Is that him?
Yes.
Oliver!
- God be with you, Oliver.
- You too, John.
This is Henry Ireton, a friend.
- Good day, sir.
- Mr. Ireton.
I've been taking a last look at my land.
We had heard you were leaving.
We came from London directly.
You could have saved
yourself the effort.
- lf we could discuss it, I'm sure...
- There is nothing to discuss.
Well, come back to my house.
You've got a long journey back.
You must forgive the manner
of our table, Mr. Pym.
Our best crockery
is packed for the voyage.
- Bridget, fetch the bread.
- Yes, Mother.
We'd hoped to persuade
your husband...
...to change his mind
about going to America.
I should have thought you'd know
Oliver better than that, Mr. Pym.
It was not an easy decision, John.
This is my country, my land.
God has been good to me here.
- Then, sir, why are you leaving?
- I have a family, Mr. Ireton.
I owe it to my sons
to make a better life for them.
England is no longer
a country for a young man.
I recall you spoke
out in Parliament for the rights...
...and privileges of common people.
That was a long time ago, Mr. Ireton.
I had a vision then.
A great nation.
Prosperous, God-fearing,
good laws, strong...
...respected throughout the world.
That was the England I dreamed of.
Well, sir, you are a squire now,
a man of property.
Perhaps you no longer care
for the common people.
Perhaps I've been misinformed, sir.
I thought, as a Puritan, you
would see it as your God-given duty...
...to do the Lord's work in this land,
regardless of sacrifice.
Mr. Ireton, I was fighting
for the liberty of the common people...
...when you were in knee breeches.
Then why are you leaving?
I am leaving because this country
crawls with greed and corruption.
It is governed by profiteers...
...who think more
of their pockets than their principles.
I am leaving because we have a king
who taxes the rich beyond its means...
...and steals land
from the poor to maintain...
...his lavish court
and his Catholic wife.
When Parliament objected
against these injustices...
...he closed his Parliament down.
And our man dare not speak
his mind for fear of imprisonment.
Oh, yes.
All my life I believed it was God's work
to fight against such tyranny.
But God has turned his back
upon this nation, and we are leaving it.
And what if Parliament
should be recalled, Mr. Cromwell?
- And why should a king do that?
- He needs money, Oliver.
- What? To build another palace?
- No.
To fight a war.
A war, John?
A war against whom?
The Scots have assembled
on our border.
They may invade us at any moment.
The king needs money
to raise an army.
By the king's own decree, Parliament
has not sat these past 12 years.
- And now the king needs money.
- Once Parliament has assembled...
...it will lie within our power
to change...
...the whole structure
of government in this country.
How many times
did we sit in Parliament?
How many resolutions did we pass?
And how many times did
this king overrule us?
The king can have
his war with Scotland.
- We will be in America.
- There will be a war...
...but it will not be with Scotland.
- Henry.
- With whom, Mr. Ireton?
- We've argued this matter many times.
I am convinced.
- A war against whom, Mr. Ireton?
- Against the king, sir.
The king?
You mean a civil war? In England?
You know not the ways of this nation.
Such things do not happen here.
And, in my opinion, it is long overdue.
I will not have such talk in my house.
It is common enough talk
these days, I fear.
Then it is treasonable talk!
And I will not have it in my house!
I mark the time
when you were against the king.
There is much in this
king that offends me.
Yet I would not take up arms against
him, and I'd oppose any move to do so.
In such a cause,
our swords will be in God's hands.
Every man who wages war
believes God is on his side.
I warrant God should often wonder
who is on his. Good evening, sir.
If I gave you offence,
I beg your pardon.
You're a young man. It's fitting a young
man should want to change the world.
Not the world, sir.
Only England.
With a civil war.
- Good evening, Mrs. Cromwell.
- Good evening.
I'll get your cloak, Mr. Ireton.
I hope you'll forgive him.
Goodbye, John.
God be with you, Oliver.
You've no right to do this.
Leave them animals be.
This is the common land.
Any man who raises a hand against
the king's men will be arrested.
You have no right to do this.
This land is ours.
- Now it's the earl of Manchester's.
- By whose authority?
- By the authority of the king.
- Then I say the king is a thief!
You're under arrest.
Take him away!
Bastards!
Release that man!
