Cromwell Page #2

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Where is he?

- He's at prayers, my lord.

- Aye.

He might do well to pray and all.

We're gonna need some help.

First the Irish and now the Scots.

You doesn't turn your back

on either of them.

Let us give thanks to God, that he

has seen fit to bless this table...

...with the fruits of his bounty. In the

name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, amen.

I did remark with some distress...

...that His Highness, Prince Charles,

was absent from prayers this morning.

He was with me, my lord.

He did pray with you?

In your chapel?

- Yes, my lord.

- I am most displeased.

It is not fitting that a future king...

...should make his devotions

in a Catholic chapel.

Your private beliefs are respected.

But this is a Protestant country...

...and as head of church and state it is

my duty to see that it so remains.

His Highness found the whole business

so boring, my lord, that he fell asleep.

- Didn't you, Charles?

- Yes, madam.

I believe you will find your church

as solid as ever, my lord.

Nevertheless, you will kindly see that

it does not happen again.

Yes, my lord.

Your Majesty? The earl

of Strafford awaits your pleasure.

My good Lord Strafford,

welcome back to England.

Thank you, my lord.

Your Majesty.

Your Royal Highness.

Most noble sovereign.

- A chair for his lordship.

- Thank you, my lord.

I'm sorry to see you in pain.

It is the agues from the bogs of

Ireland, my lord. Godforsaken place.

Saving your presence, my lord bishop.

We would not have summoned

you had the situation...

...not been of great urgency.

You've heard that the Scottish

rebels are marching on Newcastle?

You will whip these barbarians

to their senses.

- But what of Ireland, my lord?

- We'll deal with Ireland in good time.

- You'll march an army on Scotland.

- Army. What army?

Most of your army lies rotting

beneath the bogs of Ireland.

And what's left of it is hard-pressed

to keep law and order.

Then we will raise a second army.

I fear Your Majesty may find

that easier said than done.

What? I guarantee I could raise 3000

men under arms inside a month!

But could you guarantee their loyalty?

Is there an Englishman who wouldn't

draw a sword...

...against his king's enemies?

- Many Englishmen...

...who would more readily draw

swords against the king.

My God, who is this jackanapes that

mouths such treason in your presence?

You've been away

a long time, Strafford.

Much here has changed.

Aye, I can see it has.

I fear Sir Edward but speaks the truth.

To put an effective army in the field

will cost almost a million pounds.

The Crown does not

have a million pounds.

Are we just going to sit here

then and do nothing?

Then I will summon Parliament

and instruct them to provide money.

Parliament?!

The king of England go cap in

hand to the common people, like a...

- A beggar.

- Aye! A beggar.

- I have no choice.

- I say take the money.

You, my lord, are absolved before God

and before man from any such action.

For in extreme necessity, the king is

acquitted from all rule of government...

...and can do all

that his power permits.

Power? Where is the power

of a king without an army?

I'll warrant you, I'll raise an army.

We'll reduce this kingdom

to submission in one summer!

Do you mean, sir, that I should

declare war on my own people?

Aye!

Before they declare war on you.

Well, sons. There it is.

Parliament House.

Upon that place rests all the hopes

of this nation...

...for a settlement of its ills in peace.

Do you think it could come

to war, Father?

Well, Oliver,

when men run out of words...

...they reach for their swords.

Let's hope we can keep them talking.

The king demands money

to raise an army.

This House demands

redress for grievances.

Grievances which the past 12 years

have laid heavy upon the nation.

Might I be heard? I say this

House is resolved that we'll vote...

Welcome back to Parliament.

No money for the king!

Order! Order!

Neither will we take up arms against

our Scottish brethren, unless...

Unless this Parliament is allowed

to function...

...as the true voice

of the people of England.

And not as a gathering

of lackeys to the king.

Sir Edward Hyde, Your Majesty.

- Well, Sir Edward?

- Your Majesty.

I believe the House will grant a loan

to the Crown.

But only on certain conditions.

Conditions?

What do you mean, conditions?

What are these conditions, Sir Edward?

In essence, sire...

...that the Crown relinquishes

all authority over Parliament.

And who put forward this proposal?

John Pym, Henry Ireton,

John Hampden.

The Puritans.

- They were well supported, my lord.

- And they call themselves Englishmen?

My God, it's enough to make

a man deny his birthright.

Yet, withal, they still be Englishmen.

They make a mockery of the Crown!

They abuse the privilege of

free speech with sedition and treason.

You're too loud, Lord Strafford.

It is most unpleasant to the ear.

So it has come to this, my lord.

- That you now bargain for your crown.

- What would you have me do?

Arrest every man who opposes me?

Hang them?

Would you rather make a gift

of the Crown of England...

...to the rabble in the street?

It lies beyond my power to arrest

a citizen without proper charges.

Charges are immaterial.

Such an act would subvert the

fundamental laws of this land, madam.

Such an act might save the

Crown of England, my lord.

I've governed this country justly

and fairly these 12 years...

...without reference to any Parliament.

You may be assured, I do not intend

now to be schooled in my high office...

...by illiterate farm hands, cobblers...

...and basket weavers.

My Lord Strafford, you will rid us

of these troublemakers:

Pym, Ireton, all of them.

- I'll arrest every one of them, my lord.

- As you will.

- I shall need a warrant.

- That is imperative.

And what will the

charges be, my lord?

You're an experienced officer

of the Crown, Strafford.

You do not need

to be instructed by me.

Mr. Speaker.

May I have permission

to address the House?

- By all means, sir.

- Gentlemen.

A matter has come to my notice,

which is of deep concern to me...

...and will, I am sure, be to every

single member of this House.

The earl of Strafford has, this day,

put his hand to a warrant...

...for the arrest

and impeachment of myself...

...and four other honourable members

of this House.

Upon a charge of high treason.

Though Strafford's hand be

upon this warrant...

...I see in this business, not the hand

of Strafford, but that of the king.

My lord!

I beseech you,

do not condemn this king too hastily.

For I am persuaded he has

been ill-advised upon this course.

Is not a king to be judged by those

from whom he seeks counsel?

He is not!

It is not the function of this House

to sit in judgement upon this king.

The fault lies with those people from

whom the king has sought counsel.

I therefore move that

this House demands...

...the arrest and impeachment

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