
We were promised
the king would meet us.
He must hear your petition
in full first.
(rebels murmuring)
REBEL WOMAN:
No, we did not approve this!
-Look at this.
This is not right.
HALES:
Sire, the rebels have given
the scribe their petition.
Shall I not at least receive it?
HALES:
Let us do it, my lord.
We are your council.
We dirty our hand
to keep yours clean.
As you wish.
Thank you, sire.
It is wise.
Wise choice, my lord.
(rebels murmuring, protesting)
REBEL MAN:
What is this?
The king will consider
your petition...
...but commands you first
to return to your homes.
-REBELS: No!
-(rebels shouting angrily)
You must return to your homes.
(angry shouting continues)
You hear their anger, scribe?
"Return home"?
-I'm sorry.
-They came to see their king.
They came for a miracle.
-I cannot control them.
-I am just a messenger.
Whose will is it, theirs or his?
Whose will? His will or theirs?
(angry shouting continues)
(rebels jeering)
OARSMAN:
Here, boys.
SCRIBE:
It's their petition, my lord.
I can see that, boy.
A list.
Our names writ as traitors.
(councilmen whispering)
Return to the Tower immediately.
(rebels shouting, jeering)
HALES:
Guards, pull back.
Protect the king.
-GUARD: Form up.
-GUARD 2: Places.
OARSMAN:
Pull!
Pull!
(rebels clamoring)
He's not coming to shore.
What?
Talk to the people, John.
They said they'll consider
our petition,
but in the meantime,
for us to go back to our homes.
JOHN:
Listen! Listen!
The traitors
have stolen your king
and trampled our petition
in the mud!
I told you
we cannot trust these people.
If the king does not come to us,
then I say we go to him!
-We must go to him!
-JOHN: Go!
-(rebels cheering)
-Go! Go!
TYLER:
Form up. Villages together.
Ploughman, I need you
and your men at the front now.
-JOHN: Go!
-TYLER: Our only chance
is to make haste.
Get word to our brothers
across the river!
We march on London!
-Now!
-(cheering)
Alyce.
(rebels shouting)
Command the oarsmen
to row faster.
SCRIBE:
Yes, my lord. Faster!
-Oarsmen, return to the Tower.
-OARSMAN: To the Tower!
HALES:
When we reach the Tower,
take the king to his quarters.
Keep him close guarded
at all times.
-GUARD: Yes, sir.
-OARSMAN: Row forth!
OARSMAN 2:
Row forth.
-(rebels singing)
-TYLER: We target the courts,
we target the records,
we target the palace
and nothing more.
No looting!
REBELS:
The time is now...
We free the king peacefully
and arrest the traitors
that hold him prisoner.
(rebels shouting)
MAYOR:
So, what now?
-You got a new plan?
-We stay in here and wait
for as long as it takes
for the king's armies to return.
HALES:
The mayor of London, my lord.
He's worried about
the safety of the city.
Tower can't be breached.
The king will be safe in here.
Meanwhile, issue a curfew.
Cancel feast day.
Clear the streets.
Cancel feast day? Are you mad?
-And clear the streets.
-You see the crowds out there.
Don't argue about it, Mayor.
Just do it.
And gather your merchants'
militias immediately,
and put them at
the king's disposal.
If you want our militias,
you'll have to pay for them.
Protection costs money.
ARCHBISHOP (chuckles):
Extortion.
HALES: Guards, escort the king
to his quarters.
(rebels clamoring and singing)
JOHN:
Tell all the London brothers
that we are headed
to the bridge.
Tell them to get
the drawbridge down.
They must act now.
Spread the word
to every parishioner,
every prisoner, every beggar.
Everyone you can find,
you must get them onside. Go.
-Go now. Go now. -We need
that drawbridge down now.
(cheering, laughter)
(rebels clamoring)
HALES: Get the messengers
in here immediately.
ARCHBISHOP: We need maps.
Fetch the city charter.
(door creaking shut)
My lords, the rebels approach
the city from two sides.
A large mob from the south
towards London Bridge.
(rebels continue clamoring)
TYLER:
Strike only if stricken upon!
Prepare to take the city!
There's also another huge mob
approaching the east gate.
(busy chatter)
(rebels continue clamoring)
Get messengers
up the watchtowers.
We need to cover their route.
We need to know where they are
at all times. Go.
(rebels cheering)
We've got to free the king!
Come on, hurry up!
-(rebels shouting)
-REBEL MAN: Right now!
(clamoring continues
in distance)
(arrow whooshing)
(guard groans)
(grunting and groaning)
(clamoring continues)
TYLER:
Join us!
Do not fear us!
-Join us! Join us!
-We're here to free the king!
(clamoring continues)
PLOUGHMAN:
We've come to free the king.
It's time.
It's time to free the king.
ALYCE:
Join us. Join us.
Join us. Fight for justice.
He's hostage.
Come with us. Come with us.
We take the courts.
You take the palaces
by the river.
Hales's palace.
Hales's palace, Belknap's court.
-Go for the archbishop.
-Go for the archbishop.
Find the traitors
and arrest them.
-Come with us. Join us.
-Come with us.
We've come to free the king.
This way. West. West.
Ball! Ball!
We go for the archbishop.
This way.
Go. The archbishop!
Come, come. This way.
ARCHBISHOP:
The bridge was up.
How did they cross the river?
MESSENGER: Rebel sympathizers
inside the city
have lowered the drawbridge.
They have come out of the slums
and joined them.
They are separating
into three columns.
The rebels are everywhere.
(clamoring continues)
TYLER:
We'll search the place.
Find the lord chief justice
and arrest him.
REBEL MAN:
Break every chest!
(clamoring continues)
-Take them all!
(clamoring continues)
JOHN:
Come on!
Inside, inside!
We come for
the traitor archbishop!
(yelling)
JOHN:
Find the archbishop!
Look at this!
You see how
your honorable archbishop lives?
You see this?
You see it?
You see it?
You see how he lives?
(clamoring continues)
PLOUGHMAN:
We come for the traitor.
We come for Treasurer Hales.
TYLER:
Burn it all!
Every record, every name,
every false justice
to the flame!
(rebels yelling)
-(panting)
-(rebels chattering quietly)
Look at all of this.
Where are they?
All the palaces are burning,
and they're setting
-all the records on fire.
-And the courts of justice?
MESSENGER: Piles of parchments
burning in the streets.
They've come to destroy
the law itself.
ARCHBISHOP:
This is not the work of man.
This is the devil's work.
Whether devil or man,
they have the city.
Every part of it!
HALES:
Then gather your militias
and buy us time
until the armies return.
Then pay for them.
Give us a seat at the table!
MESSENGER 2: We have word
from the watchtowers.
The mob is turning.
They're heading for the Tower.
They're coming for us!
(indistinct chatter)
-TYLER: Hugh!
-HUGH: Aye, sir.
TYLER:
Guard every gate.
Watch the water.
William, find something.
A yard, a shed, something solid
that would do
for our headquarters.
The traitors must be holding
the king prisoner
inside the Tower.
-I want the whole Tower sealed.
-REBEL MAN: Aye.
JOHN:
Tyler!
Where have you been?
PLOUGHMAN:
Tyler, can we get in?
It's impossible.
Look at the walls.
So we just wait?
We can secure the area
best we can.
But if we wait,
their armies will return
before we can starve them out.
I say that we lay waste
to the city.
We find all who serve them--
every judge, every lawman--
and we show them
the people's justice.
That does not help our cause,
John Ball.
Well, they keep the records.
They write the laws.
It is the destruction
of their order
-that draws their attention.
-We've come for the king.
Yeah, we came because
God called us to.
To witness a miracle,
and here it is.
The people are speaking.
It is as it was writ.
It is not writ, John Ball.
We have to fashion our ends.
-It is writ!
-We have to free the king.
We have to make him hear us.
That's the only way.
(rebels murmuring)
King!
King! King!
King!
Call him! Call him! Come on!
-Call him! Together!
-REBELS (chanting): King! King!
-Together as one!
-King!
King! King! King!
King! King! King!
-Come on, come on!
-King! King!
King! King! King!
King! King!
King! King! King!
King! King!
-King! King! King!
-Call him! Call him!
-King! King! King! King!
-Call him! Call him!
King! King! King!
REBELS (in distance):
King! King! King! King!
King! King! King!
King! King! King!
(chanting continues faintly
in distance)
(chanting continues in distance)
My lord, the rebels
have entered the city.
How...
Never fear, my lord.
The Tower is impregnable.
Your royal personage...
(chanting continues in distance)
How long until my armies return?
Ten days, my lord.
RICHARD II:
Ten days?
For my kingdom to burn!
(chanting continues in distance)
You foolish old men.
You presume to tell me
how to be a king.
What is your counsel, Mayor?
MAYOR:
My lord,
the merchants of London
can gather their militia.
All 24 wards are willing,
but they will not do it
for free.
HALES:
My lord, this is blackmail.
They are demanding
40,000 pounds.
The merchants seek
to exploit you
at your moment
of greatest peril.
There is no blackmail, my lord.
-Protection costs money.
-HALES: Your outrageous...
Your council bends the knee
for lands and privileges
-that you gift.
-(others arguing)
But they will not pay
to keep your realm safe.
-HALES: ...exploiting the king!
-You will...
-(distant chanting continues)
-Listen.
REBELS (in distance):
King! King! King! King! King!
Listen.
(chanting continues in distance)
Can you not hear their rage?
(chanting continues in distance)
(snaps fingers)
It is time for us all
to taste humility.
(sighs) Of course, sire. Indeed.
(chanting continues in distance)
I will hear their grievances.
Scribe.
Tell them I shall meet
their leaders tomorrow.
Their leaders only,
outside the city walls.
Mayor.
You will lead me.
My council will stay here
lest they inflame
my people further.
I will meet them,
and we will celebrate
our miracle together.
(chanting continues in distance)
-(chanting stops)
-(drawbridge creaking)
(rebels murmuring)
-REBEL MAN: Our king!
-My lord.
-My lord.
-Hear our cries.
-Hear us.
-Please.
Hear our petition.
(lively chatter)
-Please help us.
-Save us.
Your people need you.
-Help us.
-Please!
(chatter continues)
-TYLER: Form up!
-REBEL MAN: Form up!
(horse neighing)
Sword!
You are Tyler.
Your loyal soldier, sire.
You fought for my father.
Shed blood for him
in Aquitaine and Spain.
What is your petition?
A new settlement, my lord.
The wealth of Domesday
returned to the people.
Fair taxes, fair wages.
Fixed rents.
To work where we choose.
Not be tethered to land by birth
that we do not own,
and to sell what we make
by the sweat of our brow.
And for our rebellion,
no retribution.
Is that your petition all?
All, my lord.
JOHN:
No.
We...
We must have the traitors.
Those whose enrichment
is the cause
of the people's suffering.
John Ball, my lord. The heretic.
Traitors?
JOHN: I have their names here,
my lord.
(horse nickers)
The names of your council,
my lord.
You ask much of your king.
JOHN:
We ask for justice, my lord.
For the crooked ways
to be made straight.
That is all.
RICHARD II:
And what of you?