- Who are you?
- This man works for me.
I will take full responsibility.
He's spoken treason against the king.
Will you take responsibility for that?
The rights to pasture belong
to the common people.
By what authority
do you take it away?
By the authority
of His Majesty's commissioners...
...granting me full rights to this land
for the purpose of improvement.
Such a contract cannot be legal.
It is in violation of the law of this land.
As a magistrate, you should know
the king is the law of this land.
On the contrary, Lord Manchester.
It is the king's duty to maintain the law.
This is common land.
It belongs to the people.
This is my land
and you are trespassing.
It's only out of respect for your rank
I don't have you arrested.
Captain Lundsford! See that no
unauthorized person enters this area.
Yes, my lord.
Remove these people.
Good morrow to you, squire.
Good morrow, Mrs. Cromwell.
- Have you news of my husband?
- It's in God's hands, Mrs. Carter.
- And in the king's.
- Aye.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, look down upon this
thy house and we, thy humble servants.
Grant us the spirit of thy grace
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Who has done this?
- Answer me. Who has done this?
- An edict, squire...
...from the archbishop himself and
by order of the king.
By order of the king.
Is the Church of England
not a Protestant church?
Would the king turn the house
of God into a Roman temple?
- Mr. Cromwell, I beseech you.
- Does the king think that God...
...can be bought with gold,
trinkets and gilded rubbish?
I know only
that I have been instructed.
Has this king
forgotten the Reformation?
- Mr. Cromwell...
- Away with it.
Popish idolatry!
Did the Lord not say unto Moses:
"Thou shalt not make unto thyself any
graven image...
...nor bow down to them"?
Has this king forgotten
the Spanish Inquisition?
Is the Roman Catholic Church
to have a seat in Westminster?
Oh, my God.
My God.
Oh, my God!
Goddamn this king.
King's guard, attention!
Here we are, my lord.
That'll do, damn it.
I'm not a damned cripple.
Me sticks, where are me sticks?
Come over here, boy.
- Here they are, my lord.
- Give me the damned things.
- And who the devil are you?
- Edward Hyde.
Let's in to His Majesty.
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
of the earl of Strafford...
...upon a charge of high treason
against the people of this nation.
Silence! Order!
The motion has been proposed.
Let it be put now to the question.
- Is the motion agreed?
- No!
In favour of the motion?
Aye! Aye! Aye!
The ayes have it.
I think my Lord Strafford's condition...
...will soon be far happier than mine.
Do you see, madam?
Do you see now what
you've made me do?
Gentlemen, His Majesty.
Pray be seated.
Your coming is nothing if not timely.
My Lord Strafford's head
has but barely fallen.
Gentlemen, it is for you to speak.
Your Majesty, you see here the leaders
of all parties of the House.
And though we be divided on many
issues, we are of one accord.
In that we place above all else,
our allegiance and loyalty...
...to our most gracious sovereign.
For which reason we
are deeply anxious...
...for a settlement of our differences.
I share your sentiment, Sir Edward.
The issue be this, my lord.
Parliament is persuaded that without
the right to govern this nation...
...by the will of the people
and with God's guidance...
...we be not a Parliament at all.
And that unless some constitutional
reformation be brought about...
...we would as well go back to our
homes and our farms as pursue this...
...mockery of a government
one more day.
In short, Mr. Pym, you're asking me...
...to relinquish my sovereign
power over Parliament.
It does amount to that,
Your Majesty.
I swear that I hold
this England and its laws...
...dearer to my heart than any here.
But gentlemen, if you were to reduce
me to a figurehead, a puppet king...
...manipulated by Parliament,
how then would I serve my country?
What manner of king would I be?
I am persuaded, Your Majesty...
...that England must move forward to a
more enlightened form of government...
...based upon a true
representation of a free people.
Such an institution
is known as democracy, sir.
- Democracy, Mr...?
- Cromwell, sir.
Democracy, Mr. Cromwell,
was a Greek drollery...
...based on the foolish notion that
there are extraordinary possibilities...
...in very ordinary people.
It is the ordinary people who would
most readily lay down their lives...
...in defence of your realm.
It is simply that being ordinary...
...they would prefer
to be asked and not told.
You know, as I do, that the Scots rebels
are invading this land and not an...
