Episode 6 Versailles

This programme contains some violent scenes and explicit sexual scenes.

They all arrived this morning?

Before dawn, Sire.

This is bigger than I imagined. The King seems content.

My brother loves the tour.

Later on, I shall take you on a personal viewing of the gardens.

But first, the East Wing, extended beyond the original lot.

It is here that you and your families will be accommodated.

It is my wish, above all,

that you see Versailles not as the royal palace,

but as your home. A place of leisure and conversation, a place of...

-Our shared glory, Sire!

-..joy and light.

Up here!

What victories have I seen! I fought for you at Douai.

I lost my eye for you at Besancon.

For which you will be compensated.

And how much for my brother, Sire?

Crushed by a stone as he built your walls.

What do you want?

You said that France would honour its heroes. That was your promise.

Lies! We live and die like cattle, work as your slaves.

You say you are France,

but if you truly were, you'd know our suffering.

You'd feel it in your bones and you'd take the pain away.

Others feel our pain, Sire, and they are more than worth our loyalty.

Come on, soldier. Don't be a fool.

The King makes fools of us all.

You will come down here at once!

You wish me to descend, Sire?

Very well!

As your brother commands!

No! Don't!

THEY GASP

The man believed he and his fellow soldiers have not been given

the honour and respect they earned on the field of battle.

They were soldiers. Do they not now take their orders?

Their grievances are many, Sire.

Many suffer from injuries sustained at their work

that are as yet untreated.

How many have joined the stoppage?

So far, 2,000.

2,000, Sire.

And unless they return to work, construction cannot continue.

The rooms on the second floor are not yet complete

and winter is fast approaching.

And with no lodgings yet to house them,

I fear our new arrivals might soon depart.

Order them back to work.

And in the meantime, the rest of the builders will continue.

I fear not, Sire.

Currently, they, too, are refusing to work.

Why?

They claim that working conditions are too harsh.

-Not enough attention is paid to their safety.

-Is this true?

We lose half a dozen men per week, Sire.

Many more injured.

We have a reckoning of compensation.

-What will this man's family receive?

-Nothing, Sire.

-His injuries were self-inflicted.

-Pay them, anyway.

That may assuage their grief, Sire, but not the anger of the men.

By the age of 30, Alexander the Great

created an empire stretching from Greece to India.

But without his men beside him,

King Darius would have driven him into the sea.

Last year, we retook the Spanish Netherlands.

Soon, we shall turn our eyes to Holland.

We profit from our trade with the lands of King Annaba,

even as the Duc de Cassel bows his head.

I will not be pushed into the sea by a builder on a scaffold.

# I'm the King of my own land

# Facing tempests of dust

# I'll fight until the end

# Creatures of my dreams

# Raise up and dance with me

# Now and forever

# I'm your King! #

I am sure the King will be delighted to see you here.

It's an honour to accede to His Majesty's wishes,

although I fear my resources are not sufficient to maintain

myself in the style to which he is accustomed.

The King has extended

to all nobles a financial inducement.

Those who wish to build a house at the periphery

of the grounds will be forgiven all outstanding debts.

Then, I shall begin my planning at once.

In the meantime, we shall do our best

to make you comfortable within the palace.

Ah, Cassel! The black sheep returns.

I'm so sorry to hear about your castle.

-I understand it burnt down.

-It did.

Any idea how that happened?

-An accident, no doubt.

-Yes!

Well, they do happen, sometimes, don't they?

Please, follow me.

It's no bigger than a broom cupboard!

As a matter of fact, I believe it was a broom cupboard.

Welcome to Versailles.

You, at least, do not withhold your labour.

But I am not a builder, Sire.

But you were a soldier.

When you fought for me, did you ever encounter rebellion in the ranks?

Occasionally, Sire.

How did you come by your scar?

War, Sire.

And the other one?

Rebellion.

How did the generals react?

That depended on what kind of men they were, Sire.

But I can tell you one thing.

The King that brings soldiers to face down soldiers,

rarely stays King for long.

I can see no resolution.