Are you not the one who spoke
at the river's edge?
I am, my lord.
You say nothing,
while they have much to say.
PLOUGHMAN:
I am... I am no soldier.
I am no priest.
I'm...
I'm-I'm... I'm just a farmer.
I come from the land, my lord.
I...
I live by it.
I will return to it in my end.
But it is broken, my lord.
We are forced to work it
beyond what it can give us,
and...
and so, too...
are we worked...
...beyond what our bodies,
our souls can take.
And the-the ones
that we love, my lord,
the ones that we lost...
(sniffles)
...in the sickness...
...they do not rest, my lord.
They-they haunt us.
They torment us in our dreams.
You see them?
I hear them, my lord.
And what do they say?
They say there will be no peace
until we are healed.
(crying softly)
(rebels murmuring,
crying softly)
God hears you.
Your king hears you.
Your demands shall be met.
(rebels murmuring)
We will make a new settlement
this day.
Drawn from the Book of Domesday.
And the torment
that afflicts us all shall end.
(rebels murmuring, chuckling)
We will travel
to the royal scriptorium
to draw charters of freedom
for all who marched.
Follow us there.
You will give him your words,
and he shall write them.
What say you, my lady?
You have revealed yourself
a king, my lord.
Is that not so, Ploughman?
The most just king, my lady.
The most merciful king.
(rebels murmuring)
JOHN:
What of the traitors?
They must be part of this.
Standard.
RICHARD II: The men you seek
are at the Tower.
Take what justice
you say is owed, in my name.
My lord.
Justice has a price,
does it not?
And when it is paid,
we shall all have peace.
You hold my kingdom
in your hand.
Use it wisely.
King Richard
and the true commons.
REBELS: King Richard
and the true commons!
Sword!
Work fast, Ploughman.
Once we draw blood,
we open the gates of hell.
SCRIBE:
Ploughman.
Come.
(rebels clamoring)
REBEL MAN:
Long live the king.
-To the Tower!
-Now is the time!
(rebels yelling)
-REBEL WOMAN: Round them up!
-REBEL MAN: Traitors!
-Reel them in!
REBEL WOMAN:
The traitors!
-REBEL MAN: To the Tower!
-Kill the traitors!
Move!
-Cut their heads off!
-Justice!
-The king wills it.
-Get inside!
(rebels clamoring)
Find the traitors!
-This way!
-(clamoring)
TYLER: We come only
for the king's council!
REBEL MAN:
There he is!
-Get hold of him!
-(door bangs open)
-There's the deceiver.
-He's in here.
(clamoring continues)
-This way.
-Hold there.
-We'll have your guts.
(rebel man laughing)
ALYCE:
He's here!
Forgive us our sins and...
(muttering)
REBEL MAN:
Traitor!
-Kill the swine!
-Come on!
Look at me!
We said we'd come for you!
Didn't we say that?
(laughter, clamoring)
(grunting)
(doors creaking)
Justice! We want justice!
(clamoring continues)
REBEL WOMAN:
Cut off his head!
REBEL MAN:
Take him to the block!
-(screaming)
-Cut his head off!
REBEL WOMAN:
We're taking what's ours!
-(whimpering)
-Take him!
Come on!
(clamoring continues)
-You will die!
-(grunting)
(screaming)
-Kill him!
-(clamoring continues)
On this Corpus Christi!
-(yells)
-(blade strikes)
(audio muffled)
(grunts)
(whimpers)
-(blade strikes)
-(muffled yelling)
(clamoring continues
in distance)
RICHARD II:
This is what you seek?
All of this taken from us.
You talked of fevered dreams.
Yes, my lord.
I know of what you speak.
I, too, wish an end
to this wanting.
Tell your comrades
I will meet them at first light
by Smithfield.
To give each who march
their charter...
...in front of
this great Book of Domesday.
My lord.
Tell me when it is done.
My lord.
And work fast,
before my kingdom burns.
-SCRIBE: Come with me.
-(door creaking shut)
I do not know words
or if it be too late.
You need only speak them...
and I will write.
I want to be free.
Can you write that?
(rebels clamoring)
Keep the procession moving.
Guard the flanks. Get up ahead.
Watch our London brothers
don't get out of hand.
(clamoring, laughter)
We must keep control
until the charters are writ.
(laughing)
REBEL MAN:
Find the wretch!
-They took our money!
-Make them pay!
-Cut off their heads!
We need more men up front!
-(yelling)
-You, come here! No looting!
-(groaning)
-Looters will be arrested!
Cordon off Fleet Street.
Stop them moving any further.
Got it.
TYLER:
We do not seek this!
(clamoring continues)
TYLER: We'll have
the charters by morning.
We must buy the scribes
the time they need.
SCRIBE:
It is done.
Right. Now one for
every village who marched.
(scribes chattering quietly)
Bedfordshire.
Bedfordshire.
We need Bedfordshire.
We must have charters for all.
COMMANDER:
We can't stop the looting.
And now they're
killing merchants
-in the streets.
-(screaming)
TYLER:
This is not our cause!
SCRIBE:
This one for Hertfordshire, yes?
Keep the spacing even.
-Kill them!
-Traitors of the crown!
Tyrant!
COMMANDER:
It's spreading.
The London mob,
settling scores of their own.
They're trapping
Flemish merchants
down by the river,
killing them in the streets.
Faster. Faster.
And the script even.
This one, Kent. Kent.
Essex here.
We must write faster.
-(clamoring continues)
-TYLER: This is madness!
-We're losing control!
-(vicious grunting)
(clamoring continues
in distance)
(sighs)
MAN:
Address your countess.
(doors creaking)
My lady.
(door creaking shut)
I see the hard road
has wearied you...
...and lent doubt to your cause.
PLOUGHMAN:
I'm ashamed.
I did not march to see
true men lose their way.
It is the written word
that grants liberty,
builds new worlds,
not the baying of the mob.
I only doubt
the power of these words,
if they are enough to deliver
the miracle we came for.
Without words,
there is only chaos
and fear.
I must pass word
of the meeting, my lady.
(clamoring continues)
(screaming)
REBEL MAN:
Round 'em up, boys!
Shake their cloaks!
REBEL WOMAN:
Hurry over there.
(yelling, groaning)
REBEL MAN:
He's no farmer.
REBEL WOMAN:
Justice!
REBEL MAN: He's a rich man.
Take him to the block.
-(yelling)
-Come back.
You starved my children!
-Lord have mercy!
-(screaming)
-REBEL WOMAN: Dead!
-REBEL MAN: Take his head!
-REBEL WOMAN: Kill him!
-(blade strike echoes)
(sniffs)
(sighs, sniffs)
(quiet chatter)
Charters are writ.
King will meet you
at first light at Smithfield.
It was the London mob.
And the drink.
They are of the belief
that the Flemish traders
are stealing their jobs.
We've driven them back
towards Cheapside.
Another hour,
and we shall have control again.
JOHN:
You knew blood would be spilled.
Spilled it yourself
to start this.
PLOUGHMAN:
Well, I did not come for this.
To set the world on fire.
Watch it burn,
call it a miracle.
It's no miracle.
It's no miracle at all.
It is as God calls for it to be.
Are you certain, John Ball?
Are you certain?
If the end be well,
then all be well.
Where is God in any of this?
ALYCE:
Ploughman.
She would want you to stay.
You didn't know her.
I know there's nothing for you
where you came from.
Nothing for me here.
ALYCE: There will be no rest
if you leave.
Never.
PLOUGHMAN:
How do you know?
Because I lost someone, too.
(Alyce breathing heavily)
One night...
One night in my convent...
I was young, not long there.
A monk, he came to me in drink.
And he...
They made me bear his child
in secret.
And when it was time,
and the cord not yet cut,
they ripped her from me.
I never knew where they took her
or what they did.
All I know is
I never saw her again.
And they sent me out
into the night alone...
...while the monk stayed safe
in his devotions.
Every night,
I hear her screaming for me.
Every night.
So I came here
to find vengeance.
And now?
I just want to know she sleeps.
And find a place
to lay myself down also.
But we will never find it
if we leave now.
PLOUGHMAN:
Sorry.
(wind howling)
(indistinct chatter)
REBEL MAN:
Bring him through here.
-Get out of here.
(indistinct chatter continues)
(praying quietly)
(indistinct chatter continues)
You are not alone,
in doubt or in loss.
We are, all of us...
...haunted.
But if we walk together,
I have to believe
that we will find our way.
We will stand
in God's grace again.
You do them proud.
(sighs)
We have walked many miles.
PLOUGHMAN:
That we have.
Only when we rest will we know
what victory we hold.
The true commons!
REBELS:
The true commons!
You sent for me, my lord?
Know you the Priory of St. John?
I know of it, sire.
Close, close by Smithfield.
Have the charters and Domesday
taken there.
For our lasting peace.
Not to the meeting place?
MAYOR:
Do not question your king, boy.
Just do it.
SCRIBE:
My lord.
(horse whinnying)
REBELS: Merry 'tis
while summer lasts
With birds' song
But now draws near
the wind's blast
And weather strong
Ei, ei, what,
this night is long
And I with very great wrong
Sorrow and mourn fast
Merry 'tis
while summer lasts
With birds' song
But now draws near
the wind's...
(horse neighing)
But now draws near
the wind's blast
And weather strong...
-Hold the line!
-REBEL MAN: Hold the line!
-Hold!
-(singing stops)
We shall wait here
for the arrival of the king.
(rebels murmuring)
-(bird cawing)
-(wings fluttering)
(rustling)
(horse nickering)
Keep working.
(horses nickering)
(grunts)
(panting)
(rebels murmuring)
REBEL MAN:
Look, look, look.
-The king!
-(horse neighing)
-The king!
-REBELS: The king is here!
(cheering, excited chatter)
Long live the king!
(panting)
Hyah!
(panting)
(cheering and excited chatter
continue)
(rebels murmuring)
My lord.
Is the contagion of rage
now spent?
TYLER:
I believe it is, my lord.
We've restored order at last.
Get this man an ale.
(murmuring continues)
PLOUGHMAN (whispering):
Where are the charters?
The charters, can you see 'em?
You have achieved much.
TYLER:
Well, there is still much to do.
If we are to build
the great society,
we must cleanse every church.
The honest priests who have been
hiding in the hedgerows,
they can do that work.
And these men,
these men are ready
to lead their villages
themselves,
according to the law
and loyal to their good king.
Govern themselves?
In your name, of course.
PLOUGHMAN (whispering):
Something's not right.
No, something's not right.
Come with me.
(murmuring continues)
(panting)
I shall take you
to your charters.
They're not here?
They are at St. John's Priory.
Yonder.
We will go together.
And there,
you will kneel before me
and rise as Sir Wat Tyler.
Peer of the realm,
guardian of the king.
I cannot leave my men.
-Would you defy your king?
-No, my lord.
But we marched together,
and together we must stand.
To the end.
With you, of course.
Do not presume
to touch your king.
I mean no disrespect, my lord.
It is but a soldier's way.
I think perhaps
you are not loyal.
Who is this man, my lord?
I've been loyal my whole life.
Now a stranger says otherwise.
This man is the mayor of London.