...English sword is raised against them.
I beg you, therefore, let us bury...
...our differences in defence
of both our church and kingdom.
The Scots invade our land and
all is urgency and alarm.
In the past 12 months our Irish
colonists have been slaughtered...
...our churches desecrated,
our clergy persecuted.
The Crown has been reluctant...
...to defend our church and kingdom
over there, sir.
By my guard, I would as soon take
up arms against Rome...
...than against the Scots.
Would you have me declare war...
...on the entire
Catholic world, Mr. Cromwell?
It is your duty
to defend our church, sir.
We are speaking now
of a matter of international policy.
Is Your Majesty sure that it's not a
matter of domestic expediency?
I would remind you that
you are addressing your king.
Mr. Cromwell, you are impertinent.
Such issues are beyond
good manners, sir.
Catholicism is more than a religion,
it is a political power.
Therefore, I am led to believe there
will be no peace in Ireland...
...until the Catholic Church is crushed.
Your Majesty.
These gentlemen are
from the Parliament.
Your Majesty, Parliament has
drawn up this document...
...in which are set out
our main grievances.
It is our belief that the
demands made here...
...are only those that
are just and lawful...
...and in the best interests
of both crown and kingdom.
I shall examine these proposals
most carefully, Mr. Pym.
Gentlemen.
It is not too late, my lord.
You have the power still.
And with God's help,
the strength to use that power.
Oh, my dearest Charles.
I married you as a king and as a man.
I beseech you,
do not disappoint me in either aspect.
"This House has time and again...
...expressed its wholehearted loyalty
to the Crown.
Yet...
...doth Parliament await in vain
for a gesture..."
The king is coming to arrest you,
John Hampden, Henry Ireton...
...Sir Arthur Haselrig and Oliver
Cromwell for high treason.
I suggest you leave.
"...that if the issues that divide
the king from his country...
...be not soon resolved, then these
issues may soon divide the nation."
The king is coming with a warrant
for our arrest.
- What?
- We must leave at once.
Oliver, your name is on it.
Come!
My lords! My lords!
Gentlemen! The king comes.
He comes with 100 men-at-arms.
The doors! The doors! Bolt the doors!
- Stand aside, gentlemen, if you please.
- Halt!
Open in the name of the king!
Mr. Speaker.
Gentlemen, you must pardon
this infringement of your privilege...
...but I will not detain you long.
Mr. Speaker, I must make bold
with your chair.
I have here a warrant for the arrest
of five members of this House.
John Pym, Henry Ireton,
John Hampden...
...Oliver Cromwell
and Sir Arthur Haselrig...
...upon a charge of treason.
I see that the birds have flown.
Mr. Speaker,
where are these gentlemen?
May it please Your Majesty...
...I have neither eyes to see
nor tongue to speak...
...except as this House gives me leave.
Well, sir, I have eyes.
I see that one of them is here.
Captain.
Take him!
Any action against a member
of this House is a breach of privilege.
I move this House declares
as public enemies...
...any who lay hands upon its members.
And I further move...
I move that action against this House...
...be considered
a crime against the people.
And treason against this nation.
So be it.
Mr. Speaker, you will inform
the members of this House...
...that their presence
is no longer required by the nation.
This Parliament is, by my authority,
terminated. Dissolved.
Your Majesty!
Are you aware that by your action
in this House...
...you may have pushed this nation
to the brink of civil war?
Now do we see...
...in what contempt this king
holds this House and this nation.
It be either your king
or your Parliament.
Honourable members,
the decision is yours.
But I beseech you,
in the name of God, think well on it.
Fairfax.
Gentlemen.
I move that this House
demand the control of the militia.
And that this country be put
in an immediate posture of defence.
Mr. Speaker.
My lords.
Honourable members. This nation
is now in a state of civil war.
And let us pray that God in his mercy
will give us strength...
...in this terrible
and most unhappy hour.
Morning, William.
- Give you good day.
- Why the coffin?
If it be God's will I die,
I would have a decent Christian burial.
Let's hope it doesn't come to that,
William. I need you at the farm.
- Hello, Father.
- Morning.
- Where's your sword, Richard?
- I have no sword.
You must get one and wear it.
It's a mark of rank, captain.
- Yes.
