King & Conqueror (2025) s01e02 Episode Script

This programme contains
some strong language
and prolonged violent scenes.
CHATTER
Aethel. Godwin.
What are you doing here?
Hey, wait! No. Stop!
Are you all right, Father?
What did you come to ask me?
I heard that Edward had agreed to talk.
- Tomorrow, he's granted me a private audience.
- And can you trust that?
I have no other choice.
It's that or war.
And we cannot go to war.
So I just need to talk to him.
Put this right.
So I kneel
..and bow - let him think
he's in control.
And we'll find out what he really wants.
We'll get there, Harold.
I've talked my way out
of trickier corners than this.
What do you need from me? What can I do?
I need you rested and alert.
Get some sleep.
- Goodnight, Mother.
- Goodnight.
Harold's the only one that's
come to you and asked you that.
DOOR CLOSES
Asked you what you need.
That's because Sweyn
doesn't think he needs to.
And Tostig, well,
- he doesn't know how.
- But Harold did.
So what does that tell you?
I think Magnus is getting bigger.
He's getting fatter.
He eats like there's a midden under him.
If I said that about Estrid,
you wouldn't talk to me for a week.
And you're not likely to say it,
because Estrid can exercise restraint.
She's not a
..tubber like her father.
Did you just call me a tubber?
You are a tubber.
HE LAUGHS
What?
Will we be separated?
Edith.
This family will not be separated.
The King wants to talk.
It's a good sign.
My children won't even remember this.
There's talk of splitting up the family,
moving some of us to the coast.
I thought you knew better than
to listen to gossip.
Don't do that.
Don't make it something in my head.
You've heard the exact same talk
that I have.
KNOCK AT DOOR
- Are you ready?
- Yes.
You ride beside me today, Harold.
What about Sweyn?
No, not today.
And what about our plans for the future,
if the King won't listen to you?
Well, the future may have to wait
a while longer.
You ride with me.
I just don't see how that helps us now.
Because that's the way it's always
been, Harold.
Power between the three earls, with
the crown in the balance between us.
- But look where that's got us.
- The earls have to have control.
We need to restore that balance.
Listen to yourself.
We know that does not work.
One person needs to be
in control of it all.
Like a king?
Yes.
Yes, but fair. Someone who makes
the right decisions for everyone,
not just for the crown.
Well, don't say anything like
that in front of the King.
You'll start him talking to that
finger he has
in that little box of his.
That's all we need today.
Ever seen the arse on Harold's
horse before?
Extremely well built.
Can really tell, from
all the way back here,
it's a sturdy animal -
well fitted front and centre.
- Now, the arse on your horse
- Shut up, Tostig!
You and your bony arse can piss off.
How long?
What?
The girl who washes told me it's
been weeks since she saw blood.
I have no idea
what you're talking about.
A woman always knows, Edith.
How long?
Maybe two months. I can't be sure.
Then it's right you keep it a secret.
- Gytha, I have to tell Harold.
- No, you don't.
Not yet, not now.
Harold needs his mind in front of him.
I understand.
When Godwin was at war, I kept
Tostig a secret
because I knew
it wouldn't have helped him.
So you're saying that I should lie
to Harold?
I'm saying don't speak of it at all.
It's for the best, Edith.
Believe me.
Men have their own burdens,
and these
..are ours.
Morcar is here. Father, you said
this was a private audience,
- that the King was ready to talk.
- I don't think we've been brought
here to talk. Don't say anything.
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
The kingdom of heaven
is my promise to all England.
And you, Godwin of Wessex
..today you are declared guilty
for wilfully breaking
the peace agreement.
So my flogging is to be public, is it?
Break the peace and you forfeit
everything to the crown.
Those were the terms of the agreement.
It was your agreement, Earl Godwin.
It was.
And yet it was not us
that broke the peace.
But you know all that.
Forfeit and the exile of all your
family will be the punishment.
Or face a war against the crown
and the earls of both
Mercia and Northumbria.
Accept exile, or it's
the annihilation of your people.
- Choose.
- Father.
If I do yield
..do my people remain untouched?
If you swear never to return
to reclaim your lands.
Give your word, Earl Godwin.
Swear to it.
Then, as Earl,
- I accept exile.
- Father!
I will not return
and I give you my word on it.
Do you hear? Earl Godwin gives his word.
- Wessex did not break the peace!
- Harold!
- It was Mercia. - Harold!
- Mercia, standing right there!
- Pathetic lies. - Done on the King's word!
- This is finished.
Father, why the hell should we yield?
- Harold!
- Everything you own is now the property of the crown.
Wessex belongs to the King.
God's mercy
..will grant you one week
to leave England, Godwin.
Go.
A moment.
I'm taking it all, Godwin -
lands, title,
every part of King Alfred's precious
legacy for Wessex gone.