Come on, my lord,
this can be done.
Look, your people
are waiting for you.
Lord, I beg you, please.
We can make a new start.
MAYOR:
I think I do know you, Tyler.
Are you not a thief?
TYLER:
I'm not a thief. I'm a soldier.
We can do this.
Your people are waiting.
-I beg you.
-(horse neighing)
PLOUGHMAN:
Something's wrong.
(Tyler groaning)
Show yourself, my lord.
We'll get Tyler.
Guard, to the king!
(rebels cheering)
(excited chatter)
RICHARD II:
I am your king and your captain.
Lay down your weapons
and follow me to your freedom!
(cheering)
(chuckles)
-(horse nickering)
-Hyah! Hyah!
No.
Hyah! Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!
(cheering and excited chatter
continue)
RICHARD II:
The great torment is over!
Lay down your weapons.
Lay your weapons down.
Follow me to St. John's Priory,
where your charters of freedom
await.
My noble servant Sir Wat Tyler
shall meet you there.
Follow me. Follow your king.
(cheering)
(bell tolling)
(pained grunt)
(groaning)
-(rebels continue cheering)
-(panting, grunting)
Make haste!
-(Tyler groans)
-SCRIBE: Help me.
REBELS:
The weeds, see them fall
The son of heaven
shall pay for all...
Where's Tyler?
-What?
-Where's Tyler?
Didn't the king say that
he'll meet us at the priory?
(panting)
(urgent chatter)
SCRIBE:
Rest here.
(Tyler groaning)
SCRIBE: Please, there are men...
men following us.
You help our cause?
-Yes.
-Then go and warn the others.
He has betrayed us.
Go!
There.
NUN:
Sir, please.
-No. This is a house of God!
-Away.
-Move!
-Mercy.
(nun whimpering)
(grunting)
(panting)
Scribe!
SCRIBE:
It's a trap! It's a trap!
Tyler's dying.
They've set a trap.
-Warn the pe... (groans)
-(blade strikes)
Come here!
Come here.
(grunting, panting)
-NUN: Water. We need water.
-(ragged breathing)
In the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit.
-(footsteps approaching)
-(weak, shallow breathing)
(lively chatter, laughter)
JOHN:
Look. There they are.
The charters of freedom.
Our charters wait for us.
Our charters are there.
The world gets to come.
They wait for us.
Our king is true!
(cheering)
(horse nickering)
(panting)
GUARD: Stop him
before he warns the others!
With me!
(panting)
(horse neighing)
(grunting)
(groans)
(yells, groans)
(straining)
(yells)
(panting)
(rebels cheering in distance)
JOHN:
Our future awaits!
Our king, our true king
has led us here
to our charters of freedom!
(excited chatter)
-REBEL MAN: There he is!
-REBEL WOMAN: It's true!
(chatter quiets)
My people...
...the true commons...
...behold.
Your charters!
(cheering)
(cheering continues in distance)
(panting)
PLOUGHMAN:
It's a trap!
They've killed him!
They've killed Tyler!
It's a trap!
They've killed Tyler!
Where are your weapons?
(cheering continues)
He's tricked us!
It's a trap!
Where are your weapons?
It's a trap! It's a trap!
Where are your weapons?
He's tricked us!
It's a trap!
Let me through! Let me through!
RICHARD II:
And behold, also...
(rebels gasping)
-...your leader!
-(rebels jeering)
-REBEL WOMAN: No!
-REBEL MAN: Traitor!
(panting)
-It's a trap!
-Tyler!
-Tyler!
No! Tyler!
(audio slows, distorts)
-You traitor!
Guards, now!
(arrows whooshing)
(arrows continue whooshing)
MAYOR:
Guards!
-(arrows striking)
-(groans)
(screaming)
(screaming)
(yelling)
(yelling)
(whimpering)
(arrows whooshing)
PLOUGHMAN:
Take cover!
(pained screaming)
(screams)
(yelling, grunting)
PLOUGHMAN:
Alyce! Alyce!
Go!
Alyce, come here! Back to back!
I commend you, my dear brother,
to Almighty God
and entrust you to your creator.
(yelling)
(horse neighing)
We need a way out.
-We need a way out.
-Where? Where?
That tree line there.
That tree line.
Everyone to the tree line!
Everyone to the tree line,
this way!
Everyone, that tree line there!
-Follow. Follow us.
-Ball!
-Come with us!
-My place is here.
Godspeed!
PLOUGHMAN: This way!
This way, into the forest!
Watch out! Watch out!
Come on! This way!
(pained screaming)
(rebel man grunting)
-(blade strikes)
-(screams)
-Come on, run, run, run!
-REBEL: Get behind the trees!
-Come on, come on, move!
-Into the forest!
-Move, move! Come on!
-Run! Get out the way!
PLOUGHMAN:
Through here!
-REBEL MAN: Take cover.
-PLOUGHMAN: Come, come, come.
Move, move, move. Take this.
-REBEL MAN: Over there!
-REBEL WOMAN: Keep running!
That cart! Bring that cart!
Bring that cart right here!
Bring those carts together.
(groaning)
Form a line.
This way!
-Push!
-PLOUGHMAN: Make a barricade.
(straining)
(panting)
REBEL WOMAN:
Take cover!
(yelling)
-Quick!
-REBEL MAN: Make way!
Bring it right there! Come on!
(yelling)
PLOUGHMAN:
Get up! Move!
Pull! Pull it, pull it, pull it!
REBEL MAN:
Before the horses come! Quick!
(yells)
-Take cover!
Get out of here. Go.
(yelling)
GUARD:
Move it! Come on!
-(yelling)
-(horse neighing)
-Come on. Whoa.
-Whoa. Whoa.
Here. Easy, easy.
Get around there!
Come on! Come on!
(quiet chatter)
(groaning)
(pained, labored breathing)
Is this not what you prayed for?
Am I not the king
you prayed for?!
The vanquisher of my enemies!
The bringer of peace.
The messiah.
Am I not?!
Am I not?
(bird cawing)
(wind howling)
(sniffles softly)
(sighs)
(sobs quietly)
(sobs)
(breathing deeply)
(sighs)
(scoffs)
(sighs)
(breathing deeply)
(birds chirping)
-MAYOR: Whoa.
-GUARD: Halt!
Whoa!
(horse whinnying)
Why do we stop?
Stay inside, Your Majesty.
Stand aside!
(arrow whooshing)
-(arrows whooshing)
-(guards groaning)
(horse neighing)
To the king!
(rebels shouting)
(grunting)
-(yells)
-(screams)
(rebels continue shouting)
(arrow whooshes)
(grunting)
(frantic, indistinct chatter)
-(horse neighing)
-(grunting)
(shouting continues)
-REBEL MAN: Get him!
-Bring him down!
(trembling breaths)
Help me. (grunts)
(horse neighing)
(mayor grunting)
(horse neighing)
PLOUGHMAN:
Time to pay.
(trembling breaths)
-(grunts)
-(Ploughman whimpers)
(both grunting)
(straining)
(yells in pain)
(Ploughman screams)
(both breathing heavily)
(yells)
(both groaning, panting)
(groans)
(grunting)
(panting)
-(panting)
-(mayor whimpering)
(yells)
(gasps)
(mayor groans)
(yelling in pain)
(yells, grunts)
(whimpers)
(grunting)
(Ploughman and mayor grunting)
(choking)
(choking)
(straining)
(gasping weakly)
-(Ploughman breathing heavily)
-(mayor's breathing stops)
(breathing heavily)
(breathing heavily)
(shuddering breaths)
-(rapid, trembling breaths)
-(countess screams)
Have something of yours.
-I do not know it.
-Look closer.
It has your seal.
It's just words.
Nothing more.
No, no, no.
It's the miracle we marched for.
It was no miracle.
You marched for a dream.
(gagging)
(gasping breaths)
(Richard II whimpering)
Just do it.
Do it.
Take it.
COUNTESS:
Mercy, please!
(gasping)
(choking)
(gasps)
No.
Kill a king...
(crown thuds on ground)
...there will always be another.
We rule ourselves now.
Out in the forest,
where you can't see us.
No kings.
Just ourselves alone.
And every night,
we will come for you
in your dreams,
and you will never have peace.
-(gasping breaths)
-(blade thuds)
(gasps)
(trembling breaths)
(footsteps receding)
-(thunder rumbling)
-(rain pattering)
(thunder crashes)
(Richard II screaming wildly)
(music ends)
-(birds screeching)
-(ox panting)
PLOUGHMAN:
Walk.
(ox lowing)
(Ploughman breathing heavily)
Walk.
(ox lowing)
(Ploughman groans)
Walk.
Walk. (grunts)
(panting)
(ox lowing)
(breathing deeply)
(groans)
-(wind howling)
-(breathing deeply)
(thunder rumbling)
(thunder crashes)
(rain pattering)
(breathing heavily)
(wind howling)
(sighs)
-(thunder rumbling)
-(rain pattering)
-(thunder crashes)
-(gasping)
(door creaking)
(trembling breaths)
(praying in Latin)
My lord.
(praying continues in Latin)
(voice trembling):
Save us, oh, Lord.
Protect us, I beg you.
Your council meets.
(whimpering)
(praying continues quietly)
This is your kingdom.
(breath trembling)
I will go to your father.
Pray with him
that you find your way.
(whimpering)
(door creaks shut)
HALES:
Our king is indisposed.
Again.
Alas, the needs of his kingdom
will not wait.
We must continue our work.
In his interests, of course.
My lords, we need more money.
If we do not raise more money,
our kingdom will surely fall.
(papers rustling)
The London merchants
should bear the burden.
If we tax the merchants,
then they will expect
a seat at our table.
Is that what you want?
What say you, Your Grace?
Your bishops and holy men
hold lands from coast to coast
and wealth beyond the counting.
The church is but a glimpse
of God's kingdom, my lord.
Tarnish her at your peril.
So we have no choice.
We must tax the common people.
(bell clanging)
(lively chatter)
(crowd clamoring)
VILLAGE MAN:
Get up!
-Quickly!
-PRIEST: I-I-I beg you...
I beg you, y-you may take
what is just and no more.
When you take this grain,
you take it out
of this child's mouth.
It is the king's order.
You must pay a tax.
PRIEST:
We have nothing more left.
COLLECTOR: The village owes
600 groats, so you must give
-your grain in payment.
-PRIEST: Can you not see
this grain is all we have
for the winter?
COLLECTOR:
The king has assessed Brentwood
to be of 200 persons.
-Three groats each
for these people? -Go back.
We-we don't have
three groats between us.
-Go back. -We are on our hands
and knees from the tax.
I've only women and children.
There are four of age
in your household.
-12 groats.
-My daughter is not yet 16.
She looks older to me.
Check her.
-No. No, no, no, no!
-PRIEST: She's a child.
-No! Please, sir, no!
-Sir, she's-she's a child.
(whimpering)
PRIEST: Sir, I beg you,
I beg you. Stop, child!
-Look! Look at her!
-(clamoring)
PRIEST:
The sin! She's a child!
She-she's only a child.
Will you stop?
-Look what they have done.
-Leave that child alone!
'Tis a sin! 'Tis a mortal sin.
