Cromwell Page #8

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When he dies,

he shall have much to answer for.

- We have gone too far.

- This commission has no authority...

- Our authority lies with the Parliament.

- Parliament is the law in this land.

If the charges against this king

be not proven...

...what terrible retribution may he not

bring down upon our heads?

In the name of God!

What are we all?

Men?

Cowering and quivering

like downtrodden serfs.

The king is not England,

and England is not the king!

It is not the survival of the king

that is at issue here.

It is the survival of England.

And this king, by his dishonesties,

by his treasons...

...and by his secret treaties

with foreign powers...

...has shown himself to be ill-fitted

to govern this great nation!

As God is my witness, Oliver,

I desire not the king's death...

...but the settlement of this nation

in peace.

Do you think I don't desire that?

Go back to my farm and my family?

Very well.

Go again to this king.

Offer him once more our terms.

Though God knows, he should be

well acquainted with them by now.

Tell him he may sit upon his throne...

...but that this country will be governed

by Parliament...

...and Parliament will be elected

by the people.

Now, Sir Thomas, if you can

achieve this, where we have failed...

...this trial will end.

Here is a warrant

demanding the king's death...

...upon the charge of high treason

against this nation.

It will require all your signatures.

Sir Thomas.

I have come thus far with you, Oliver,

in our great cause...

...but I will not sign this warrant.

- Oliver, I cannot. He is the king.

- Guilty or not?

- Is he guilty?

- Yes.

Sign it.

Charles Stuart, king of England...

...you have been found guilty

of high treason...

...against the good people

of this nation...

...represented in Parliament

by whose authority...

...this court sits in judgement

upon you.

Upon this charge

it is the sentence of this court...

...that you be taken hence to an...

Appointed place.

And put to death by

the severing of the head from the body.

And that is the sentence

of the whole court.

- Remove the prisoner.

- Silence.

- Will you hear me a word, sir?

- No, sir.

- You're not to be heard after sentence.

- By your favour, sir.

I know as much law as any man here.

I have the right to be heard.

No, sir.

Guard! Remove your prisoner!

I demand to be heard!

I am your lawful king!

Blood for the traitor!

- General.

- Sir Thomas.

I have been this past night

to the commissioners.

They have instructed me

to lay before you...

...this warrant for 40,000 pounds...

...in return for the king's life.

How little you know me. That you think

you can buy my principles.

You insult me with that cheap bribe.

Will you not think on it?

I have thought on it. And well.

By my God, I have thought on it.

"Then the soldiers of the governor

took Jesus into the common hall.

And they stripped him

and put on him a scarlet robe.

And when they had platted a crown

of thorns, they put it upon his head.

They bowed before him

and mocked him...

...saying, 'Hail, king of the Jews! '

and they spit..."

- Your Majesty.

- Is it time?

No, Your Majesty. Her Royal Highness,

the Princess Elizabeth...

...and his Royal Highness,

Prince Henry.

Elizabeth, sweetheart.

Don't grieve for me.

Henry.

Now, both of you...

...mark what I say.

They will cut off thy father's head.

There now.

Henry, pay careful attention

to what I say.

You must not let them make you king.

Not while your brother Charles

is still alive.

- I would be torn to pieces first.

- That's my son.

Today, your brother will be king.

Elizabeth, now.

It's a glorious death to which I go.

Tell your mother...

...that my love for her

was the same to the last.

And remember me in your prayers.

- The king's escort, Your Majesty.

- Thank you.

God bless you both.

What kind of morning is it, colonel?

Indeed it is somewhat chilly,

Your Majesty.

Then I was wise

to put on a second shirt.

For if I trembled with the cold,

my enemies would say it was from fear.

I would not expose myself

to such a reproach.

- Please keep them.

- Oh, Your Majesty.

I do not fear death, Sir Thomas.

It is not at all terrible to me.

I thank my God I have prepared for it.

Are we to ride to Westminster, or walk?

My orders are that we walk,

Your Majesty.

Admirable.

The morning air will do me good.

The king's coming.

- He's coming now. The king's coming!

- Hey, you. Stop him!

Gentlemen, the king comes.

- Traitor!

- Execute him!

Execute him!

- And a true, urgent sword in our hand.

- God bless, Your Majesty.

God bless you.

Escort, halt!

Well, gentlemen, are you afraid to kill

your king with an open face?

I will not delay you long,

but will say only this to you:

As God is my witness, I have forgiven

those that have brought me here.

And pray that my death

be not laid to their charge.

For I do endeavour even to the last...

...to maintain the peace

of my kingdom.

I go now...

...from a corruptible

to an incorruptible crown.

To everlasting peace.

Will that suffice?

Permit me, sir, that I may pray a while

before the blow is struck.

Then when I put out my hands so:

That will be the sign.

Lord, let thy servant

depart in peace according to thy word.

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation

which thou has prepared before all.

Glory be to the Father, Son,

and Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning is now

and ever shall be.

Behold the head of a traitor!

We did not assassinate.

Nor was this done in a corner,

it was done in the face of God...

...and of all men.

The office of king is now abolished.

Long live Parliament.

- Long live the Republic.

- Aye, long live the Republic.

Richard,

I want to go back to Cambridge.

- Will you come with me, son?

- lf you wish, Father.

It will be peace and quiet there now.

God knows,

my soul craves a little peace.

You must not think on it, Oliver.

'Tis over now.

The war, everything.

'Tis over and done.

Oliver, you're home now.

There's nothing more to think on.

Save that we two may grow old

together in peace.

Peace.

Father.

Henry Ireton is at the house

with some men from Parliament.

I'll be along shortly.

Tom.

Arthur.

Henry.

Well, you all seem solemn enough.

It is a solemn business

that brings us here.

Well, speak of it.

The country needs a head of state.

It must be governed.

- Is it not governed by Parliament?

- There must be a figurehead.

It is our tradition.

The country needs a king, Oliver.

God knows,

you've said so many times yourself.

The country will be ruled

by Parliament.

Now, in the name of Christ,

how often must I say that?

- And who will control Parliament?

- The people, the people, the people!

- It's not practical. It won't work.

- It will work and it must work.

We are here, on behalf of Parliament,

to offer you the crown.

To offer...

Me, king of England?

King Oliver I of England.

Elizabeth, tell me,

do you see before you a king?

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