You will make the necessary preparations.
I have my proof.
God has shown me the way.
We will see the prisoner together.
And set him free.
I knew you'd see sense. The carriage is waiting.
I'll see him safely onto the ship myself.
He must remain in France.
So how in the name of God do we grant his freedom?
There is only one way to finish this.
You've lost your mind.
We're talking about our own flesh and blood.
And every breath he takes is another curse upon it.
So say it, then.
Call it what it is...
..murder.
We have to protect what we've created.
While he lives, the Church can destroy us.
How can this be justice? He's already sacrificed his life for us.
And having done so, he now wants release.
God has delivered our father to us. His fate is in our hands.
But we must shoulder this cross together.
You are more alike than you realise.
We wanted to share a moment. As one family.
I'm glad to see you together.
We share our duty.
Then...
I drink to my sons.
I thought I would never see daylight again.
The mask was a curse on every waking hour.
But at night I could only pray for sleep.
But now, at last...
..it comes to free me.
And I thank you.
I thank you, my sons.
There is a time for love and a time for hate.
And this is a time to move forward, unencumbered by the past.
Our country is divided, our people driven asunder.
The moment has come to unite them once and for all.
A royal wedding will galvanise the people,
to show France as one family, complete.
For now, my priority is the safety of my people.
I must put France first.
So His Majesty will wish to secure our borders.
Emperor Leopold has repelled the Ottomans, as we feared.
He will surely turn his attention back to Luxembourg.
Then we will take it before Leopold gets there.
With full force.
And what of the Protestant forger in our midst?
There is no concrete evidence yet, Sire.
Then look harder.
In the meantime I wish to revoke the Edict of Nantes.
But...
..that was decreed to protect the rights of all faiths.
We have tolerated the Huguenot traitors long enough.
I must warn His Majesty against such draconian measures,
in the strongest possible terms.
France is a Catholic country.
How can we be one family if we do not share the same faith?
It is religion that divides us.
And it is through religion that we shall be united,
under one faith, one law, one king.
What the hell's going on?
I'm teaching my brother a lesson.
I doubt we'll ever see him round here again. Good.
Look, all right, all right.
Hey, look, I'm serious, I'm ready for fireworks.
If you want to burn some buildings, help me to start a riot...
And have us all end up like poor Monsieur Golovine?
That wasn't your fault. Yes, it was.
I have to live with that. No, hang on a second. We need you.
You're the one who said we should get people on our side
and do something. Well, I was wrong, wasn't I?
Welcome to the inner circle, Monsieur de Pins.
Now you are a noble, I trust you'll make yourself at home.
You could be quite a success around here, my dear Guillaume.
I have to pinch myself, to be honest.
It doesn't feel real. Be warned, Versailles is a lot more
accommodating when you leave your soul at the door.
We all made a lot of sacrifices to be part of it.
Yeah.
I just hope they're worth it.
Well, that depends on your viewpoint.
You had to recant your faith, did you not?
I was a soldier and a tradesman before.
But look where I am now.
No regrets?
You do what you have to do to survive.
Any further news of the commotion in Paris?
The dissident printer has been dealt with.
Permanently.
Good. Keep a watching brief on the streets.
Look, I know you were there last night.
The prisoner must have been very close to the king.
The unfortunate soul took his own life, and with his life his story.
He must never be spoken of again.
Is that clear?
Jeanne!
I think you should read this.
He can't do this. What?
"All Protestants must recant or face the consequences."
Does the king really believe he can defy history?
You have me at a loss, madame.
The Edict of Nantes was a declaration of humanity.
Does he wish to return to the Dark Ages?
The king is uniting France as a Catholic state.
One cannot make an omelette without cracking eggshells.
So he wishes to control our minds as well as our bodies?
He will do whatever is necessary.
And the people will be grateful. Then I pity the people.
For the good of the palace,
henceforth, all Protestants will be confined to their rooms.
By order of the king.
Is it entirely necessary to creep up on people like that?
Yes, when stalking a rat.
Very droll. Stick to hurting people, Marchal,
leave the wit to those who can wield it.
You are very close to one or two of the Protestant nobles.
Perhaps. But I am a loyal Catholic.
Albeit with a reputation for bending the rules.
Perhaps even with a skill in forgery?