She's of age.
Then she must pay.
The young women must prove
they're underage,
or they pay their taxes.
Check 'em all.
SERGEANT:
You, come here.
How many in your household?
I'm alone. Just myself.
COLLECTOR:
No family?
No, they died in the sickness.
(whimpering)
Help her!
-PRIEST: Hey!
-COLLECTOR: Can you give proof?
-VILLAGE WOMAN: Mercy!
-PLOUGHMAN: Proof?
COLLECTOR:
That they died.
Did you pay their death tax
to Lord Beauchamp?
-PRIEST: Have you no shame?
-(whimpers)
Gave him grain and my service.
Take the children home.
COLLECTOR:
Do you have record?
Do you have record?
Writ. Do you have it writ?
-It was seven years ago.
-Then you have no proof.
There's your choice.
You pay the death tax
or pay the king's tax.
It's up to you. Next!
-PRIEST: Let go. Careful.
-(clamoring)
COLLECTOR:
Stand aside, sir.
PRIEST: Hey! Hey, stop!
Stop this! Hey, hey!
-Stop! Stop! Hey, hey, hey!
-COLLECTOR: Stand aside, sir.
PRIEST:
Will you put a stop to this?
Stand aside, sir.
-Next!
-PRIEST: Hey!
Hey, stop this! Stop this!
How much are you making?
-What did you say?
-I said,
how much goes into your pocket,
you and the lord who sent you?
Listen, you pay your taxes
or you lose your hand.
We got another cheat. Sergeant!
PLOUGHMAN:
That's enough!
-Enough!
-(crowd quiets)
We've given you enough!
(crowd murmuring)
You shouldn't have done that,
farmer.
-(grunts)
-(crowd exclaiming)
-(grunts)
-(crowd exclaiming)
(yells)
(crowd cheering, clamoring)
(grunting)
-PRIEST: Go on, get out!
-Go on! Go on!
(grunting)
Kill him! (yells)
(clamoring continues)
(grunting)
(breathing heavily)
(clamoring continues)
(village woman cheering)
(panting)
(indistinct chatter)
VILLAGE MAN:
Please hurry to the forest!
(indistinct chatter continues)
VILLAGE WOMAN:
What should we do?
VILLAGE MAN: They'll come back
and arrest us all.
They'll come back.
They will kill us.
-There's nowhere to run to.
We can't flee.
(baby crying)
VILLAGE WOMAN:
We can't fight.
VILLAGE MAN:
This will kill us.
-Keep... keep on moving.
(indistinct chatter continues)
-What are we going to do?
-(blade scraping)
-VILLAGE WOMAN: Oh, Jesus.
Save us. Save us.
VILLAGE MAN:
They'll arrest us all.
They'll kill us.
-Mercy.
Please, Father, mercy.
(horses neighing)
-(birds calling)
-(horses approaching)
What is happening here, priest?
The taxes, my lord.
You ask too much.
It is what is asked, no more.
BELKNAP:
We know who you are.
Your Lord Beauchamp has records
at his manor house
of all bound to his land.
-Do you not, my lord?
-BEAUCHAMP: Every name
and every debt,
writ in ink and sealed.
BELKNAP:
Well, then there it is.
He is your lord.
He owns you and all you make.
He says pay taxes,
you pay taxes.
He says work harder,
you work harder.
That is the law.
Hmm.
BELKNAP:
Consider this, then.
There is one amongst you
who has killed
a sergeant in arms.
You give me his name,
or all will be charged
with his crime.
-Your name?
-Ploughman.
"Ploughman."
I am what I do.
So, what say you, Ploughman?
I struck a man, my lord.
I struck a man...
...to protect a child.
I-I'll pay for it, as you wish.
But not until our plea is heard.
You take him.
PLOUGHMAN:
Mercy on us.
I pray you,
mercy on my brothers.
-Mercy on my brothers, my lord.
-This is not justice, my lord.
-I am justice, priest.
-PRIEST: This is not justice.
PLOUGHMAN:
Mercy on my brothers, my lord.
The chief justice
of the king's highest court.
-What I say is justice.
-PLOUGHMAN: My lord.
Mercy on my brothers, my lord!
They've done nothing wrong.
This farmer shall dance to it
-on my word.
-PRIEST: 'Tis not justice.
This is not in accordance
to God's will.
PLOUGHMAN:
My brothers have done nothing.
Mercy on my brothers, my lord.
They've done nothing wrong,
my lord!
-They've done nothing!
-(villagers yelling)
(grunting and groaning)
(horse squealing)
(clamoring)
VILLAGE MAN:
Get him off! Get him off!
-(neighing)
-(yelling)
PLOUGHMAN:
Bring him down!
-Get him off that horse!
(groaning)
I will burn you!
Grab it! Grab the jewels!
You savages.
(whimpering)
(screams) No, no, no!
(grunts fiercely)
(screaming)
-You monster!
BELKNAP:
Jesus! (grunting)
(gasping)
No, no, no, no!
Wait, not like that! Back!
Bring him up. Bring him up.
Bind him up. Bind him up.
Not the boy. Not the boy.
Easy, easy.
-No. No.
-(laughter)
The law is writ by the king.
It cannot be denied.
Will you tell him from us,
the laws he writes
put honest men in chains.
Remember our mercy.
-(hollering, jeering)
-(horse whinnies)
(laughter, clamoring)
PLOUGHMAN: We come
for Lord Beauchamp's records!
(yelling)
Burn all the records
so they won't know who we are!
Any parchment!
Anything with a seal, burn it!
-Any record, burn it all!
(clamoring)
There's more in the back!
Get 'em!
-Grab whatever you can
and burn 'em!
Let's go! Take everything!
Take everything!
Burn the papers!
-Burn it to the ground!
(gasping)
RICHARD II (voice trembling):
Every night, I see...
hooded devils...
coming for us.
Do they speak?
In tongues of...
...rage.
My lord, you are our messiah.
God chose you alone
to do his will.
He will not forsake you.
Put your trust in us,
your council.
We will guide you.
(footsteps echoing)
(inhales sharply)
Help me. I beg you.
Help me, my husband.
Free our son from his torment.
Show him how to be king.
(sniffles)
(wind whistling softly)
I have word.
From across the river.
The people of Kent have risen.
They gather now in Maidstone
in solidarity with us.
How?
How is that...
how is that possible?
Know you John Ball,
the Outlaw Priest?
Our brothers in Kent
have freed him
from the archbishop's prison.
And he commands us all--
every miller, every ploughman--
and he says, "Now is the time
for the Great Rebellion."
I can't leave them.
No, I... I can't.
I know they haunt you.
But you won't be
abandoning them.
They'd want you
to fight this injustice,
as they cannot.
'Tis only then will they rest.
JOHN:
Good people of Kent, hear me!
(crowd clamoring)
For these long months
in the archbishop's jail
have left me much to say.
(crowd clamoring)
Once, this land was
fertile and free,
but now it is chained and broke.
Broke by the traitor lords
who keep you their slaves.
(crowd clamoring)
They're feasting and whoring
in grand palaces
with you, the rain
and wind at your back,
as you toil before the plough.
(crowd clamoring)
When Adam delved and Eve span,
who then was the gentleman?
(cheering)
Are we not all descended
from one father and mother?
-(cheering)
-Yes!
But do not fear, good people,
for the threshing time
is upon us.
Let us march
to the great city of London...
(cheering)
...and petition our king
for justice.
(cheering)
And let us go to him
on Corpus Christi,
the great feast day of miracles,
for if we do, I swear,
God will grant us
our own miracle.
-(cheering)
-Yeah!
-Are you with us?
-VILLAGE MAN: Yes!
(cheering)
JOHN:
Amen. God is with us.
God is with us.
God is with us all.
John Ball.
-She must find it.
-Okay.
-Yes.
-I'm Ploughman,
from across the river.
My... my priest sent me.
Come.
PLOUGHMAN:
Priest says to tell you
he's gathering men to join you.
How many?
All of south marsh,
east marsh also.
A thousand souls at least.
He travels now.
Vouches 2,000 by tomorrow,
maybe more.
JOHN:
The fire you've lit burns.
You've done well, Ploughman.
These men are with you?
These are, yeah.
-These men, they need water.
-Aye, Father.
JOHN:
Bless you.
JOHN:
Tyler.
(indistinct, lively chatter)
-Farmer from the marshes.
-Aye.
The one who started all this.
-The same.
-I'm Tyler.
I lead the men of Kent.
Follow me.
-Soldiers, all?
-Patriots.
We shed blood
for our country in France
these past 15 winters.
Returned to find England weak,
our church corrupt,
borders undefended,
and our young king
ruled over by old men
who bleed the land dry
for their pleasure.
JOHN:
It's been like that ever since
the great Book of Domesday.
300 years ago,
the French king conquered us,
he took the crown
and set down in Domesday
all the riches of the land.
Every field, every horse,
every working man.
And then he stole them all.
Divvied them
to his lords and bishops,
binding you like a slave
while God turned away in fury
to see his land so sullied.
Chasing off one tax collector
is not enough.
Sacking one manor house
is not enough.
We must take it all back,
everything writ in Domesday.
They will fight, will they not,
to keep what they have?
We will use feast day as cover.
Strike while they are at play.
One army from Kent, the other
with your priest from Essex.
Another from Hertfordshire,
from Bedfordshire, from Suffolk,
moving together as one.
There are many in London
forced to live in the filth
beyond the city walls.
They think as we do.
They are ready to join us.
Cast eyes upon those
raised by your stand.
See? They come.
To march beneath
our king's standard.
Join us, Ploughman.
Together, our voices
will have the power
to raise fallen kings.
(banging at door)
(door cracks)
-(door bangs open)
-(rebels clamoring)
(whimpering)
(clamoring continues)
REBEL (in distance): The church
hoards the wealth for itself!
WOMAN:
Your Majesty.
REBEL MAN (in distance):
Destroy all the wealth!
(clamoring continues)
-Smash it all down!
WOMAN:
Come along, Your Majesty.
(door opens)
(yelling)
Tell the archbishop in London
we're coming for him.
(horse neighing)
GUARD:
Guards, make haste!
Up horses!
-Move!
-Hyah, hyah, hyah!
Come!
(knocking)
You must rise, my lord,
to speak with us.
My lord, a mob protesting taxes
gather in Kent and Essex.
And the cathedral at Kent
has fallen.
-Canterbury is defenseless.
-And your armies are far away,
and we fear
the rebels plan for London.
They will be here
in two days' time.
I saw this coming.
I saw this coming.
Did I not see this coming?
HALES:
You need to rise, my lord,
and defend your kingdom
from these deplorables.
(sighs)
(lively, indistinct chatter)
TYLER:
Ploughman?
I have a sense
this ought to be your flame.
REBEL MAN:
There he is. That's him.
REBEL WOMAN:
We stand with you!
REBEL MAN:
Ploughman is here.
-Ploughman, we're here for you.
Ploughman, we're here for you.
REBEL WOMAN:
We're with you, Ploughman.
-(flame whooshing)
-(rebels cheering)
(laughter, excited chatter)
(cheering)
JOHN:
See our brothers' signal?