- God bless thee!
Hallelujah, hallelujah, brethren.
It is the Lord's work we do this day!
- The Lord's work...
- This is no place for you, Hugh...
...though you be welcome.
- I've consulted God on this matter.
I asked him,
"Lord, whose side are you on?"
And he answered me, saying,
"On the side of truth and justice."
So here I am.
Company, forward!
Lift up your heads ye gates of brass
Ye bars of iron yield
And let the king of glory
Pass the crosses in the field
That banner brighter
Than the star that leaves a trail of light
Greetings, Uncle.
'Tis a fair day for a fight.
Where be the enemy?
My lords, I present my nephew.
His Highness, Prince Rupert,
Count Palatine of the Rhine.
- My lords, I give you greetings.
- Your Highness.
And good Cousin Charles,
most noble Prince of Wales.
- How fare you, young sir?
- I'm well, thank you, cousin.
So, let us to action.
For I do swear by this sword...
...within a week we'll have severed
every round head from its shoulders!
- Well said, Your Highness.
- Let the standard be raised.
Get those guns moving!
Thou shalt proclaim his life
Though granted...
Halt!
Halt!
- Where the devil are we?
- Edgehill, my lord, over there.
- Morning, Robert.
- Morning, Edward.
Damn me,
they've got a lot of fellows there.
- Where's Cromwell?
- Approaching now, my lord.
- Morning, Cromwell.
- Morning, my lord.
- Your men fit, colonel?
- My men are ready, my lord.
You seem eager to get
into this business, Cromwell.
We all enter this reluctantly,
but the die is cast.
- Is that not so, Lord Essex?
- You are right.
Well, to your position. Let no man
move except upon my signal.
- May God look kindly upon us this day.
- Amen to that.
Missed my breakfast.
Damned tricky things, stomachs.
- God be with you, men.
- God bless you.
- God be with you.
- Take care of yourself, William.
- The Lord'll take care of me.
- Have faith, John.
I have, squire. Come on, lads.
Look to your muskets.
Have your muskets at the ready.
Come on, now.
- Father.
- May God take care of you, Richard.
- And be with you, Oliver.
- And with you too, Father.
"O Lord, defend our cause
against the face of the enemy.
Save us from the violence of the
enemy. O Lord of hope...
...fight for us
that we may glorify thee."
O Lord, God of mercy.
Put thy strength in our hands this day.
Give not the battle to the strong,
but to the righteous.
And be thou, O merciful God,
our saviour and mighty deliverer.
Defend me from them that rise up
against me.
- In the name of Jesus Christ.
- Amen.
Amen.
- Amen.
- Amen.
Father, look. It's Lord Essex.
Come, cousin.
Let's take a good look
at these Roundheads. Your Majesty.
God's teeth, have we not parleyed
enough these past months?
- Well, Essex, are you prepared?
- We are. Shall we begin at 10?
Make it 9, my lord.
I'm positively starving.
Then in God's name, let's to it.
- It's agreed then, 9:00.
- And by my faith, which I have not...
...I swear that within the hour, this field
will be strewn with English dead.
If this be so, they will have
been killed by Englishmen.
For we have not seen fit to import
foreign mercenaries into our ranks.
I will mark you well for that insult, sir.
Be on your guard!
Colours to the rear!
Colours to the rear!
The Lord is our strength.
Praise the Lord!
What in the name of God
are we waiting for?
Ireton!
- I thought we came here to do battle.
- We're waiting for the appointed time.
The appointed time?
- Colonel Hampden, commence firing!
- Fire!
What the devil is that fool doing?
Artillery, commence firing!
Fire!
O Lord, thou knowest how busy
I must be this day.
If I forget thee, do not thou forget me.
Fire!
Fire!
You'd better send Fairfax in.
Bugler, sound the charge.
Troop at the gallop.
Advance!
- Signal Astley to advance.
- Bugler, sound the advance.
The sport begins.
Tallyho!
Troops rear left. At a gallop, charge!
Give fire!
Advance!
Advance!
Fire!
Advance pike!
Charge pike!
Fire! Second rank forward!
At the gallop!
It's getting too damned close
for my liking.
- Sound general retreat.
- Sound general retreat.
Why in the name of Christ
did you sound the retreat?