There is one man to whom they might listen to, Sire.

He has their respect. He fought alongside them.

Brothers can disagree with each other,

without opposing one another, Sire.

You were clearly an only child.

Why do they behave this way?

All men lash out, Sire, when they are in pain.

You will go to them and address them soldier to soldier.

Offer nothing. This is a parlay.

-There is another more qualified than I, Sire.

-But I'm choosing you.

The winter will soon bring frost and the ground will harden.

If we are to build, we must have foundations.

If we are to have foundations, they must be dug.

-Now! Send for Bruand, the architect.

-Yes, Sire.

And what is the name of my director of bullion?

Leclerc, Sire, of the Royal Mint.

I want to see him, too.

You tend to these men?

I do.

What do they suffer from?

Gastric fever, gangrene, crushed limbs that cannot heal.

I would not advise you to approach them, My Lord.

Why not?

There may be a miasma, a pollution, in the air.

These are brothers in arms. I shall take the risk.

COUGHING AND MOANING

Drummer Brebant?

Unless I am much mistaken, we took the town of Rochefort together.

Lord Rohan.

Are you in pain?

All of France feels your suffering.

And the King?

The King, too, feels your pain.

DOOR OPENS

You wished to see me.

Here I am.

Your horses are being fed extra grain, Mademoiselle de la Valliere.

Are you planning a journey?

She yearns for release, My King.

From what?

From torture.

You only torture yourself, it seems.

She desires a cloistered life in a convent.

Do not stand in her way. She's suffered enough.

It appears no-one is content with what they've been given.

I loved you, Sire.

And I you, once upon a time,

but all stories must come to an end.

Then, I may go?

You may not.

What harm can it do? She's no longer in your favour.

This is your home, Mademoiselle. This is everyone's home.

I will not permit it.

Our son, Louis de Bourbon, he's taken care of?

In Paris.

My promise to you remains the same.

A child of France, no matter what.

KNOCK AT DOOR

You get it.

Have you heard about the builders?

I try not to hear anything about builders.

One died right in front of us. The others downing their tools.

Now, my good friend Pascal de Saint-Martin is here,

but has no rooms.

If I were him, I'd ride straight back to Paris.

If you were him, you'd be three inches taller and twice as handsome.

Well, I fancy some air. Join me?

I thought you hated the outdoors.

I do, but not today. Come!

I know I vex you from time to time and, I admit, I am vain,

lazy and excessively fond of frivolity,

but a quick turn around the garden before dinner

is good for the soul and everyone should do it.

What is it?

You're not yourself today.

We should do this more often.

We spend far too much time indoors.

Your Highness?

We need your help, Your Highness.

I recognise you. Who are you?

A sergeant in His Majesty's army.

So, what could you want from me?

We may not be on the battlefield, but we are all of us

in loyal service and we insist on fair treatment.

We ask you to speak to His Majesty about our demands.

Respect, our wounds tended, decent lodging, fair pay

and compensation, as befits the soldiers of the King.

-And why should

-I

-plead on your behalf?

You could count on our support...

..in the event of a change in circumstances.

I don't understand your meaning.

What change?

If your brother were no longer King.

Do you realise I could have you hanged for talking like this?

I do.

The sun is setting.

What did he want?

He wanted me to speak to my brother.

Madame de Clermont, you informed me some time ago that your papers

would soon arrive from your estate. Many months past, in fact.

Yes, they will arrive presently.

You know how they can be in the south.

Yes, indeed.

Though, naturally, we would not wish you, of all people,

to be obliged to leave.

Oh, that is most considerate of you, Monsieur Colbert.

-I shall do my best.

-Indeed.

Gentlemen. I trust your lodgings are adequate?

-Yes.

-Wonderful.

The King!

Your Majesty.

I'm starving.

I notice your friend, Pascal de Saint-Martin,

has come to Versailles.

He came of his own accord,

but now he has nowhere to sleep tonight.

He will be accommodated in due course.

Your builders are unhappy.

Let me talk to them.