They wait for us.
TYLER:
We make this pledge...
to be as one voice!
Loyal only to our cause
and to our king!
With whom do you hold?
REBELS: King Richard
and the true commons!
TYLER:
Right, onward!
And let's march to London!
(cheering)
REBELS:
Gold
And see us beggars grow cold
Our land is still
and learns to sleep
We have no corn
or rye to reap
They take our coin
to make their gold
And see us beggars grow cold
Our land is still
and learns to sleep
We have no corn
or rye to reap
They take our coin
to make their gold
And see us beggars grow cold
Our land is still
and learns to sleep...
-(chuckles)
-(ox lowing)
You were touched.
By King Death.
Seven years past.
And yet you lived.
Is that not a sign?
If it is, it's a cruel one.
My family died.
I put them all in the earth.
God has taken much from you.
God left my fields long ago.
No, he has not left you.
It is his plan.
His plan?
Why would God have a plan
to cause us such pain?
The sickness was his punishment
for the crimes of the rich.
So why do we suffer also?
To show us the truth.
And fill us with rage.
Surrender to it,
and it will set you free.
(rebels continue singing
and chattering indistinctly)
Bless you, child. Bless you.
Word from the slums
outside the city.
The London commons
stand ready to join us.
Do they share our cause, John?
If it ends well,
all will be well.
Even if our friend from
the marshes does not yet see it.
Our land is still
and learns to sleep
We have no corn
or rye to reap...
You're from east fen?
I heard you speak of it.
Yes.
I'm Alyce from north fen.
You're not the only
marsh walker here.
You're of the church also?
I was.
You left?
When John Ball raised me
from darkness.
And set me on
this righteous road.
To London.
The sun shining on the spires
of a hundred churches.
It's a good place for a miracle,
is it not?
I know only what I can see
or hold in my hand.
We cannot know the miracle,
but it will come.
You'll see.
All will be well once
the poison of wealth is removed.
(distant clamoring)
(clamoring continues)
TYLER:
Destroy all the church's wealth!
Destroy it all!
To right a wrong long-standing!
Anything of value--
gold, furnishings, tapestries--
set it ablaze!
Throw it on the flame!
(clamoring continues)
ALYCE:
Repent for your sins!
Repent! Repent!
I shall never fall to the floor!
ALYCE:
Repent!
Repent for what you've done!
TYLER:
Ploughman!
Get out into the fields.
Blockade the road.
We'll stay back
and sift through this place.
-Right.
-Search any moving to London.
(clamoring continues)
Do you not deserve this
for what you have done?
You've brought great shame
upon God.
Repent for your sins!
Repent for your sins!
Repent!
(hoofbeats approaching)
-Hyah!
-Hyah!
REBEL MAN:
Carriages are approaching.
-Wake up, everyone.
-Carriages.
-Carriages.
-Carriages are coming. Wake up.
-Come on. This way.
-(horse neighing)
PLOUGHMAN:
Wake up. Make ready.
Wake up.
REBEL MAN:
Get your positions.
PLOUGHMAN:
Remember our orders.
We search any moving to London.
Easy.
(horse neighing)
Easy.
-Stop.
-GUARD: Halt!
-GUARD: Whoa, whoa!
-You, stand aside!
We have no quarrel
with you good men.
Make way!
Save your steel.
We only wish to know who rides.
(rebels murmuring)
Let him pass.
PLOUGHMAN:
Search the rest.
REBEL MAN:
Aye.
-Open that.
-Yeah.
Dare you not show your face
to the mother of the crown?
(rebels murmuring)
PLOUGHMAN:
Forgive me, my lady.
Who are you?
I am Ploughman from east fen.
Why do you take the road?
We come to petition the king,
my lady.
I come from Canterbury.
You sullied the cathedral.
You think the king
will hear your petition
when you burn his lands
and hold hostage
his beloved mother?
It is the king
who is held hostage.
By his council.
Is he not?
We-we march to free him
from the traitors
who have him prisoner.
I fear you travel a hard road.
The king is young,
and his council is strong.
It is they who write the laws.
Does justice not come from God,
who gives it to his servant,
the king?
It does.
I will pray
that he finds the strength
to reveal it to you.
And delivers the rest you seek
at your journey's end.
HALES: Recalling your armies
from France
and Scotland, my lord.
To quell this turmoil.
The duty of a king, my lord.
Defeat your enemies abroad
and keep order at home.
Just as your forefathers
have always done.
Mm.
ALYCE:
Merry it is
While summer lasts
(other rebels joining in):
With birds' song
But now draws near
the wind's blast
And weather strong
Ei, ei, what
This night is long
Merry it is
while summer lasts
With birds' song
But now draws near
the wind's blast
And weather strong
-(clamoring)
-Ei, ei, what...
We found them on the road!
Get Tyler.
(groans)
-(clamoring continues)
-Round them all!
No! No!
(indistinct shouting)
REBEL MAN:
We want justice!
-He beat my son dead!
PLOUGHMAN:
Easy, easy, easy.
All right, all right, all right.
Father, no!
No!
Who are you? Hey. Who are you?
I'm Sir John Newton,
lord of these lands.
-Where do you travel?
-The king recalled his council.
Keep them back. Keep them back.
Get back! Get back, all of you!
Tyler. Where is Tyler? Tyler.
This man has knowledge
of the king.
Come here.
No! (sobbing)
TYLER:
Bring him away from the crowd!
(clamoring continues)
Keep 'em back. Keep 'em back.
Shut your holes, all of you!
Keep 'em back!
(sobbing)
Get back! Shut up, all of you!
You know him?
I sit on the king's council.
And where is he now?
Windsor Castle.
-Not in... not in London?
-No, no, no.
We keep him outside the city
for his safety.
-So you can rule as you please!
-No!
-No, no, no, no!
-REBEL MAN: Take his head!
-Kill 'em all!
-(rebels shouting)
REBEL WOMAN:
Kill him! Take off his head!
No! John! (sobbing)
Kate!
-Hold 'em. Control 'em.
-NEWTON: Kate!
-Move back! Clear the way!
-TYLER: Shut it!
-Show me.
-What?
-Show you?
-Show me. Here.
-(Newton stammering)
-Here, right here.
All right. All right.
Uh, if we are here,
um, London is here.
And Windsor,
25 miles to the west.
Two days more.
We will miss Corpus Christi.
Show me London.
How is she defended?
NEWTON:
London...
The river, like this.
The city walls.
There's a bridge,
the only access from the south.
TYLER:
Is it guarded?
Perhaps a hundred men.
No others?
What of the king's armies?
-NEWTON: In Scotland, France.
-(whispering): We can take it.
But they make haste to return.
The courts of justice,
the palaces, where are they?
Yes, the courts of justice,
they're here.
The archbishop's palace here,
by the river.
And Treasurer Hales'
palace also.
We should take the city
while we can.
Take Domesday.
Deliver the miracle.
Our brothers in the slums
-stand ready to join us.
-REBEL MAN: Let's ride now!
But we don't come for London.
We come to petition the king.
Our people there are ready
to rise up.
It is all prepared.
If we take the city,
the king will come.
Have faith.
-God will see it so. -Take his
head off and let it burn!
-Kill him!
-I can help! I can help.
He says he can help.
How can you help?
I can ride now to the king
at Windsor, parley for you.
Set a meeting.
(laughter)
-Yes, I can!
-A message from your priest.
-The Essex army are waiting.
-JOHN: You think us foolish?
We know who you are.
-Hold him.
-JOHN: You are the lord
that keeps your foot
on our throats.
-Essex army sends word.
-JOHN: He will keep you low.
PLOUGHMAN:
They're closing on London fast.
-JOHN: He will keep you tired.
-NEWTON: No, this is not true.
JOHN:
He will keep you sick.
Let the people
take their justice,
and we march this very night!
(cheering)
You hurry your harvest,
John Ball.
I say we use this man.
Let him deliver our message
to the king.
-(rebels protesting)
-ALYCE: Do you not hear them?
-They demand justice!
-REBEL MAN: Justice!
Justice!
Killing him brings us nothing!
Better we meet with the king,
have him walk us
into London himself.
So we enter like whipped dogs?
No, no, no, no.
Like his true commons.
That was the oath we took.
Is it not?
Tyler.
I say Ploughman is right.
If we are true,
we ought to show it.
Tell the king we meet him here,
just outside the city walls,
-by the river at Blackheath.
-Yes.
Be prepared to move
at first light.
Yes.
Tell the Essex army
to join us there.
My family?
TYLER: They will stay
until your return.
-Hugh!
-HUGH: Sir!
-Arthur!
-ARTHUR: Aye, sir.
TYLER: Take the family
further into the forest.
Guard them.
Have the women tend to them.
Suzanne!
-No! No! No!
-No! Da!
I'll see you to your steed.
REBEL MAN:
Go on, move! Go!
Do you believe he will return?
I believe he will for them, yes.
You cannot trust these people.
You cannot.
We'll see.
-(thunder rumbling)
-(rain pattering)
GUARD:
Attend to your king.
(quiet chatter)
(door closes)
(snapping fingers)
My lord, I beg not
to displease you
with a message I must deliver.
It is worse than we knew,
my lord.
Two rebel armies converge
on London.
Perhaps 10,000, maybe more.
They call upon you
to meet them at Blackheath
to petition you in person,
my lord.
A mob cannot summon a king.
Who leads them?
NEWTON:
A soldier, Wat Tyler.
He is a veteran
of your father's campaigns.
Find his record.
And, uh a preacher also,
John Ball,
the heretic
my lord archbishop imprisoned.
The mob freed him,
and he vows revenge.
Do they say what they want?
NEWTON: They believe the king
will deliver them a miracle
on Corpus Christi Day.
A miracle?
Their freedom.
ARCHBISHOP: My lord,
this is John Ball's poison.
He promises miracles.
He delivers only
the devil's work, destruction.
(Belknap muttering)
NEWTON:
My lord, they have my family.
ARCHBISHOP:
My lord, I know these people.
I know them.
I was born among them.
I know their bodies toil
in the sodden earth,
but their souls aspire
to the heavens.
They ask you for a miracle?
Let us deliver them a miracle.
Tomorrow is
the Feast of Corpus Christi,
the day of miracles.
Let us take the king
to the Blackheath.
And let them behold
his radiance,
and let them kneel before him.
And let him hear their petition.
And then you will ask them
to disperse.
And disperse they surely will,
for they shall have witnessed
the miracle of your presence.
And then later,
when we have bought time
for your armies to return...
We will crush them.
The king is not bait,
Archbishop.
No, madam, he is our salvation,
as God intended.
What say you, my lord?
We, your council, can advise,
but, of course,
it's only you that can decide.
(thunder rumbling softly)
As my council wishes.
(chiming loudly)
(lively chatter)
(bells continue chiming)
(priests chanting in Latin)
MAN:
Mercy.
Glory be to God.
(indistinct chatter)
-Christ with us.
-Save our souls.
(chanting continues in Latin)
WOMAN:
Lord have mercy on my soul.
MAN:
Oh, give us courage.
Give us strength.
-Keep us in thy grace.
-Be with us.
