Episode 3 Versailles

This programme contains some strong language and some scenes of a sexual nature

'The problem with reflections is that most of them tell the truth.'

God chose me to be king.

And here I stand undermined at every turn.

People do not yet see you as you should be seen, sire.

They will.

What do you wish for from me, Montcourt?

In a downpour, one seeks shelter under the largest tree.

In the north, there is no-one stronger,

no-one more powerful,

no-one more resolute

than the mighty oak Cassel.

I'm a refugee from this royal deluge and I need protection, my lord.

I am your servant.

Servant...

Behold the divine right of kings and its gifts.

This is your king's new law...

Stripping away the dignity of a true noble,

defiling the reputation of a man

whose family forms the bedrock of this country.

Now, once, not long ago, we knew where we stood.

But now we must prove ourselves, now we must sing for our suppers.

Now the king says, "I am France!"

But I say it is we...who are France.

Our dear friend Montcourt's condition is a message.

The king shall have his reply.

This new playground in the woods, the king obsesses over it.

He sees Versailles and nothing else.

He's forgotten who built this country.

Were we to remove this new distraction,

the king might recover himself

and Versailles could return to the weeds,

the king to Paris and we...

to our lands and our lives.

A noble cause, indeed.

-You would persuade the king by force?

-He's lost his mind.

No appeal to reason will do.

The future of France lies with its noble families.

You wish my protection, Montcourt?

I serve my lordship with my life.

Indeed, you will.

What kind of man do you think I am?

Sire?

Am I merciful?

If you desire it.

Vengeful?

If conditions merit.

All things, then, to all people?

Equally and without condition.

-As a king. I ask as a man.

-You are both.

We cannot separate one from the other.

When I send my brother to war, I do so as a king.

Should he die there, I would mourn him as a man.

It is as a man I would gain favour in the eyes of another.

As a king, I cannot.

You are forever in our favour, sire.

You think Montcourt feels the same?

A king will be resented as much for good deeds as for bad.

The jacket fits well, sire.

I do not like this mirror.

Well, well! Majesty!

-My dear Rohan, you have returned. You see?

-I always do what you say.

I've missed you.

And I you.

There are more pretty women here than I remember.

Your memory is failing you, friend. You're getting old.

I can only be myself.

Well, that I already know.

But I have learned my lesson and I return to you atoned,

anew and at your service, sire.

I saw the plans for the stable.

And?

Well, either we're doing a very large amount of hunting,

or you are building something quite different here.

A palace, perhaps?

A city.

I wish you luck, gentlemen.

France thanks you.

How is my queen?

Much better, thank you.

Change your clothes. The season for mourning is passed.

You are to resume your official duties.

-I will do as you ask, of course.

-We are to receive a guest at court.

You are to host them personally.

Shower your attentions on them with your...customary warmth and grace.

Who is this person, so I might prepare myself with conversation?

Are they Spanish, perhaps?

Prince Aniaba.

You have my word.

I will depend on it.

Sire...

if I may be so bold,

I believe Her Majesty has met our visitor once before.

Yes, in Paris.

Why, then, would you compel the queen

once more into a private audience with him?

The lands of Africa are a locked room

and our Prince Aniaba may hold the key.

We have learned from our missionaries to the Senegal River

there is wealth in these regions beyond all measure.

Its people and its trade will be the foundations of our future

and fund a thousand wars, a hundred palaces.

Then we must win Africa.

And the only question is how.

And the queen?

Is helping us.

How do I look?

I dressed you myself. How do you think I think you look?

Talking of which, who puts a dwarf in a drainpipe?

What are you talking about?

I mean, if the little man was sad, he might have done it himself.

Or do you think the queen tired of him?

Perhaps he was trying to mend the king's fountains

and restore himself to favour and shoved himself in there like a cork,

only to pop up and float and scare the young people.

You have too much time on your hands.

You should come with me to the front.

Are you inviting me...

to a war?

Oh, how romantic(!)

Are you mad?

Not any war.

My war.

Your brother says one thing and does another.