That's preposterous. Has your wit deserted you now?
Has your conscience deserted you?
See that you remain in the palace.
Princess Isabella, you are most welcome, dear cousin.
Good. Now, I have all the relevant paperwork from my father, but I'll
need a full list of my duties, and advice on the appropriate wardrobe.
You are the one who's on my side, aren't you?
I think you and I will get along like a house on fire.
I do have some butterflies, to be honest, about meeting the king.
I have no doubt he will find you a delightful surprise.
She's the Infanta of Portugal, Sire.
She has been considered a potential match.
A new wife has been thrust upon me without my permission?
I believe the Princess Palatine has planned it.
She may be meddlesome, but she's no political animal.
No, someone else is behind this particular plot...
I had the bresaola brought in from
Valtellina, in the Alps of Lombardy.
You should try it.
One could surmise you do not trust our French food.
It's too rich for me. My stomach favours the plainer things.
Your grapes are sweet.
But Roman wine is too tart for my tastes.
And what of our proposal?
I trust it has whet your appetite afresh.
If I am to strike a deal with the Vatican,
I'd like to negotiate terms.
You're not in a negotiating position.
Now my niece is Queen of Spain, as you anticipate,
I would indeed like to expand my empire to include Portugal.
And this would please the Vatican.
But I will not marry the Infanta.
The Church wishes to facilitate an alliance built on blood,
not risk the spilling of it.
I will take Portugal my own way.
This marriage is essential for consummating our new arrangement.
Unless you want the world to know who you really are.
I am the son of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria.
And no man alive can prove otherwise.
In that case I should leave immediately.
The Pope will wish to confirm your excommunication
as a matter of priority.
Well, that will be hard to achieve when I invite you to stay
a while longer.
You would dare treat a servant of Rome as your hostage?
No. Certainly not.
As my guest.
Corpus Christi. Amen.
Corpus Christi.
Congratulations, Sire. They're recanting in their droves.
They are wise and loyal.
And what happens to those who refuse?
Draw up a list so we might assess the scale of the challenge.
And you don't wish to discuss this with the council?
I don't think that's necessary. Do you?
I am sick at the thought of who we have become.
You're making a grave mistake.
You are treating your people with cruelty. All of us.
I am doing my duty to my country as best I can,
after much prayer and consideration.
You're behaving like a god, but you're not even a real king.
I know exactly who I've become, a man chosen by God as his ruler.
So why do you feel the need to throw your weight about?
Why do you have to prove you're not just another lackey from Rome?
I don't have to prove anything, I'm following God's will.
Bullshit!
You're making it up as you go along.
God didn't choose you any more than he chose me.
We're just another pair of squabbling brothers,
and I need obey you no longer. You will do as you are bid!
You're a fake and we both know it.
Come on, then.
Let's see which one of us God favours.
You've already killed our father, what's to stop you from killing me?
Let's find out which one of us is Cain, and which is Abel.
The good old days!
You weren't invited.
I was hoping you might be able to help me,
but it seems like you are more in need of assistance.
What do you want?
Perhaps you're aware of what's happening at Versailles.
Or are you just too busy?
I'm getting inebriated and having fun.
Really? Fun? So where's the light in your eye?
You took an extra card. He didn't.
Yes, he did, I saw him.
Bloody cheat!
For God's sake!
OK, that's quite enough fun for today, Your Highness.
Come on, then.
What? You owe us an explanation.
There's nothing to explain.
Whatever's happened, you are a shadow of who you once were.
Don't think you can worm your way that easily back into my breeches.
I haven't the slightest intention.
Then fuck off and leave me alone.
That's not fair, Philippe.
You deserve better. What's the problem?
I am who I'm meant to be, good old Philippe, life and soul,
enjoys a party and cares only for pleasure.
You are a lot more than that.
Am I, really?
I don't recognise you any more.
Neither do I.
Louis has done this to you, hasn't he?
He's doing it to all of us, one way or another.
You have to talk to him,
Philippe, he doesn't listen to anyone else. You can't just give up.
He's gone too far.
I can't reach him any more.
Whatever your brother's done to you, it's a damned shame.
It is an honour to be offered an audience, Your Grace.
But I can't imagine how I can be of assistance.
They tell me no-one else knows the king's mind as well as you.
Lately, His Majesty has kept very much to himself.