You've countermined my orders
once today. You'll do as you're told, sir.
Hold your ground, in the name of God!
Hold your ground!
Well, Uncle, did you ever see a quarry
so swiftly put to flight?
The king will forever keep this field
and this day's service...
...in grateful remembrance.
Come nightfall, we shall bury our dead.
And then, by God,
we shall bury this army.
With pitiful men in our ranks, it were
better this war were never fought.
Not a drop of English blood
soiled this land.
It's a bad officer who blames his men,
Cromwell.
I blame them not, my lord,
for they are simple men.
But what match are farmer's boys
against gentlemen's sons?
The battle is not yet lost, Cromwell.
This battle were lost before it began.
And in like manner, so will this war.
In the morning,
I'm returning to Cambridge.
If you desert the field,
I'll have you arrested.
This war will not be won
with untrained ploughmen...
...apprentices,
old, decaying serving men.
We need men with fire in their bowels
who fear the Lord, but not the enemy!
As God is my witness, I am
resolved that this battle will be won.
Therefore, it's my intention
to return to Cambridge...
...and handpick an army...
...the like of which this nation
has never seen!
With or without your permission,
my Lord Manchester.
Bristol will not be permitted to fall.
It's our only seaport in the west.
If General Goring's
incapable of holding it...
...I'll dispatch someone who can.
I've a mind to see Bristol, my lord.
'Tis a fair city, I hear.
Then I place Bristol in your command,
nephew. Should our forces...
- Your Majesty.
- Yes?
News of Cromwell's army,
Your Majesty.
- Come forward.
- At last, Old Ironsides ventures forth.
- Well, speak, man.
- They're six miles away, Your Majesty.
Just south of Naseby.
By my reckoning, there be
about 1000 horse and 2000 afoot.
- And what news of Manchester's army?
- I saw no other army, Your Majesty.
Was not Cromwell to join
Manchester's forces at Naseby?
- That was our intelligence.
- Manchester's still in Lincoln.
So Cromwell comes
with his army of 3000 to our 7000.
- By your leave, Uncle. Your Highness.
- General Astley, sound the alert.
I want every man in full battle order
at once.
By God, we have him!
Manchester!
Where in the name of Christ is he?
Know you not we are at war?
In God's name I do swear
we fight this war single-handed.
Oliver.
What bloody treachery is this?
We came to meet Manchester
and instead we find the king's army.
Well, I shall take on the king.
And after that if needs must,
I'll take on Manchester as well!
Before you stands the enemy,
his three to every one of us.
And where, in God's name,
is Manchester?
My Lord Manchester will rue the day
he has not joined us here.
And now to your positions.
These tactics we have practiced
these past six months...
...now let us put them to the test.
For upon this field of Naseby,
we'll turn the tide of this unhappy war.
God be with you all.
Is this wise, Oliver?
We're heavily outnumbered.
Was not Gideon outnumbered
by the Amalekites?
It is not numbers that count,
but speed and surprise.
Let no man move, except upon
the word of his commander!
Though we be outnumbered,
we shall win this battle!
I promise you!
So now put your faith in God
and keep your powder dry.
Halt!
Attack order. Double line abreast.
- Forward.
- Forward!
The man must be mad.
Prepare to attack.
Prepare to attack!
Our swords are in God's hand.
And our faith is in the Lord.
Charge!
Fire!
Forward!
Cromwell!
Regroup! Regroup!
After them!
Advance!
To the rear!
Forward!
Come on, lads!
At the gallop!
Your Majesty, may I suggest
that we withdraw?
No.
Who goes there?
Captain Cromwell, 3rd Cavalry.
Richard.
Thanks be to God.
Where is Oliver?
The outrageous incompetence
and inefficiency...
...of the high command
have tried my patience...
...and that of my hard-pressed army
long enough.
By my faith, I swear it would be better
that those gallant generals...
...Essex and Manchester,
took up swords with the king.
For then might we be
assured of victory.
For by their reluctance to pursue
this war with the intensity it demands...
...they have proved treacherous
both to our cause and to this nation.
Hear, hear.
If we beat the king 99 times...
...he will still be our king
and we his subjects.
If he beats us but once,
we shall all be hanged.
If that is so, then why
in the bowels of Christ...
...did we take up arms against him
in the first place?