I would not hold your breath.

But if you ever do go, I shall remain here, naturally,

to ensure that your place at court remains assured.

Is that so?

How generous of you to ensure my place!

-You look handsome.

-I already told him.

You did not, in fact.

Husband, is there news?

Not yet.

Bontemps!

Bontemps!

I have a sword, armour and a horse. Why the delay?

When will I go to war?

The king has not yet set a date.

What am I supposed to do until then?

Perhaps he will send you instead.

-I would be happy to serve, of course.

-Naturally!

Do you really think he does not see you exactly as you are?

Oh, he sees me. And he enjoys it.

That, my dear, is what divides us.

At least when your husband is gone, I'll know where to find you.

-If you come to my rooms, I will not answer.

-Naturally.

I would not think to seek you there,

just as I would not seek the king at the chambers of Her Majesty.

I know how very much you enjoy swimming.

I might find you at the pool house, for example.

I hear it's very popular for young lovers...of nature.

You are warned, sir.

Constantly, my dear.

Nice house.

GUNSHOTS

Honoured guests of the king...

Aniaba, Prince of Assinie.

Son to the king of Eguafo,

inheritor of the Coast of Ivory and Teeth,

Lord of the Sky.

My brother...Kobina.

Prince Aniaba, you will accompany me, please, er, alone.

Your brother will accompany Monsieur Marchal.

And my friends?

Will bask in the full warmth of the king's hospitality.

CHATTER AND LAUGHTER

Are you sure?

It's beautiful! Thank you!

He's so handsome.

How can he be handsome if he is black?

How can he not?

You are so odd!

I hear his lands have rivers of gold.

How far is it to the trees?

Majesty, as requested, it is done.

Prince Aniaba is suitably ill at ease.

Good! Make him wait.

I received word that my good friends the Parthenays

are riding to Versailles from their estates in the south.

-Little Francoise is coming?

-With her husband and family.

How time has flown.

The Parthenays are well-regarded in the south.

As a favour to me,

they are riding here to submit their noble credentials

as an example to the rest.

We will ensure The Gazette reports on this.

-Perhaps also strike a medal, Colbert.

-Ah!

The political arithmetic will augur great things to come.

"The great nobles of the south

"submit their credentials to the king."

That would do it.

"The king receives the credentials from the nobles of the south."

That sounds better, don't you think?

That's a lot of shit!

But only the very finest shit from the king's horses in the Louvre.

I, erm...

Speak. What is on your mind?

On my way back here through the woods,

I came across an old man cooking a rat by a stream.

At first, I thought he was just an old tramp, but...

But you recognised him?

From the court of your father.

He fought against him.

During the rebellion?

Yes, well, had they been successful...

You would be dead.

One day, I would very much like to know more about my father.

Good day, Prince Aniaba.

Good day to you...

..highness.

Such a pleasure to see you again.

What's wrong? You're shaking.

Many reasons...

You, us, him...

the Chevalier.

The Chevalier makes you tremble?

He scares me.

The way he looks at me.

The way he talks about you and my husband.

You remember when you were 16?

You stepped on a rose.

Your foot was bleeding.

You kissed my toes.

I took the pain away?

In an instant.

Nothing has changed.

I will always make sure of it.

Your arms protect me now, but when I am alone with him...

You have nothing to worry about

when it comes to the Chevalier

or your husband.

I'm your safe harbour.

You'll protect me from the waves?

Even as they roll over us.

Even as the tide takes me.

-BONTEMPS:

-He is ready for you now.

Would you come this way, please?

Prince Aniaba of Assinie, you are welcome at my court.

Versailles is more beautiful than I can imagine.

May I present to you my brother, Philippe, the Duke of Orleans.

His wife, Henriette of England.

Colbert, first minister of my cabinet.

Mademoiselle de la Valliere.

You've already met my wife.

When I hosted a party here a few years ago,

we did not have the room to accommodate my friends.

Most of them had to take rooms in town.

So I am building some myself...

400 apartments, all told.

Where are the workers?