I will not discuss politics at dinner

and certainly not with you.

I fought with many of them. They followed me into battle.

Perhaps they might...

follow me back to work.

We will go hunting tomorrow!

OTHERS MURMUR

You ignore my offer.

I do, Brother. I'm glad you noticed.

Why, then, are you keeping me here?

My own house is ten miles away.

If I have no function for you, if I have no position of which you

deem worthy but that of a brother, why am I still here?

I can go to Saint-Cloud

and be your brother in the comfort of my own bed.

If you wish to see me, you can send up a firework.

You're here because I want you to be here,

and that should be reason enough.

Henriette, you must eat.

If I didn't eat,

I'd have no energy for the other great pleasures in life.

Here, have a lobster and some wine for Her Highness, please!

Really, I'm quite all right. Thank you, Athenais.

Henriette, I know you.

If you don't eat, you'll shrivel up and disappear.

Would you wish to give this up?

I wish to know a thread of who I am.

A thread of truth is enough to hang you, my dear.

And our cousin?

Or was our family a lie, as well?

The Chevalier believes only what is in front of his nose.

So long as he feels he might profit, he will be our friend

and maintain our position at court.

At least, that was the case until the King demanded his proof.

And what if we cannot convince him? What happens then?

We do whatever it takes to survive.

You are looking very comely this evening.

Why, Monsieur Marchal, you're most kind.

LAUGHTER AND MUSIC

I said to him, "Fine!

"You can call me that if you want to, but I am an exciseman

"and if the King is losing revenue to bandits on the roads, well,

"I cannot be held for responsible.

"There is not a carriage from here to Paris that is not vulnerable.

"Now, if the King's police cannot control the roads,

"then he cannot expect a King's tax man to ride on them,

"let alone arrive with full coffers."

HE LAUGHS

Mmm.

It sounds like you gentlemen might need some help.

Oh, we have no need of help, so...

No, what you have need of is protection.

So, there we were lost in the forest, with no idea whatever how

to get back.

We happened to pass by a small hut and stopped to seek food

and directions.

Two sisters...

If you would join me in the bedroom tonight,

Sire, I assure you I'd broaden your smile.

You ask for nothing. Why?

Well, I have all I need.

See? I told you I'd make you smile.

I spoke to the builders this morning.

They are tired, hungry.

I do not think harsh measures will work against them.

Then, I will address them.

And I would be grateful if you keep your voice down.

If I may be so bold, Sire, it will only diminish their respect for you.

Soldiers understand orders and nothing more.

Now, perhaps, if a military man were to approach them, reason with them?

You are right.

I will send Louvois.

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

I am feeling faint and will retire.

What on earth is the matter with you this evening?

You have nothing to say for yourself.

You used to be the brightest light in the room. Now you're...

absent.

My apologies, Sire.

Did I not satisfy my King?

Well, allow me to rectify the situation.

I will return.

Perhaps I can help you with something?

You can start by not asking so many questions.

Very well. Then, I will wait.

Hurry back.

What are you doing?

Looking for my brother. I thought he might be there.

Oh, I know where he is.

-Your Majesty...

-I was concerned about you.

I am tired, Sire. That is all.

And yet, your eyes tell a different story.

He does this, doesn't he?

Waits until you're tired, to have the big talk.

I mean, he's always done it to me,

but it's reassuring to know he does it to you, too.

-What are you doing up so late?

-Me?

-Oh, I've only just gotten out of bed.

-Some privacy, brother.

-I think you forget where you are.

-I think you forget who addresses you.

-Louvois will not help you. You know that, don't you?

-Brother, not now!

They have no respect for the hilltop general.

A warrior only trusts the man who stands beside him.

-Take care, Brother, with your words.

-You defend yourself! Always!

But from what?

How is it possible that you are blind to those who want to help you?

What you propose is not help!

Not everyone is trying to knock you down.

If you stopped attacking for a moment, you might see it.

Let others aid you in your decisions. You cannot do it all.

The business of government is no business of yours.

-It could be, if you let it!

-Please stop!