But I'll give it all back to you
on one single condition.
My son, Aethel.
You can have it all back
the moment you return my Aethel
to me alive.
We came so close, Emma.
We could have had peace.
There's a way through.
But it's exposed
and Henry's men are everywhere.
Better to wait after dark.
WHISPERS: - How is she?
Close. This baby isn't waiting
till Flanders.
- Is the bastard defeated?
- Finished, Your Majesty.
- Dead?
- No, Your Majesty.
We have secured Normandy,
but Duke William escaped with his life.
I see. Then he'll flee north
to his wife's kin in Flanders.
Find him.
Spare no effort.
Your Majesty, Normandy is already yours.
Not until William is buried beneath it!
HORSES NICKER
And if he makes it to
Flanders, I cannot touch him.
So find him.
Your Majesty.
WOMAN CRIES OU
You think she's going to
do that all night?
Why don't you go down there and ask her?
- Well, she's not my wife.
- No, she's not.
- What are we going to do, William?
- You're asking me?
Yes.
You always have answers.
It's coming.
BABY CRIES
Is it a boy?
Come and hold him.
William, come and hold your son.
William.
LOUDER: - William.
Girl or boy?
Boy.
Someone should talk to him.
- I'll talk to him.
- Good man.
He keeps too much inside.
He does, my lady.
Now, sleep.
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
- I know what's going on in there.
- No, you don't.
I remember it, too.
Running through the darkness in terror.
Swords in every shadow.
No good comes from choices
made on the run.
We both know it.
You know what this means to Henry.
A girl could have escaped without
notice, but not a boy.
Not with Henry.
I thought that I could keep them safe.
This is not your fault.
You didn't bring this on your child.
Henry did.
We ride at first light.
Earl Morcar, when do you
ride for Mercia?
Your Majesty.
Mercia did everything you asked of us.
We played our part. But this,
today? Wessex belongs to the King,
- does it?
- Watch your tone, Earl Morcar.
Lady Emma.
You promised - us - Wessex.
Our agreement was with your father,
- God rest his soul.
- God rest his soul.
But you wear his robes
..well.
You promised my father
the title Earl of Wessex.
- That was the deal.
- Did we?
The King has promised Mercia
a stake in England's future.
That is your reward, Earl Morcar.
No.
No?
No.
Your Majesty, the agreement was clear.
We help you provoke the Godwins
and, in return, you give us Wessex.
I am now the Earl of Mercia
- ..and I demand your respect.
- You have failed
to grasp one vital aspect
of today's endeavour, Earl Morcar.
No matter what is said or done
in the King's court,
in the minds of the people,
Godwin will always be
the Earl of Wessex,
as long as he remains alive.
Earl Morcar.
Before you leave.
You're young. I know.
But learn this.
Power isn't given.
Power is taken.
And, sometimes,
it is a life that must be taken.
When your errand is complete
and nothing remains
..you may take
whatever you find in Wessex,
whatever your heart desires.
Till our next meeting,
where I am confident
we will have found a new respect
for you
..Earl Morcar.
The King has let his little Queen out
of her cage, has he?
- And you've decided to grace us with your presence.
- Sweyn.
- But then you haven't got a crown.
- Of course I've got a crown.
Yes, but you were never crowned,
so couldn't he just still crown another?
- Don't rise to it, Gunhild.
- No, no, no, no, no, no.
I'm just trying
to work out who's getting
more fucked by him
..her or us.
You really are a pig.
- Oh, Sweyn. - Oh!
- Gunhild, stop!
Enough! This is no time for games.
I've decided we sail for Flanders.
Flanders? Father,
- why don't we fight?
- We're not going to fight.
Count Baldwin will shelter anyone
who matches his price.
- So we'll be safe.
- I've done business with Baldwin.
- He'll keep his word.
- Keep his word?
I'm getting a bit tired
of hearing that phrase.
- Oh, really, Sweyn? - Mm-hm.
- Well, I am still head of this family
- so the decision is mine.
- Well,
maybe it's about time
the decision fell to me, Father.
Well, maybe it should, Sweyn.
Maybe we should leave our fate
in the hands of the man
who'd draw his sword
in the presence of the King. Eh?!
You think my decision was easy?
That I relish defeat?
If we pursue war,
every man, woman and child in Wessex
will be put to the sword.
Why did Lady Emma say
that she would give it all back
if you returned her son Aethel
to her alive?
Because father murdered him.
I heard Lady Emma say it.
You swore to put Aethel
on the throne of England,
but then you murdered him
in favour of Edward.
Didn't you, father?
I swore to put the rightful heir
on the throne of England.
Emma heard what she wanted to hear.
Heard what YOU wanted her to hear.
Aethel would never have married
a Godwin.
But Edward is weak.
So I did what was necessary.
And, yes, I killed
Aethel to save Wessex.