They are currently engaged in the planning stages

of a particularly dangerous part of construction.

We can return tomorrow to see them engaged with the labour.

I would like that very much.

Tell me about the countries of Africa.

When do we negotiate?

Prince Aniaba, in France, we have a different way of doing things.

Perhaps I've made a mistake.

Perhaps I should go and talk to the Dutch, the Spanish,

the English.

All are keen to discuss the future.

You're not enjoying our hospitality?

Hm. There is a great deal of it.

And more besides, as you shall see tonight.

What happens then?

Then...I shall sit down with you.

I have no explanation.

I'm so very sorry, Monsieur Marchal.

Half the shipments lost and four men dead.

HE SIGHS

The king is missing gold...

..marble, stone and wine.

This is becoming a pattern.

DOOR OPENS

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

Appearance is everything.

Everything!

Do you not understand?

Has anyone been listening to a word I've said?

He's a guest in my house

and so far has shown me more grandeur in his clothing

than I can show him in my palace.

A shipment of marble and stone went missing on the road, sire.

And, naturally, the men cannot work without materials.

Missing? Did this marble dispatch itself into the woods alone?

There are thieves on the road, sire.

There have always been thieves on the road.

You think our man had his pocket picked? This is organised.

-This is sabotage!

-The more we build, the more we need.

The more we need, the greater number of goods we transport to Versailles

and the more likely these moments are.

And these moments build to movements.

And, before we know it, our lands are on fire.

We cannot build without foundations!

-Sire...

-The king's road is sacrosanct!

Sacred ground!

Protected and secure!

And if it is not, then the fabric of the country is torn

and no-one will know where they are.

Whoever did this is declaring war.

I will take my men and ride to the road, set up patrols.

At once.

Yes, sire.

Wait!

You would countermand His Majesty?

With war upon us, we don't have enough men.

Protecting the king is our priority.

I will handle the roads.

Make sure your men are of quality.

I need them as my eyes and ears.

SQUAWKING

My name is Madame de Beauvais.

Your mother sent me.

I'm your new tutor.

What will you teach me, Madame de Beauvais?

Call me Catherine.

Shall I order the workers back to the scaffolding, sire?

Yes.

Yes, of course.

-Even if they pretend to work.

-Sire?

Where is my brother?

Our visitor has inspired me.

I think I require more colour.

How does one dress for a war?

The purple one?

-Or the red?

-The red, of course.

I like the purple.

Me, too.

That's why I said red.

Philippe, when you do leave...

..please make sure to come back.

I cannot promise that.

Say the words.

If I were to die, your life would be simple, would it not?

My problems will never be solved. You know that.

And, in any case, I would rather you did not die.

You say the sweetest things, poppet.

I mean it.

Since we were small...

..my dream has been war.

Yours has been my brother.

Look how lucky we are.

Perhaps, one day, we will both live our dreams.

-COLBERT:

-'We may have war or we may have splendour.

'But I do not believe that we can have both.'

-LOUVOIS:

-'Then it must be war.'

-FABIEN:

-'All who surround you will smile and they will deal,

'but they would all see you destroyed, sire.'

-BONTEMPS:

-'You are the king of our future.

'The only question is what kind shall it be?'

-ANNE OF AUSTRIA:

-'You dream of paradise.

'But you must build it for yourself.'

-PHILIPPE:

-'I've been dressed like this since I was three months old

'so that I would not be the cloud in front of the sun.'

PRIEST PRAYS IN LATIN

-PRIEST:

-Amen.

I thought if I began my departure, you might sanction it.

I think you've blessed me quite enough now. Thank you.

I do not understand.

I await your word, brother.

And when I can await no more, I ask for deliverance from my God.

Which one are you?

I think I might be a horse.

At least that's what I've been told.

Brother...

You want me to be serious.

Stay close to your bodyguard at all times.

You leave today.

I will bring you glory.

I vow it.

May God watch over you and bring you home safely.

Go, then.

Run to her.

You have my blessing.

God knows you don't need a priest for that.

-Sophie, my dear.