(straining)
-The miracle of Corpus Christi.
The miracle.
(horse neighing)
-My lord, the people need you.
Help us. Help us.
(indistinct chatter)
(bells chiming)
-GUARD: Make way for the king.
-ARCHBISHOP: Lord God,
heavenly King,
holy Son of the Father,
lamb of God that taketh away
the sin of the world,
hear our prayer,
for you alone are the Lord.
You alone are the Most High.
The glory of God the Father.
Amen.
(sighs)
(bells chiming in distance)
(quiet chatter)
(bells continue chiming)
(quiet chatter)
REBEL MAN:
The king!
He's here!
(cheering, excited laughter)
The king. The king!
-The king is here!
GUARD:
Hail, hail!
OARSMAN:
Long stroke.
Heave!
(cheering, excited chatter)
REBEL WOMAN:
That's his boat! He's come!
REBEL MAN:
The miracle of Corpus Christi!
All hail the king!
-The king!
-Behold the miracle!
The miracle!
REBEL WOMAN:
Long live the king!
-All hail the king!
(rebels cheering)
Hold here.
Tell them no further.
-SCRIBE: Hold the boat.
-OARSMAN: Hold!
(lively chatter)
-Do you see him?
-I do not understand.
JOHN: That boat is not moving.
They're stopped.
He stopped.
Why do we wait?
I thought we were going
to shore.
You've descended sufficiently,
my lord.
It is enough to be seen.
Your presence is felt
among them.
We don't think it's safe for you
to go to shore, my lord.
We will send a messenger
to parley on your behalf.
COUNTESS: Will you not permit
the king to speak?
He wishes to hear his people.
ARCHBISHOP:
We are mindful of the king,
your son's royal person, madam.
As you said, my lady,
he is not bait.
HALES: Go to the shore.
Find out what they want.
Tell them to go home.
Yes, my lord.
BELKNAP (whispering): Just like
the baying of wild animals,
-savages.
-SCRIBE: Boat.
-Why is he stopped there?
-(rebels murmuring)
-Why is he stopped?
-He's coming.
ALYCE:
They're sending a boat.
JOHN:
That can't be the king.
I'll go?
-Find out who it is.
-Go.
I'll report back.
Wait! Wait.
Here is our petition
of the list of the traitors.
Be sure to deliver
the people's will.
(hushed):
This is not right, Tyler.
This is not right,
and you know it.
REBEL MAN:
We were promised!
-Who is this boy?
OARSMAN:
Heave!
Heave! Heave!
REBEL MAN:
This isn't proper.
-This is just a messenger.
-OARSMAN: Heave!
Who is this person?
OARSMAN:
Lay to.
I-I come with word
from your king.
He asks why you assemble.
To petition him with
our grievances, nothing more.
Speak on them.
I will convey your word to him.
We were promised an audience
with our king.
We were promised
the king would meet us.
He must hear your petition
in full first.
(rebels murmuring)
REBEL WOMAN:
No, we did not approve this!
-Look at this.
This is not right.
HALES:
Sire, the rebels have given
the scribe their petition.
Shall I not at least receive it?
HALES:
Let us do it, my lord.
We are your council.
We dirty our hand
to keep yours clean.
As you wish.
Thank you, sire.
It is wise.
Wise choice, my lord.
(rebels murmuring, protesting)
REBEL MAN:
What is this?
The king will consider
your petition...
...but commands you first
to return to your homes.
-REBELS: No!
-(rebels shouting angrily)
You must return to your homes.
(angry shouting continues)
You hear their anger, scribe?
"Return home"?
-I'm sorry.
-They came to see their king.
They came for a miracle.
-I cannot control them.
-I am just a messenger.
Whose will is it, theirs or his?
Whose will? His will or theirs?
(angry shouting continues)
(rebels jeering)
OARSMAN:
Here, boys.
SCRIBE:
It's their petition, my lord.
I can see that, boy.
A list.
Our names writ as traitors.
(councilmen whispering)
Return to the Tower immediately.
(rebels shouting, jeering)
HALES:
Guards, pull back.
Protect the king.
-GUARD: Form up.
-GUARD 2: Places.
OARSMAN:
Pull!
Pull!
(rebels clamoring)
He's not coming to shore.
What?
Talk to the people, John.
They said they'll consider
our petition,
but in the meantime,
for us to go back to our homes.
JOHN:
Listen! Listen!
The traitors
have stolen your king
and trampled our petition
in the mud!
I told you
we cannot trust these people.
If the king does not come to us,
then I say we go to him!
-We must go to him!
-JOHN: Go!
-(rebels cheering)
-Go! Go!
TYLER:
Form up. Villages together.
Ploughman, I need you
and your men at the front now.
-JOHN: Go!
-TYLER: Our only chance
is to make haste.
Get word to our brothers
across the river!
We march on London!
-Now!
-(cheering)
Alyce.
(rebels shouting)
Command the oarsmen
to row faster.
SCRIBE:
Yes, my lord. Faster!
-Oarsmen, return to the Tower.
-OARSMAN: To the Tower!
HALES:
When we reach the Tower,
take the king to his quarters.
Keep him close guarded
at all times.
-GUARD: Yes, sir.
-OARSMAN: Row forth!
OARSMAN 2:
Row forth.
-(rebels singing)
-TYLER: We target the courts,
we target the records,
we target the palace
and nothing more.
No looting!
REBELS:
The time is now...
We free the king peacefully
and arrest the traitors
that hold him prisoner.
(rebels shouting)
MAYOR:
So, what now?
-You got a new plan?
-We stay in here and wait
for as long as it takes
for the king's armies to return.
HALES:
The mayor of London, my lord.
He's worried about
the safety of the city.
Tower can't be breached.
The king will be safe in here.
Meanwhile, issue a curfew.
Cancel feast day.
Clear the streets.
Cancel feast day? Are you mad?
-And clear the streets.
-You see the crowds out there.
Don't argue about it, Mayor.
Just do it.
And gather your merchants'
militias immediately,
and put them at
the king's disposal.
If you want our militias,
you'll have to pay for them.
Protection costs money.
ARCHBISHOP (chuckles):
Extortion.
HALES: Guards, escort the king
to his quarters.
(rebels clamoring and singing)
JOHN:
Tell all the London brothers
that we are headed
to the bridge.
Tell them to get
the drawbridge down.
They must act now.
Spread the word
to every parishioner,
every prisoner, every beggar.
Everyone you can find,
you must get them onside. Go.
-Go now. Go now. -We need
that drawbridge down now.
(cheering, laughter)
(rebels clamoring)
HALES: Get the messengers
in here immediately.
ARCHBISHOP: We need maps.
Fetch the city charter.
(door creaking shut)
My lords, the rebels approach
the city from two sides.
A large mob from the south
towards London Bridge.
(rebels continue clamoring)
TYLER:
Strike only if stricken upon!
Prepare to take the city!
There's also another huge mob
approaching the east gate.
(busy chatter)
(rebels continue clamoring)
Get messengers
up the watchtowers.
We need to cover their route.
We need to know where they are
at all times. Go.
(rebels cheering)
We've got to free the king!
Come on, hurry up!
-(rebels shouting)
-REBEL MAN: Right now!
(clamoring continues
in distance)
(arrow whooshing)
(guard groans)
(grunting and groaning)
(clamoring continues)
TYLER:
Join us!
Do not fear us!
-Join us! Join us!
-We're here to free the king!
(clamoring continues)
PLOUGHMAN:
We've come to free the king.
It's time.
It's time to free the king.
ALYCE:
Join us. Join us.
Join us. Fight for justice.
He's hostage.
Come with us. Come with us.
We take the courts.
You take the palaces
by the river.
Hales's palace.
Hales's palace, Belknap's court.
-Go for the archbishop.
-Go for the archbishop.
Find the traitors
and arrest them.
-Come with us. Join us.
-Come with us.
We've come to free the king.
This way. West. West.
Ball! Ball!
We go for the archbishop.
This way.
Go. The archbishop!
Come, come. This way.
ARCHBISHOP:
The bridge was up.
How did they cross the river?
MESSENGER: Rebel sympathizers
inside the city
have lowered the drawbridge.
They have come out of the slums
and joined them.
They are separating
into three columns.
The rebels are everywhere.
(clamoring continues)
TYLER:
We'll search the place.
Find the lord chief justice
and arrest him.
REBEL MAN:
Break every chest!
(clamoring continues)
-Take them all!
(clamoring continues)
JOHN:
Come on!
Inside, inside!
We come for
the traitor archbishop!
(yelling)
JOHN:
Find the archbishop!
Look at this!
You see how
your honorable archbishop lives?
You see this?
You see it?
You see it?
You see how he lives?
(clamoring continues)
PLOUGHMAN:
We come for the traitor.
We come for Treasurer Hales.
TYLER:
Burn it all!
Every record, every name,
every false justice
to the flame!
(rebels yelling)
-(panting)
-(rebels chattering quietly)
Look at all of this.
Where are they?
All the palaces are burning,
and they're setting
-all the records on fire.
-And the courts of justice?
MESSENGER: Piles of parchments
burning in the streets.
They've come to destroy
the law itself.
ARCHBISHOP:
This is not the work of man.
This is the devil's work.
Whether devil or man,
they have the city.
Every part of it!
HALES:
Then gather your militias
and buy us time
until the armies return.
Then pay for them.
Give us a seat at the table!
MESSENGER 2: We have word
from the watchtowers.
The mob is turning.
They're heading for the Tower.
They're coming for us!
(indistinct chatter)
-TYLER: Hugh!
-HUGH: Aye, sir.
TYLER:
Guard every gate.
Watch the water.
William, find something.
A yard, a shed, something solid
that would do
for our headquarters.
The traitors must be holding
the king prisoner
inside the Tower.
-I want the whole Tower sealed.
-REBEL MAN: Aye.
JOHN:
Tyler!
Where have you been?
PLOUGHMAN:
Tyler, can we get in?
It's impossible.
Look at the walls.
So we just wait?
We can secure the area
best we can.
But if we wait,
their armies will return
before we can starve them out.
I say that we lay waste
to the city.
We find all who serve them--
every judge, every lawman--
and we show them
the people's justice.
That does not help our cause,
John Ball.
Well, they keep the records.
They write the laws.
It is the destruction
of their order
-that draws their attention.
-We've come for the king.
Yeah, we came because
God called us to.
To witness a miracle,
and here it is.
The people are speaking.
It is as it was writ.
It is not writ, John Ball.
We have to fashion our ends.
-It is writ!
-We have to free the king.
We have to make him hear us.
That's the only way.
(rebels murmuring)
King!
King! King!
King!
Call him! Call him! Come on!
-Call him! Together!
-REBELS (chanting): King! King!
-Together as one!
-King!
King! King! King!
King! King! King!
-Come on, come on!
-King! King!
King! King! King!
King! King!
King! King! King!
King! King!
-King! King! King!
-Call him! Call him!
-King! King! King! King!
-Call him! Call him!
King! King! King!
REBELS (in distance):
King! King! King! King!
King! King! King!
King! King! King!
(chanting continues faintly
in distance)
(chanting continues in distance)
My lord, the rebels
have entered the city.