But you will never do that. I know that now. You think I oppose you.

-You think the world opposes you.

-Husband!

-But you are mistaken!

-Stop!

-Oh, for heaven's sake, eat something!

-What on Earth is the matter?

-I am expecting a child!

MUSIC AND LAUGHTER

I have a proposition for you.

I'd rather you paid your share.

It is here, My Lord.

HE LAUGHS

I have not forgotten.

I will not go back on the road with a musket.

There are too many police.

We have friends among the police, as you well know.

Not enough.

So, I decided on a new plan for us.

To offer protection to the excise men.

Bring me money.

I no longer care how you come by it.

The King's builders have downed tools.

They share our frustrations with his plans.

The King will simply find more.

Most of these builders are soldiers. They fought for the King.

The army has dissent among its ranks.

Let's see what we can do to encourage that.

The King will simply stop any insurrection

with the rest of his army.

If he has any left, by then.

His Majesty understands that you do not feel that you have been

shown the respect you merit.

You are mistaken. Without you, France would not exist.

But you are its servants, just as he is.

There will be other battles to be fought, other wars to be won.

But just as you stood side-by-side on the fields of Flanders,

the King asks you now to stand

by side again, here in Versailles!

Who is your leader?

We have no leader. We...we speak with one voice.

If you do not return to work, I shall have you hanged!

Kill me and two more shall take my place.

I understand your complaints.

Tell the King that we will fight for him again, build for him

again, show trust and loyalty again,

but first, the King must show us all

that he is a man who will honour his promises.

CROWD MURMURS IN AGREEMENT

You need new locks on these windows.

Have you lost your mind?

What are you doing here?

I could fix it for you, of course, but I'm withholding labour, so...

You cannot be seen! You have to leave!

And yet, here I am.

Funny how it works, isn't it?

Have you been ignoring me? I've sent you, like, a dozen notes.

Stop following me!

Do you not remember who I am?

Only too well, do I remember!

You are more thorn than rose, do you know that?

-Enough!

-Is it mine?!

-You've got to go!

-I cannot say!

-Cannot or will not?

-Abandon me, if you wish!

My Lady is back. You have to go!

I don't want anything bad to happen to you.

I can do neither, as you know so well.

Even as I feel betrayed by you, by him, by myself...

It already has.

Do you hate me?

How much more straightforward if I did.

He will use this. You will see.

In what way?

To get what he wants.

I do not believe it.

Oh, I can assure you of it.

It'll be his child on a Monday, mine on a Tuesday,

depending on his mood, his needs,

his whim, his health,

his breakfast or whichever way the wind is blowing.

You have not given him a child.

You have given him a club... for him to beat us with.

Your money!

WHISPERS: And now you say...

Oh, uh... Never!

You would rather die?

Never!

What happens now? I forgot!

Do I give you...

You give me half, you take half.

-And th-then I hit you.

-I hit you.

The driver, remember?

Oh, yes, of course! Argh!

What do you expect me to tell you? This all ends happily?

I am a feather in the wind.

-Shush!

-I don't know who I am...

-Shush! Shush!

-..because my mother will not tell me.

-Keep your voice down!

SHE SIGHS

Come here.

16 years ago, you were born and I loved you

and I cared for you and kept you safe in any way I could.

Where was I born? Pau?

La Rochelle.

And my father? A noble?

A very good man.

An architect crushed by the strictures of the King.

Why would the King crush my father?

Because of who he was.

What? A criminal? A traitor?

Worse.

A Protestant.

Flowers!

How lovely!

-I thought they were for you.

-No.

Who are they from?

I have no idea.

Mariette!

-WHISPERS:

-Where's the bloody girl?

Mariette!

We cannot continue as we have done.

I understand.

-Do you?

-You are the King, Sire.

We are yours to own and discard, as you see fit.

I have never done either, so far as you are concerned.

His Majesty is hiding behind words,

but his sense is clear.

The child you carry is a symbol of doubt -

a doubt I do not myself wish to bear.