Just like King Alfred saved it.
And just like I saved it again today.
We will depart tomorrow.
Be ready.
How did he kill him?
He met Aethel on the shore as a friend
and then put his eyes out,
right there on the beach.
- Keep your eyes off the crown.
- Fucking hell.
This is a death sentence.
It's been hanging over us for years.
My God, your father is
clearly as ruthless as they are.
HE SCOFFS
Tell your woman to keep
out of this, Harold.
Don't you dare talk to my wife like
that, Sweyn.
It's fine, Harold, I'm leaving.
You shouldn't have said that.
Oh, will the chirruping of women
never stop in here?
You know, I'd forgotten what a prick
you are
when you're out of your depth.
Says the woman who can't even
get her own husband to fuck her.
Enough!
We have enough enemies
in Edward and Emma.
- I'm staying here with the King.
- Gunhild, you can't do that.
No, my mind is set.
How selfless a duty, keeping hold
of your crown.
But they will kill you.
Not Edward. I am his wife.
- His God won't allow it.
- And what about Lady Emma?
How long will God protect you from her?
Gunhild, you have to come with us.
If I CAN get him to screw me,
then we still have an heir.
None of you were
handed a task like mine.
So don't you dare
lecture me on duty, Sweyn.
If this family is to survive,
then, right now,
that duty falls to me.
Tostig, now you listen to me.
No matter what happens,
no matter where you go,
there is only one thing
in this life to remember.
Sweyn is an arsehole
and he always will be.
This is not the end.
OK? This is not the end.
How?
Because this is England,
and someone will die
and everything will change.
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
I'm sorry Sweyn spoke to you that way.
Sometimes, he forgets who he is.
Oh, he knows exactly what he's doing.
- Edith, whatever my father has done
- It's all right, Harold.
It's all right.
We'll be safe in Flanders.
What's got into him?
We're in Flanders.
That stream marks
the border with Normandy.
What the hell is this?
- What were you expecting?
- I don't know.
- Buildings?
- Count Baldwin likes to keep his court on the move.
He likes the fact that anybody
can come to Flanders
but he can remain a ghost.
Count Baldwin.
William. So nice to see you.
- To what do I owe this pleasure?
- We need shelter.
Shelter? Huh?
- What has my daughter done?
- Baldwin. - Matilda.
- I've missed you.
- Oh!
Do you expect me to believe that?
- Can I not express my love for my daughter?
- I'm not stopping you.
Good.
I brought you a present.
What might that be?
Your grandson.
Oh, give him to me.
Give him to me. Ah!
Oh, oh. Oh, what a beauty.
Huh? Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo!
Has he got a name?
Not yet.
Baldwin, huh? Baldwin!
It's a good, strong name.
We're not calling him Baldwin.
Suit yourself.
Oh. Another present.
Put it on the table.
Shelter. Can we stay?
Of course.
Everyone's welcome in Flanders -
- for the right price.
- Don't be vulgar.
Oh, I was joking.
It was a joke. I'm joking.
Of course I'm joking.
The only price I ask from family
is good reason.
Oh, we've got a good reason for you.
Good.
- The whole of Normandy?
- He took everything.
You knew nothing of this?
I knew there was trouble between you,
but I had no idea it had gone so far.
- Henry never told you?
- No.
I haven't seen or heard from Henry
in months.
- But thank God you made it here intact.
- You haven't asked why.
Whatever has happened between
you and Henry has happened.
Not even curious?
Well, you obviously want to tell me,
William,
so why don't you just go ahead
and tell me -
why did Henry invade Normandy?
Because I found out he killed my father.
Now he wants me dead.
Well, that would certainly do it.
- You don't seem surprised.
- Henry's killed a lot of fathers.
I mean, condolences, obviously,
but he's killed a lot of fathers
and sons and mothers and wives
and daughters - you name it.
He never told you any of his plans?
Why would he tell me?
I married his sister.
He trusts me less than anyone.
Are you going to do something about it?
- Wouldn't you?
- Ha. Revenge?
No, no. I'm no romantic.
I've got a province to run.
And Henry's no fool. This is
simply a game of power to him.
Keep all the pieces
in perfect balance
and you will never be defeated.
And that game is what awaits our child.
Just history repeating.
BABY CRIES
Hey.
Hey. Hello.
Hey!
Oh, oh, oh, oh.
Hey.
Why are you awake?
Don't worry, we'll be back.
Is this what my whole life amounts to?
Enough to be packed
into a handful of wagons.
Godwin, don't be stupid.
Get ready. Get your shield!
Raiders coming in from the north,
heading right for us.
- Markings?
- Mercians, for sure.
That bastard Morcar!
- They're hot on our heels, Father.
- We need to leave right now!
Everyone on the move!
Hurry, Edith. Follow the tracks east
through the forest.