How...
Never fear, my lord.
The Tower is impregnable.
Your royal personage...
(chanting continues in distance)
How long until my armies return?
Ten days, my lord.
RICHARD II:
Ten days?
For my kingdom to burn!
(chanting continues in distance)
You foolish old men.
You presume to tell me
how to be a king.
What is your counsel, Mayor?
MAYOR:
My lord,
the merchants of London
can gather their militia.
All 24 wards are willing,
but they will not do it
for free.
HALES:
My lord, this is blackmail.
They are demanding
40,000 pounds.
The merchants seek
to exploit you
at your moment
of greatest peril.
There is no blackmail, my lord.
-Protection costs money.
-HALES: Your outrageous...
Your council bends the knee
for lands and privileges
-that you gift.
-(others arguing)
But they will not pay
to keep your realm safe.
-HALES: ...exploiting the king!
-You will...
-(distant chanting continues)
-Listen.
REBELS (in distance):
King! King! King! King! King!
Listen.
(chanting continues in distance)
Can you not hear their rage?
(chanting continues in distance)
(snaps fingers)
It is time for us all
to taste humility.
(sighs) Of course, sire. Indeed.
(chanting continues in distance)
I will hear their grievances.
Scribe.
Tell them I shall meet
their leaders tomorrow.
Their leaders only,
outside the city walls.
Mayor.
You will lead me.
My council will stay here
lest they inflame
my people further.
I will meet them,
and we will celebrate
our miracle together.
(chanting continues in distance)
-(chanting stops)
-(drawbridge creaking)
(rebels murmuring)
-REBEL MAN: Our king!
-My lord.
-My lord.
-Hear our cries.
-Hear us.
-Please.
Hear our petition.
(lively chatter)
-Please help us.
-Save us.
Your people need you.
-Help us.
-Please!
(chatter continues)
-TYLER: Form up!
-REBEL MAN: Form up!
(horse neighing)
Sword!
You are Tyler.
Your loyal soldier, sire.
You fought for my father.
Shed blood for him
in Aquitaine and Spain.
What is your petition?
A new settlement, my lord.
The wealth of Domesday
returned to the people.
Fair taxes, fair wages.
Fixed rents.
To work where we choose.
Not be tethered to land by birth
that we do not own,
and to sell what we make
by the sweat of our brow.
And for our rebellion,
no retribution.
Is that your petition all?
All, my lord.
JOHN:
No.
We...
We must have the traitors.
Those whose enrichment
is the cause
of the people's suffering.
John Ball, my lord. The heretic.
Traitors?
JOHN: I have their names here,
my lord.
(horse nickers)
The names of your council,
my lord.
You ask much of your king.
JOHN:
We ask for justice, my lord.
For the crooked ways
to be made straight.
That is all.
RICHARD II:
And what of you?
Are you not the one who spoke
at the river's edge?
I am, my lord.
You say nothing,
while they have much to say.
PLOUGHMAN:
I am... I am no soldier.
I am no priest.
I'm...
I'm-I'm... I'm just a farmer.
I come from the land, my lord.
I...
I live by it.
I will return to it in my end.
But it is broken, my lord.
We are forced to work it
beyond what it can give us,
and...
and so, too...
are we worked...
...beyond what our bodies,
our souls can take.
And the-the ones
that we love, my lord,
the ones that we lost...
(sniffles)
...in the sickness...
...they do not rest, my lord.
They-they haunt us.
They torment us in our dreams.
You see them?
I hear them, my lord.
And what do they say?
They say there will be no peace
until we are healed.
(crying softly)
(rebels murmuring,
crying softly)
God hears you.
Your king hears you.
Your demands shall be met.
(rebels murmuring)
We will make a new settlement
this day.
Drawn from the Book of Domesday.
And the torment
that afflicts us all shall end.
(rebels murmuring, chuckling)
We will travel
to the royal scriptorium
to draw charters of freedom
for all who marched.
Follow us there.
You will give him your words,
and he shall write them.
What say you, my lady?
You have revealed yourself
a king, my lord.
Is that not so, Ploughman?
The most just king, my lady.
The most merciful king.
(rebels murmuring)
JOHN:
What of the traitors?
They must be part of this.
Standard.
RICHARD II: The men you seek
are at the Tower.
Take what justice
you say is owed, in my name.
My lord.
Justice has a price,
does it not?
And when it is paid,
we shall all have peace.
You hold my kingdom
in your hand.
Use it wisely.
King Richard
and the true commons.
REBELS: King Richard
and the true commons!
Sword!
Work fast, Ploughman.
Once we draw blood,
we open the gates of hell.
SCRIBE:
Ploughman.
Come.
(rebels clamoring)
REBEL MAN:
Long live the king.
-To the Tower!
-Now is the time!
(rebels yelling)
-REBEL WOMAN: Round them up!
-REBEL MAN: Traitors!
-Reel them in!
REBEL WOMAN:
The traitors!
-REBEL MAN: To the Tower!
-Kill the traitors!
Move!
-Cut their heads off!
-Justice!
-The king wills it.
-Get inside!
(rebels clamoring)
Find the traitors!
-This way!
-(clamoring)
TYLER: We come only
for the king's council!
REBEL MAN:
There he is!
-Get hold of him!
-(door bangs open)
-There's the deceiver.
-He's in here.
(clamoring continues)
-This way.
-Hold there.
-We'll have your guts.
(rebel man laughing)
ALYCE:
He's here!
Forgive us our sins and...
(muttering)
REBEL MAN:
Traitor!
-Kill the swine!
-Come on!
Look at me!
We said we'd come for you!
Didn't we say that?
(laughter, clamoring)
(grunting)
(doors creaking)
Justice! We want justice!
(clamoring continues)
REBEL WOMAN:
Cut off his head!
REBEL MAN:
Take him to the block!
-(screaming)
-Cut his head off!
REBEL WOMAN:
We're taking what's ours!
-(whimpering)
-Take him!
Come on!
(clamoring continues)
-You will die!
-(grunting)
(screaming)
-Kill him!
-(clamoring continues)
On this Corpus Christi!
-(yells)
-(blade strikes)
(audio muffled)
(grunts)
(whimpers)
-(blade strikes)
-(muffled yelling)
(clamoring continues
in distance)
RICHARD II:
This is what you seek?
All of this taken from us.
You talked of fevered dreams.
Yes, my lord.
I know of what you speak.
I, too, wish an end
to this wanting.
Tell your comrades
I will meet them at first light
by Smithfield.
To give each who march
their charter...
...in front of
this great Book of Domesday.
My lord.
Tell me when it is done.
My lord.
And work fast,
before my kingdom burns.
-SCRIBE: Come with me.
-(door creaking shut)
I do not know words
or if it be too late.
You need only speak them...
and I will write.
I want to be free.
Can you write that?
(rebels clamoring)
Keep the procession moving.
Guard the flanks. Get up ahead.
Watch our London brothers
don't get out of hand.
(clamoring, laughter)
We must keep control
until the charters are writ.
(laughing)
REBEL MAN:
Find the wretch!
-They took our money!
-Make them pay!
-Cut off their heads!
We need more men up front!
-(yelling)
-You, come here! No looting!
-(groaning)
-Looters will be arrested!
Cordon off Fleet Street.
Stop them moving any further.
Got it.
TYLER:
We do not seek this!
(clamoring continues)
TYLER: We'll have
the charters by morning.
We must buy the scribes
the time they need.
SCRIBE:
It is done.
Right. Now one for
every village who marched.
(scribes chattering quietly)
Bedfordshire.
Bedfordshire.
We need Bedfordshire.
We must have charters for all.
COMMANDER:
We can't stop the looting.
And now they're
killing merchants
-in the streets.
-(screaming)
TYLER:
This is not our cause!
SCRIBE:
This one for Hertfordshire, yes?
Keep the spacing even.
-Kill them!
-Traitors of the crown!
Tyrant!
COMMANDER:
It's spreading.
The London mob,
settling scores of their own.
They're trapping
Flemish merchants
down by the river,
killing them in the streets.
Faster. Faster.
And the script even.
This one, Kent. Kent.
Essex here.
We must write faster.
-(clamoring continues)
-TYLER: This is madness!
-We're losing control!
-(vicious grunting)
(clamoring continues
in distance)
(sighs)
MAN:
Address your countess.
(doors creaking)
My lady.
(door creaking shut)
I see the hard road
has wearied you...
...and lent doubt to your cause.
PLOUGHMAN:
I'm ashamed.
I did not march to see
true men lose their way.
It is the written word
that grants liberty,
builds new worlds,
not the baying of the mob.
I only doubt
the power of these words,
if they are enough to deliver
the miracle we came for.
Without words,
there is only chaos
and fear.
I must pass word
of the meeting, my lady.
(clamoring continues)
(screaming)
REBEL MAN:
Round 'em up, boys!
Shake their cloaks!
REBEL WOMAN:
Hurry over there.
(yelling, groaning)
REBEL MAN:
He's no farmer.
REBEL WOMAN:
Justice!
REBEL MAN: He's a rich man.
Take him to the block.
-(yelling)
-Come back.
You starved my children!
-Lord have mercy!
-(screaming)
-REBEL WOMAN: Dead!
-REBEL MAN: Take his head!
-REBEL WOMAN: Kill him!
-(blade strike echoes)
(sniffs)
(sighs, sniffs)
(quiet chatter)
Charters are writ.
King will meet you
at first light at Smithfield.
It was the London mob.
And the drink.
They are of the belief
that the Flemish traders
are stealing their jobs.
We've driven them back
towards Cheapside.
Another hour,
and we shall have control again.
JOHN:
You knew blood would be spilled.
Spilled it yourself
to start this.
PLOUGHMAN:
Well, I did not come for this.
To set the world on fire.
Watch it burn,
call it a miracle.
It's no miracle.
It's no miracle at all.
It is as God calls for it to be.
Are you certain, John Ball?
Are you certain?
If the end be well,
then all be well.
Where is God in any of this?
ALYCE:
Ploughman.
She would want you to stay.
You didn't know her.
I know there's nothing for you
where you came from.
Nothing for me here.
ALYCE: There will be no rest
if you leave.
Never.
PLOUGHMAN:
How do you know?
Because I lost someone, too.
(Alyce breathing heavily)
One night...
One night in my convent...
I was young, not long there.
A monk, he came to me in drink.
And he...
They made me bear his child
in secret.
And when it was time,
and the cord not yet cut,
they ripped her from me.
I never knew where they took her
or what they did.
All I know is
I never saw her again.
And they sent me out
into the night alone...
...while the monk stayed safe
in his devotions.
Every night,
I hear her screaming for me.
Every night.
So I came here
to find vengeance.
And now?
I just want to know she sleeps.
And find a place
to lay myself down also.
But we will never find it
if we leave now.
PLOUGHMAN:
Sorry.
(wind howling)
(indistinct chatter)
REBEL MAN:
Bring him through here.
-Get out of here.
(indistinct chatter continues)
(praying quietly)
(indistinct chatter continues)
You are not alone,
in doubt or in loss.
We are, all of us...
...haunted.
But if we walk together,
I have to believe
that we will find our way.