-Yes?

-Your help, if you please.

-A moral quandary.

-Mm-hm!

I will do my best.

If someone I adore fucks someone else without my express consent,

is it not right and just for parity to be restored

that I fuck someone of my own choosing?

-Mm-hm.

-I tried to ask Bishop Bossuet on the issue,

but he was most unforthcoming.

-I...

-Sophie, do not answer.

Oh, she has the answer. Look...

All over her face!

Enough teasing!

We should count our lucky stars.

I mean, so many families are being thrown out of court.

None had papers in place.

Well, even so...

I suppose none of them had anyone to vouch for them.

These are the laws we must all now comply with.

Well, at least we have our Chevalier.

And why are you being so nice to me?

My own folly. I know in my heart

you will use us up and cast us out like all the rest.

Naturally. But I will watch out for you in all this madness.

Have no fear of that. Especially you, my pretty.

Sophie...

-Oh!

-Come at once!

-WORKER:

-Hand me that trowel!

BANGING

The mixture is too thick. Water it down.

Sophie...

-Her name is Sophie.

-Well, that's a death wish.

Better to die for something you believe in, right?

What did you say your name was again?

Benoit, sir.

Jacques.

What's a gardener doing up here?

The view helps me measure the lines of the garden.

-And the girls who walk in it.

-You be careful with that business.

Think of your future, huh?

I am.

If your friends, the Parthenays,

prove as meaningful as I believe they might,

once they have visited and shown their loyalty,

we could persuade much of the south to comply.

Leaving who?

The north and east.

Who defies me there?

The Duke of Cassel, sire, to my mind.

He commands great influence in the north and east.

Half the nobility are in his debt.

His family have occupied those lands since before memory.

He is our keystone, then.

If we extract him from the wall, the entire structure is demolished.

If we do not, the collapse shall be ours.

He does not heed our letters, sire. We've had no response.

Send him a gift.

My portrait.

With a messenger, alongside an order to comply with our laws.

He shall supply his proof of nobility

or suffer the consequence, to which all of France shall bear witness.

A messenger from the king.

Bearing gifts.

Hm.

Hm.

How very kind(!)

Would you like some champagne?

Louis the Great commands your presence to court.

You are required by his word to present proof of your nobility.

Really?

LAUGHTER AND CHATTER

I should warn you, Kobina.

The king is throwing an entertainment in our honour,

but we are not here to enjoy ourselves.

For as long as we leave alive, I don't care.

To be sure,

Chevalier indeed possesses more influence than I first thought.

But these chambers are much smaller than our previous ones.

-Do you know what I love most about being here?

-No, what?

The noise. All the hustle and bustle of the court.

How do I look?

You're not going out in that, young lady!

Mother, please, do not fuss.

Fuss?

This is not a game.

This is my job, to ensure it is you who catches the king's eye.

Now, look into the glass.

What do you see?

I see me.

This is not a time for women. This is a time for men.

But even the wisest king in the world can be rendered a fool

by something so fair.

You may never be a queen...

-SOPHIE GASPS

-..but with that...

you may live like one.

I do believe...

..you are the fairest of them all.

Good luck, everybody!

Hm, I adore your perfume.

I'm not wearing any.

It must be so hard mothering a child by yourself.

I do what I can.

You must find it hard being...

so far away from your husband and children.

I find the absence is not painful unless someone mentions it.

That's a very beautiful dress.

And it's wrapped around quite a lovely creature.

Why, thank you.

The king wished to sit down with me tonight to negotiate.

-And sit you shall.

-We negotiate in public?

-You would have us send everyone to bed?

-If that's what it takes.

-You have a woman?

-My wife lives in Paris.

-With you?

-I live with the king.

Now I am confused.

Wherever the king sleeps, I sleep.

Er, this is as far as I go.

His bed must be very crowded.

NOISY LAUGHTER AND CHATTER

ROOM FALLS SILENT

Brother, we're not wanted here. Better if we retire.

Brother...

..the negotiations have just begun.

Please, husband, don't toy with him this way.