- The boats will be waiting.
- What about you?
We'll head south to
make the Mercians follow.
They're coming!
CRIES
Leave now! Leave!
- We need to get the children out of here now.
- Help me!
No!
Edith!
- She needs help! - Go!
- Wait!
What are you doing?
Get away!
HE PANTS
- I'll take him.
- Yes, my lady.
My lord.
William, come here.
- I know you want to.
- I can see him from here.
Come here and give him a name.
William, he needs a name.
Count Baldwin, the ears of Europe
and you had no idea
Henry would attack Normandy?
It may come as a surprise to you
but, as I said before,
Henry doesn't keep me in his confidence.
I find that hard to believe.
William,
- have I ever lied to you?
- Oh, I'd be shocked if you hadn't.
Well, I'm not lying to you now. I
had no idea what Henry was planning.
But you had to ask me again.
It's a reasonable question.
- What are you going to do?
- Nothing.
I will remain neutral.
This is how Flanders survives.
- Henry is your family.
- You are my family.
Matilda and your son are blood.
Henry's a circumstance of marriage -
there's no future in that.
- My son is an opportunity for him.
- Yes.
- But he's a child.
- I was a child once.
- Look what Henry did to me.
- So
..what are YOU going to do?
Protect him.
- What the hell is this?
- She says she has a message
for you - about the Godwins.
- Where are they?
- Gone halfway to Flanders
on a boat by now. You're too late.
Then you're of no use to me.
- Kill her.
- Harold Godwinson.
What do you think he'll do when
he finds out you murdered his wife?
Go ahead. Prolong this, if you must.
He will know that it was you
that ordered it.
Do you really want to risk that?
Then we'll let Lady Emma
decide your fate.
Take her as prisoner.
And keep searching -
they won't have reached the beach yet.
Brother, who's that woman?
Nobody.
She's not here.
Understand?
You saw the wagons leaving, Harold.
Your wife will be at the boats by now.
- They They all will.
- When I see them safe,
- then I'll be satisfied.
- Are you sure a fire's a good idea?
If it's stacked right, no-one will see.
He needs the heat. Right, Harold?
- Help him, Sweyn.
- I don't build fires. Someone does it for me.
Find some rocks.
- Make sure they're dry.
- What difference does that make?
- It means they won't explode.
- They're rocks.
Sweyn, grow up!
Don't talk to me like that.
Just get him the rocks.
COUGHS
- Father.
- Hmm.
The boats are well hidden.
They will wait for us.
- I'm sorry, Harold.
- It was an ambush.
What could you have done?
You were right, Harold.
You were right
and I should have listened to you.
There it is.
Odo said you were out here.
- What's on your mind?
- Henry will never stop.
You know the kind of man he is,
what he's capable of.
Yes, I do know.
I also know that your son's
childhood won't be like yours.
I'm going to make sure of it.
What do you want me to do?
Find me a family.
Someone leaving the citadel
and travelling as far from here
as possible.
And, Fitz
..Matilda can't know about this.
Not until it's done.
Thank you.
Were you crying?
No, my eyes are itchy.
I-I can't reach them.
Oh, here.
- Are you pregnant?
- Sh! That's not true. - It is.
All the women in the stockade
get red eyes when they're pregnant.
Please don't say a word.
It's our secret.
- Mother?
- The attack on the Godwin stockade.
Attack?
What What's happened?
Leave us.
Leave us!
That idiot Morcar rode in
like a roaring bull.
The Godwins heard him and
scattered before they could be
- ..dealt with.
- Well, perhaps God's mercy spared them.
God's mercy didn't spare Aethel.
My darling boy,
it's not about God's mercy -
it's about God's punishment.
We were fools to trust another
with this.
Edward
..do you trust me?
- Haven't I always kept you alive?
- Yes, Mother,
- you have.
- Let's pray together.
Maybe we'll find some answers.
Let's pray.
BABY GURGLES
- You can go.
- My lord, the Duchess said I should stay with him until
Leave now.
BABY GURGLES
They will give you a name.
My lord.
The family is here.
They will take good care of him.
BABY GURGLES
Well?
Well, what?
Well, you asked to talk to me.
I sent no such message.
Then why am I here?
William!
William.
William. What have you done?
What have you done?
Robert.
His name is Robert.
HORN BLOWS
Take this.
Hurry! The Mercians aren't far behind.
- Where's Edith?
- I'm sorry, Harold, we got separated.
Mother, where's Edith?
I think they've taken her.
Get away from me!
We're not leaving her behind.
Get away from me! Get away from me!
- We are not leaving her behind.
- Harold, calm down. - No!
- Calm down, Harold!
- Get away from me!
CHILDREN CRY
Harold. They need you.
What would Edith want?
Think. Your children need you.
Mercians coming!
CHILDREN CONTINUE TO CRY