We will stand
in God's grace again.
You do them proud.
(sighs)
We have walked many miles.
PLOUGHMAN:
That we have.
Only when we rest will we know
what victory we hold.
The true commons!
REBELS:
The true commons!
You sent for me, my lord?
Know you the Priory of St. John?
I know of it, sire.
Close, close by Smithfield.
Have the charters and Domesday
taken there.
For our lasting peace.
Not to the meeting place?
MAYOR:
Do not question your king, boy.
Just do it.
SCRIBE:
My lord.
(horse whinnying)
REBELS: Merry 'tis
while summer lasts
With birds' song
But now draws near
the wind's blast
And weather strong
Ei, ei, what,
this night is long
And I with very great wrong
Sorrow and mourn fast
Merry 'tis
while summer lasts
With birds' song
But now draws near
the wind's...
(horse neighing)
But now draws near
the wind's blast
And weather strong...
-Hold the line!
-REBEL MAN: Hold the line!
-Hold!
-(singing stops)
We shall wait here
for the arrival of the king.
(rebels murmuring)
-(bird cawing)
-(wings fluttering)
(rustling)
(horse nickering)
Keep working.
(horses nickering)
(grunts)
(panting)
(rebels murmuring)
REBEL MAN:
Look, look, look.
-The king!
-(horse neighing)
-The king!
-REBELS: The king is here!
(cheering, excited chatter)
Long live the king!
(panting)
Hyah!
(panting)
(cheering and excited chatter
continue)
(rebels murmuring)
My lord.
Is the contagion of rage
now spent?
TYLER:
I believe it is, my lord.
We've restored order at last.
Get this man an ale.
(murmuring continues)
PLOUGHMAN (whispering):
Where are the charters?
The charters, can you see 'em?
You have achieved much.
TYLER:
Well, there is still much to do.
If we are to build
the great society,
we must cleanse every church.
The honest priests who have been
hiding in the hedgerows,
they can do that work.
And these men,
these men are ready
to lead their villages
themselves,
according to the law
and loyal to their good king.
Govern themselves?
In your name, of course.
PLOUGHMAN (whispering):
Something's not right.
No, something's not right.
Come with me.
(murmuring continues)
(panting)
I shall take you
to your charters.
They're not here?
They are at St. John's Priory.
Yonder.
We will go together.
And there,
you will kneel before me
and rise as Sir Wat Tyler.
Peer of the realm,
guardian of the king.
I cannot leave my men.
-Would you defy your king?
-No, my lord.
But we marched together,
and together we must stand.
To the end.
With you, of course.
Do not presume
to touch your king.
I mean no disrespect, my lord.
It is but a soldier's way.
I think perhaps
you are not loyal.
Who is this man, my lord?
I've been loyal my whole life.
Now a stranger says otherwise.
This man is the mayor of London.
Come on, my lord,
this can be done.
Look, your people
are waiting for you.
Lord, I beg you, please.
We can make a new start.
MAYOR:
I think I do know you, Tyler.
Are you not a thief?
TYLER:
I'm not a thief. I'm a soldier.
We can do this.
Your people are waiting.
-I beg you.
-(horse neighing)
PLOUGHMAN:
Something's wrong.
(Tyler groaning)
Show yourself, my lord.
We'll get Tyler.
Guard, to the king!
(rebels cheering)
(excited chatter)
RICHARD II:
I am your king and your captain.
Lay down your weapons
and follow me to your freedom!
(cheering)
(chuckles)
-(horse nickering)
-Hyah! Hyah!
No.
Hyah! Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!
(cheering and excited chatter
continue)
RICHARD II:
The great torment is over!
Lay down your weapons.
Lay your weapons down.
Follow me to St. John's Priory,
where your charters of freedom
await.
My noble servant Sir Wat Tyler
shall meet you there.
Follow me. Follow your king.
(cheering)
(bell tolling)
(pained grunt)
(groaning)
-(rebels continue cheering)
-(panting, grunting)
Make haste!
-(Tyler groans)
-SCRIBE: Help me.
REBELS:
The weeds, see them fall
The son of heaven
shall pay for all...
Where's Tyler?
-What?
-Where's Tyler?
Didn't the king say that
he'll meet us at the priory?
(panting)
(urgent chatter)
SCRIBE:
Rest here.
(Tyler groaning)
SCRIBE: Please, there are men...
men following us.
You help our cause?
-Yes.
-Then go and warn the others.
He has betrayed us.
Go!
There.
NUN:
Sir, please.
-No. This is a house of God!
-Away.
-Move!
-Mercy.
(nun whimpering)
(grunting)
(panting)
Scribe!
SCRIBE:
It's a trap! It's a trap!
Tyler's dying.
They've set a trap.
-Warn the pe... (groans)
-(blade strikes)
Come here!
Come here.
(grunting, panting)
-NUN: Water. We need water.
-(ragged breathing)
In the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit.
-(footsteps approaching)
-(weak, shallow breathing)
(lively chatter, laughter)
JOHN:
Look. There they are.
The charters of freedom.
Our charters wait for us.
Our charters are there.
The world gets to come.
They wait for us.
Our king is true!
(cheering)
(horse nickering)
(panting)
GUARD: Stop him
before he warns the others!
With me!
(panting)
(horse neighing)
(grunting)
(groans)
(yells, groans)
(straining)
(yells)
(panting)
(rebels cheering in distance)
JOHN:
Our future awaits!
Our king, our true king
has led us here
to our charters of freedom!
(excited chatter)
-REBEL MAN: There he is!
-REBEL WOMAN: It's true!
(chatter quiets)
My people...
...the true commons...
...behold.
Your charters!
(cheering)
(cheering continues in distance)
(panting)
PLOUGHMAN:
It's a trap!
They've killed him!
They've killed Tyler!
It's a trap!
They've killed Tyler!
Where are your weapons?
(cheering continues)
He's tricked us!
It's a trap!
Where are your weapons?
It's a trap! It's a trap!
Where are your weapons?
He's tricked us!
It's a trap!
Let me through! Let me through!
RICHARD II:
And behold, also...
(rebels gasping)
-...your leader!
-(rebels jeering)
-REBEL WOMAN: No!
-REBEL MAN: Traitor!
(panting)
-It's a trap!
-Tyler!
-Tyler!
No! Tyler!
(audio slows, distorts)
-You traitor!
Guards, now!
(arrows whooshing)
(arrows continue whooshing)
MAYOR:
Guards!
-(arrows striking)
-(groans)
(screaming)
(screaming)
(yelling)
(yelling)
(whimpering)
(arrows whooshing)
PLOUGHMAN:
Take cover!
(pained screaming)
(screams)
(yelling, grunting)
PLOUGHMAN:
Alyce! Alyce!
Go!
Alyce, come here! Back to back!
I commend you, my dear brother,
to Almighty God
and entrust you to your creator.
(yelling)
(horse neighing)
We need a way out.
-We need a way out.
-Where? Where?
That tree line there.
That tree line.
Everyone to the tree line!
Everyone to the tree line,
this way!
Everyone, that tree line there!
-Follow. Follow us.
-Ball!
-Come with us!
-My place is here.
Godspeed!
PLOUGHMAN: This way!
This way, into the forest!
Watch out! Watch out!
Come on! This way!
(pained screaming)
(rebel man grunting)
-(blade strikes)
-(screams)
-Come on, run, run, run!
-REBEL: Get behind the trees!
-Come on, come on, move!
-Into the forest!
-Move, move! Come on!
-Run! Get out the way!
PLOUGHMAN:
Through here!
-REBEL MAN: Take cover.
-PLOUGHMAN: Come, come, come.
Move, move, move. Take this.
-REBEL MAN: Over there!
-REBEL WOMAN: Keep running!
That cart! Bring that cart!
Bring that cart right here!
Bring those carts together.
(groaning)
Form a line.
This way!
-Push!
-PLOUGHMAN: Make a barricade.
(straining)
(panting)
REBEL WOMAN:
Take cover!
(yelling)
-Quick!
-REBEL MAN: Make way!
Bring it right there! Come on!
(yelling)
PLOUGHMAN:
Get up! Move!
Pull! Pull it, pull it, pull it!
REBEL MAN:
Before the horses come! Quick!
(yells)
-Take cover!
Get out of here. Go.
(yelling)
GUARD:
Move it! Come on!
-(yelling)
-(horse neighing)
-Come on. Whoa.
-Whoa. Whoa.
Here. Easy, easy.
Get around there!
Come on! Come on!
(quiet chatter)
(groaning)
(pained, labored breathing)
Is this not what you prayed for?
Am I not the king
you prayed for?!
The vanquisher of my enemies!
The bringer of peace.
The messiah.
Am I not?!
Am I not?
(bird cawing)
(wind howling)
(sniffles softly)
(sighs)
(sobs quietly)
(sobs)
(breathing deeply)
(sighs)
(scoffs)
(sighs)
(breathing deeply)
(birds chirping)
-MAYOR: Whoa.
-GUARD: Halt!
Whoa!
(horse whinnying)
Why do we stop?
Stay inside, Your Majesty.
Stand aside!
(arrow whooshing)
-(arrows whooshing)
-(guards groaning)
(horse neighing)
To the king!
(rebels shouting)
(grunting)
-(yells)
-(screams)
(rebels continue shouting)
(arrow whooshes)
(grunting)
(frantic, indistinct chatter)
-(horse neighing)
-(grunting)
(shouting continues)
-REBEL MAN: Get him!
-Bring him down!
(trembling breaths)
Help me. (grunts)
(horse neighing)
(mayor grunting)
(horse neighing)
PLOUGHMAN:
Time to pay.
(trembling breaths)
-(grunts)
-(Ploughman whimpers)
(both grunting)
(straining)
(yells in pain)
(Ploughman screams)
(both breathing heavily)
(yells)
(both groaning, panting)
(groans)
(grunting)
(panting)
-(panting)
-(mayor whimpering)
(yells)
(gasps)
(mayor groans)
(yelling in pain)
(yells, grunts)
(whimpers)
(grunting)
(Ploughman and mayor grunting)
(choking)
(choking)
(straining)
(gasping weakly)
-(Ploughman breathing heavily)
-(mayor's breathing stops)
(breathing heavily)
(breathing heavily)
(shuddering breaths)
-(rapid, trembling breaths)
-(countess screams)
Have something of yours.
-I do not know it.
-Look closer.
It has your seal.
It's just words.
Nothing more.
No, no, no.
It's the miracle we marched for.
It was no miracle.
You marched for a dream.
(gagging)
(gasping breaths)
(Richard II whimpering)
Just do it.
Do it.
Take it.
COUNTESS:
Mercy, please!
(gasping)
(choking)
(gasps)
No.
Kill a king...
(crown thuds on ground)
...there will always be another.
We rule ourselves now.
Out in the forest,
where you can't see us.
No kings.
Just ourselves alone.
And every night,
we will come for you
in your dreams,
and you will never have peace.
-(gasping breaths)
-(blade thuds)
(gasps)
(trembling breaths)
(footsteps receding)
-(thunder rumbling)
-(rain pattering)
(thunder crashes)
(Richard II screaming wildly)
(music ends)