I believe I have the measure of this game.

Apparently so!

Alas, fortune at this table does not favour us tonight.

So...let's play.

What are you doing?

Winning.

There is a spring in your step.

And a group of worried faces in my path.

Your Majesty, urgent business requires your immediate attention.

I hope your new-found success carries you quickly to our bed.

Cassel has replied to your message, sire.

"Here is your proof.

"A contribution to your noble project."

May I reply to him in person, sire?

I counsel restraint.

-In the face of insolence?

-If I may, sire?

To send troops and arrest him will end your plan as soon as it starts.

If you put Cassel in prison,

you may as well put all of the nobles in jail,

because that would be the end result of it all.

At least, let me bruise his face for this insult he has returned to you.

Cut off one head, another will take its place.

To strike him down is to beg for civil war.

And we saw how well that went for the English.

Husband, I'm not yet ready.

I'm not here in duty, but in gratitude.

For keeping your word to me

and for showing such hospitality to our guest.

You availed yourself very well. And for that, I am grateful.

SHE MOANS

I wish to bestow a gift upon you.

I accept.

The gift is a secret.

So much the better.

Your daughter is alive.

SHE PANTS AND MOANS

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

Brother!

Brother, wake up! The king wants to see you.

Tell him to wait.

You can tell him for yourself.

Please, get dressed. We do not have much time.

-Where are we going?

-You'll see.

Sire, we received word the Parthenay family will arrive this morning.

-And will my goddaughter Charlotte be with them?

-Yes, sire.

A little ray of sunshine.

Are we nearly there, Maman?

You, stay here.

How did you enjoy my wine?

What would you offer me?

The Dutch do not have your hospitality, of course...

..but they do have money.

Where are we?

A brief stop.

My gardener chanced upon this man.

He was a noble who fought against my family during the uprising.

MAN GASPS

He thought himself safe...

..out here in the woods.

MAN GASPS FOR BREATH

MAN WHEEZES AND GROANS

MAN'S GROANS GROW FAINTER

MAN FALLS SILENT

Oh, my God...!

Your valuables, if you so please.

I know that voice! Montcourt!

Don't! Please...don't!

GUNSHOT

-MONTCOURT:

-Kill her.

-TOMAS:

-Or I will.

SHE WHIMPERS AND PANTS

GUNSHOT

MAN KNOCKS ON DOOR

-MAN:

-Hey, we have to move!

Montcourt, come on!

-It will be dark soon!

-She's gone.

She'll die! Let's go!

Why are we here?

The Dutch do have money, but no power.

We have both.

BABY COOS

Why have you brought me here?

To finish our negotiation.

-We have not even started yet.

-Aniaba, we have been negotiating

since the moment you stepped off your coach.

You leave me little choice.

I offer you security and a fair stake in revenue.

I also offer you a gunboat to secure your port.

You've been away from home for a long time

and your enemies are moving on your capital.

My father will deal with them.

BABY COOS

Do you see this loud little life before you?

A close friend told me that God himself

brought this child to me for a reason.

Only now do I understand.

Her very existence begs a question because, in any other country,

in England, Spain, the Republics of the Dutch,

she would be long dead and her mother, too.

And yet, here she is.

And here you are.

You can be sure of one thing.

You may make a deal with the Dutch, the English, the Spanish.

Rest assured, they will smile and agree.

Then they will bring their armies, burn your lands,

kill your families

and take everything you hold dear. Of that, you can be sure.

-You would do the same.

-Not I.

And I suggest you decide quickly.

A country with no king will eat itself in war.

King?

BABY STARTS TO CRY

We received word that your father is dead.

You are king now.

My condolences, Your Majesty.

BABY CRIES LOUDLY

BABY CONTINUES TO CRY

Majesty...

Bless me, father, for I have sinned.

BABY CRIES

We're going.

The Venetians have been working hard on a new glass, sire.

They hope this one will be more to your liking.

Better.

FIRE SPITS AND CRACKLES

HE CLICKS HIS FINGERS

Burn him.