Would you want me to own you to the exclusion of all others,

to the exclusion of my own brother?

I cannot answer that question, Sire.

I'm sorry.

Please forgive me.

Hello!

What a pleasant surprise.

You're fond of your books, aren't you?

Yes.

At present, I am reading a treatise on espionage in the Roman Empire.

I like a man who reads.

Do you enjoy your work?

Enjoy is not the word I would use.

What word would you use?

Satisfaction.

Does it pain you to see people suffer?

I do not consider such matters.

Do you look them in the eye, when you punish them?

Always.

Oh...

I've never been with a woman like you before.

Oh, my stars! You have so much to learn.

Oh, gently!

Gentle!

Gently!

Many thanks and congratulations.

We are ready.

I want you to bring them here.

Sire?

The soldiers who refuse to work.

The soldiers, Sire? Here in the palace?

Yes.

I want to talk to them, and I want it to be in here.

Tell them I have a proposal to make

which I believe will satisfy their demands.

She went to the whorehouse and spoke to the apothecary,

ordered two bottles of arsenic.

That's a fine cure for a toothache. I use it myself from time to time.

And one bottle of eros, to aid the vigour of amorous coupling.

But I think, perhaps, you already know that.

I pay you to spy on others, not to spy on me.

Right.

This way.

Don't touch!

-Is that me?

-Come!

God, I'm ugly.

I need you.

Good morning, gentlemen.

It is an honour for me to welcome you here.

I live here, but this is not my home.

This is a home for France and her aspirations.

I wanted to thank you for showing me the error in my thinking.

You were right to down your tools and refuse to work.

It was I that was in the wrong.

I've invited you here today to ask for your forgiveness

and to try to renew your faith and trust in me.

You are, all of you, an army in the service of your King.

Wherever it is, on the field or on the scaffolding,

now it is time for France to give you something in return.

A home.

It shall be known as Les Invalides.

It will host the finest medical facilities, refectory,

dormitories, church.

It will be located in Paris, close to the river.

Every soldier wounded, fighting for France

will be taken there to be treated

and every soldier who is unable to return to their village will be able

to live there for the rest of their life in comfort and free of charge.

I have also struck a medal, made of gold, in honour

of our recent victories, and I wish to give one to each of you.

Hurrah for the King!

-Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!

-You said you wouldn't come.

You really believed everything you said there, didn't you?

Hurrah for the King!

But the first to receive it is the man to whom I owe the most.

A brave soldier known to you all,

Philippe, Duke of Orleans, who I am also honoured to call my brother.

France thanks you.

France thanks you.

France thanks you.

France thanks you.

Your Majesty, the enemy is closer than you think.

Sire!

The enemy is closer than you think!

The poor fellow is sick.

Let him be tended to.

Sire?

I'm fine.

-Get up! We're leaving!

-What are you doing?

-We're going to Saint-Cloud. We're going home.

-Why?

I refuse to stay here another minute.

Philippe, please! Stop!

Explain yourself.

I just realised we have a choice.

We don't have to do everything he tells us.

We have been cowards. We are free to leave.

It merely requires the courage for us to resist him.

I don't understand.

-What do you really want?

-Well...

To come with me or to remain here,

waiting day and night for his knock at your door?

I don't care if the baby is mine or his.

It will be ours.

But our lives are here. You are brother to the King.

You cannot leave.

This place is who you are, who we are.

If that is true, then we are already rotten inside.

The cipher has been broken? Are you sure?

I am.

Then, we must form a new codex.

This will take some time.

Until then, we will meet in person.

I do not like the risk.

They demand my papers. Do you have the seal?

I have it.

Now, our first priority must be the cipher.

If they can read the cipher, they can read our thoughts.

However, they do not know that we know,

which now means we also have an opportunity.

What are you doing?

I'm very sorry that it had to turn out this way,

but you just wouldn't listen.

SHE SPEAKS IN LATIN

You forgot to make your peace with God.

My brother? Where is he?

And Henriette?

They're fine. They're sleeping.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, you are sick!

Bontemps...