He should really have discussed the Edict of Nantes with me,
before taking such radical action.
Do you disapprove?
As guardians of Europe,
the Church only wishes to maintain a stable peace.
Despite readily offering your support in war?
Louis is challenging the very authority of our Church.
On the contrary, this demonstrates his loyalty as a Catholic.
I wondered what he could see in a low-born noble such as you.
If only our princesses shared your faith and intellect.
Louis wants to consolidate his empire.
This pleases the Pope,
but our relationship can only be secured if he will marry Isabella.
The king makes his own decisions.
And if he does not comply he will be excommunicated.
As a devout Catholic, I am sure you would not wish his soul
to be damned as well as his empire.
I am not disturbing His Majesty?
You are always welcome, you know that.
Not in recent times, if I may be so bold.
I have been preoccupied.
Because of your dealings with the Vatican?
Indeed. They have been a thorn in my side for decades.
That is why you must marry Isabella.
You will have the support of the Vatican and power in Europe
like never before. But the Church would control me.
You need the Church, just as the Church needs you.
They think they have me cornered, but I will not accept defeat.
This is not a battle. No, it is a war.
One that you can't win.
They will excommunicate you, Louis.
You spoke with Cardinal Leto?
You? The only one I can truly trust?
The Church is a terrifying enemy, you dare not defy them.
You betray me, my own heart?
Think about it, Louis. You can have it all. But not you?
I am a small sacrifice,
for you to save yourself and everything you ever dreamed of.
I will never give in to blackmail.
You said it yourself, you have to do what is right for you,
and for France.
All this beauty, and now I'm forbidden even the sunshine.
The persecution is complete.
Then it's a good time for you to leave.
I can't even leave my room.
I'm sure I could twist a few arms, grease a few palms.
You would have me accept defeat?
Sometimes I wish I was born with morals.
We're all born with morals.
Only some of us choose to keep them.
Maybe that's what I love in you.
Maybe that's why we can never have a happy ending.
What are you doing? Protesting, the only way we know how.
Goodbye.
Choices.
They are what define us as human.
Wouldn't you agree, Bishop?
The challenge of our existence,
in choosing one thing, we must reject another.
I've followed the Church my whole life.
She is a wise and loving mother.
My mother had wisdom of her own.
Even faced with an impossible dilemma, she understood her duty...
..more than the world will ever know.
God gave us his Holy Church, but it was man who based it in Rome, yes?
St Paul himself.
But if the interests of Rome did not comply with ours,
whose side would God choose?
I cannot answer, except to say that as king,
you were chosen by God.
And if this king were to become the leader of our Church,
he would require a bishop with great authority,
one who would only be answerable to the king.
Royal authority is sacred.
God established kings as his ministers,
and reigns through them over the land.
The royal throne is not the throne of a man,
but the throne of God himself.
God blesses you, Louis, supreme leader of his Church in France.
You missed the ceremony.
I know why you can't face your brother.
It concerns the prisoner, doesn't it?
He's dead now.
Why do you care?
I have devoted my life to your family.
I need you to tell me the truth.
The king is not who he claims to be, is he?
Cardinal. I trust you enjoyed your sojourn in Versailles.
Please give His Holiness my very best wishes on your return.
I will tell him everything that has happened here.
He will understand, evidently,
that one cannot be excommunicated from one's own Church.
You should also tell him that I appreciate his kind offer,
but I no longer need his support.
I expect he will reopen discussions with Emperor Leopold, post-haste.
Incidentally, I plan to take Portugal regardless.
You have cut yourself adrift, Louis.
There can be no return.
Today you have the bearing of the victor.
But tomorrow, I suspect, may be different.
My hands are shaking.
That's perfectly normal.
The king is no ordinary man. Just be yourself.
I know he'll love you.
Your Majesty Isabella Braganza, the Infanta of Portugal.
You are indeed delightful.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
My father offers you his very best wishes,
along with an extensive portfolio.
Tell me, would you marry a king who has separated from the Vatican?
To me it shows strength of character.
I like a man who thinks for himself.
And have you ever lain with a man?
No, Sire.
Truly?
Well, perhaps one or two.
I thought as much. That would mean I've acquired some valuable skills.
Good.
I rather hoped our relationship would start based on honesty.