Gentlemen...
...honest men
have served us faithfully...
...and many have died...
...that this House may sit in freedom
and this nation live in liberty.
In the name of God, I beseech you...
...do not desert them now.
Unless Parliament supports
this war to the full...
...I am bound to say, in all conscience,
that I will lay down my sword...
...and let this House
make its peace with the king...
...be that peace ever so base.
Then, it is for this House to decide.
I move that this House demands...
...the immediate resignation
of the high command...
...on the grounds that they be
no longer competent...
...to command the armed forces
of this Parliament.
Order. Order. Order!
The motion has been proposed.
Let it now be put to question.
- Those against Cromwell's motion.
- No!
- Those in favour of the motion.
- Aye!
The ayes have it.
The motion be carried.
I move...
I move that Colonel Cromwell
be appointed...
...commander in chief of the army.
Yeah!
Bristol. We must dispatch aid
to Bristol with all possible speed...
...for as long as Rupert holds Bristol,
this war be not lost.
General Digby, if you can detach
your forces in this area...
...and approach Bristol from the east...
To do that, my lord, would be
to expose this city to immediate attack.
Then we move
the Marquis of Huntly's army south.
The marquis, my lord, surrendered
to Cromwell's forces yesterday.
Cromwell. I hear nothing
but Cromwell, Cromwell.
My lord, it is but a game we play here...
...a game with wooden armies
and paper flags.
'Tis but a block of wood
you hold in your hand.
- My lords, all I ask for is a little time.
- Time, my lord, costs us heavily.
If we can hold on here
in Oxford for six weeks...
...the Scots have promised an army
of 20,000 men.
Her Majesty is in communication
with my cousin, the king of France...
...and I have good reason to hope
for support from Ireland.
An army from Ireland, Your Majesty?
I would as soon join forces
with Cromwell himself...
...as take up arms with the Catholics!
I am the king and defender
of my people...
...and I maintain the right to seek
relief from no matter what quarter.
As king, it is your duty
to defend the faith of this nation.
I do what I think to be right.
- Catholics as allies!
- It is unthinkable!
My God, if it has come to this...
...let us rather sue for an honourable
peace than fight a dishonourable war.
I will not countenance defeat.
Rather than abandon
my kingdom to Parliament...
...I would come to terms
with the devil himself.
Since you came
to the throne, Your Majesty...
...your armies have persistently
persecuted our Church in Ireland.
And yet, now that your need is great,
you turn to us for help.
The king's actions in Ireland,
Your Excellency...
...will seem as nothing should
these Puritans come to power.
It is not only the Crown of England
that is in peril, Excellency...
...all institutions of established order...
...throughout the countries
of Europe are threatened.
An Irish army of 20,000 men,
even 15,000...
...would forestall such a threat...
...and bring this wretched war
to a speedy end.
I am instructed to say
that His Holiness...
...would permit an Irish force
to take up arms in this country.
But there are certain conditions.
First, the Catholic Church in Ireland
must be completely restored...
...and permitted to practice freely
without interference or oppression.
Secondly, all Protestant churches
in Ireland must be closed...
...and all Protestant bishops
and ministers removed from office.
Oh, there are one or two other
minor conditions of little consequence.
What you demand, Excellency,
would be a betrayal...
...of my coronation oath
as head of the English Church.
You have a duty, Charles, to the Crown.
For without that,
you will be head of nothing!
May I tell His Holiness
that you will agree to these conditions?
You have something to say,
Sir Edward?
His Highness Prince Rupert
attends in the council chamber.
- Rupert? Here in Oxford?
- Yes, my lord.
I fear Bristol has fallen.
- Your Excellency will excuse me.
- Your Majesty.
My lords, His Majesty.
Do you not rise, sir,
when your king approaches?
Rise, sir! Or to your knees in shame.
You did give me
your most solemn promise...
...that you would hold Bristol
for four months.
You have not held it for four weeks!
You promised mountains,
yet you perform molehills.
You make a knave of your king.
My lord...
...we were besieged on all sides.
Our men were foot-weary from battle,
ailing with plague and sickness.
Yet you contrived
to escape with your life.
I have brought you an army, my lord.
An army 2000 strong, ready
and willing to fight on for their king!