Does His Majesty plan to continue taking lovers?
You said you sought honesty, Sire.
Your candour is refreshing, if ill-advised.
You need instruction in preparing for the wedding.
Madame de Maintenon will oblige.
Yes, Sire.
And for the record...
..the answer to your question is no.
I hear you met with the king in my absence.
It was a casual conversation.
And what are you planning for the Protestants?
You're far too squeamish about these things.
I'm not squeamish.
I have moral courage.
There's a big difference.
The king requires us to be on the same side.
I suggest you join it.
We weren't expecting you, Colbert.
I heard you were unwell.
It is my duty to attend all council meetings.
I have drawn up a list of Protestant families in Paris
who have yet to comply. Then they should be confronted.
Confronted, Sire?
Those who have not recanted should be arrested.
Their possessions destroyed or confiscated.
And there will be special treatment for their preachers.
Monsieur Marchal, you will assemble all men at your disposal.
They will strike across Paris in unison tonight.
You will arrest the rich, the poor and those in between.
There shall be no warning and no mercy.
Do you have a problem with that?
Monsieur Marchal, I'm giving you an order.
No more.
Forgive me, I must speak with you urgently.
Whatever I'm accused of, there can be no proof.
You're not in trouble, but your friends are in severe danger.
I am not leaving. For God's sakes, wake up!
You must get out of France now.
This is my home.
I am a loyal subject.
I'm as French as you are.
Louis has ordered all Protestants be rounded up tonight.
Including those outside the palace?
I fear for their souls even more.
God knows what he'll do with them.
I must go to my father. They'll arrest you for certain.
Try and stop me.
All right.
Monsieur Marchal is nowhere to be found.
I don't need him. Louvois can oversee the operation.
He has no lack of moral fibre.
Are the troops prepared? Yes, Sire.
But it seems your brother has left the palace also,
bound for his chateau at Saint-Cloud.
Does His Majesty wish to bring him back?
He no longer has the stomach for battle. Let him go.
Not so big without your musketeers, are you?
Do I know you?
Where's the shoemaker's sister?
No. Not here. But I'll give her a message.
Hey!
Hey! Hey, stop!
Stop.
What do you want? I came to warn you.
What's happened? Have you recanted your faith?
Over my dead body.
Then you must leave Paris now.
You're in danger. He works for the king,
don't forget. Ignore him.
Ignore me if you wish. But you should know, a storm is coming.
Damn right it is.
And you must always ask permission to address His Majesty.
Just like home.
The king does not like to be questioned directly.
I gathered that.
But you can be my lady-in-waiting. You can keep me right.
Are you all right?
I feel flushed.
Perhaps I'm coming down with a fever.
You know...
..you can talk to me.
I wouldn't be so sure.
The Church was behind this from the beginning.
Please, don't try and tell me you weren't involved too.
It doesn't matter.
We were fated from the start.
The king could never marry someone lowborn like me.
We are all simply a commodity.
We just have to do what's expected of us.
I have done nothing else.
That is why it hurts.
I've lost the man I love, because it is God's will.
Marriages are like death.
The time and the season are marked and...
..you can't escape.
I only wish what's best for my country.
So you are doing what you believe in.
Yet I've lost Philippe and Fabien in the process.
For the first time, you have power on your own terms entirely.
You are right to question yourself.
But you have won, Sire.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee,
blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death.
Your presence is required, madame.
Sire.
Let us not waste any time. I wish to marry tonight.
Yes, of course, Sire.
I'll fetch Isabella. That won't be necessary.
I don't understand.
Francoise...
..will you marry me?
Open the door! No!
Get out!
You bastards are out of control.
I should've slit your throat when I had the chance.
That means he was telling the truth.
Come on! Bastards! Get off her!
Come on! Come on!
Stand back. We just want the girl.
Let's go.
No, Father! Get those over there.
No! No!
This is wrong, Louvois!
This is the law.
Where is your Protestant God now?
My God will curse your king for this!
Respice, quaesumus, Domine, super hos famulos tuos,
et institutis tuis,
quibus propagationem humani generis ordinasti,
benignus assiste, ut qui te auctore junguntur,
te auxiliante serventur. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
Amen. Amen.
Get up there. Up you go.
The king must be stopped, whatever it takes.
*CREDITS*