In exchange for all the corn and stores
you held in Bristol and 200 cannon.
- That was the price of your freedom.
- I did what I considered to be right!
You deserted your command, sir.
I made a military decision.
A decision that may have
cost us this war.
Your action in this matter
is of such affliction to me, sir...
...that it is the greatest trial
that has yet befallen me.
My conclusion is...
...to desire you to seek subsistence
elsewhere, not in my kingdom.
Most gracious lord...
...I do not crave forgiveness,
for by all I hold most dear...
...I do solemnly swear
that I acted in good faith!
The matter is at an end.
I will hear no more.
My lord!
My lord, I beseech you.
In God's name, allow that I may die
with honour. Condemn me not to live.
Captain Lundsford.
Do not put upon these shoulders the
terrible shame of exile and dishonour.
I beg you, take my life,
most noble lord.
Good Uncle...
...for pity's sake!
His Highness is to be kept
under close guard...
...until such time as he is deported.
Very well, Your Majesty.
Father, Mother says I'm to go
with her tonight to France.
- Is that your wish, Father?
- Yes.
My duty is to stay here with you
and fight beside you.
Your place now is at
your mother's side, Charles.
You will help her raise money,
perhaps an army.
Should I meet death,
and you are safely in France...
...then England will still have,
in you, a lawful king.
You will go with your mother.
I love this land...
...and when this great responsibility
becomes yours...
...then I pray that with God's help...
...you will reign more happily
than I have done.
Now go, with God's speed
and your father's blessing.
Oh, Charles.
I love you.
Your Majesty, it is my most solemn
duty to place you under arrest.
- By whose command, sir?
- By the command of Parliament, sir.
I know of no authority in England
above that of the king.
It is upon that issue
that this war was fought.
- Whither am I to be taken?
- To London, sir.
- You must grant me a little time to...
- We leave for London at once.
- And my children, what of them?
- We will take care of your children.
His Majesty will have
all the time he requires.
As for your children, sir,
you may take them with you.
I thank you, sir.
Him serve with fear
His praise foretell
Come ye before him
And rejoice
The Lord ye know
Is God indeed
Without our aid
He did us mak e
We are his flock
General, John Pym is dead.
And for his sheep
He doth us tak e
- When did it happen?
- This morning.
- What is it?
- John Pym is dead.
Parliament is discussing
peace terms with the king.
Does the army have no say in this?
The army has been ordered to disband.
In God's name, did we fight this war...
...that the politicians should take over
behind our backs?!
If Parliament has decided
the army will disband...
...then the army will disband.
- I say we march on Parliament.
- The sword will not rule this land.
We fought to institute
a parliamentary system...
...and overthrow the very tyranny
which you now propose.
And who is talking to the king?
Parliament?
I doubt it. I warrant I know
who is doing all the talking.
I have these past three days been in
consultation with His Majesty the king.
And I am pleased to inform the House...
...that the king is now prepared
to discuss peace terms...
...provided that the army stand down.
I have given this House's assurance
that his wishes will be complied with.
Further, in recognition
of the very great debt...
...this House owes its commander,
General Cromwell...
...it is proposed to award him a pension
of 3000 pounds a year...
...together with certain estates
in the county of Cambridge.
It is further proposed that the sum
of 2000 pounds...
Such low treachery is not worthy
even of you, my Lord Manchester.
Am I to believe my ears?
Did this nation win a bloody civil war...
...in order the king
should dictate the terms of peace?
I have discussed the matter
at great length with His Majesty...
You have discussed it?
It is a matter for this House to discuss.
Hear, hear!
The king will not come to terms, sir,
until the army stand down.
Hear, hear.
And the army will not stand down
until the king comes to terms.
So if the king
will not talk to this House...
...then let the king talk to the army.
- Out of the question.
- The king would never agree.
Parliament is behind us, sir, and
on this occasion, we have the majority.
Sir Thomas Fairfax.
- He's bringing in the army!
- Order! Order!
Order, I say!
Order! Silence!
Order!
Silence!
Order!
I believe, my Lord Manchester,
that now I have the majority.
This is dictatorship.
It will mean a new civil war.
Order!
Honourable members...
...I swear before my God
that you give me no alternative.
When those liberties for which
this army and this nation...
...have fought so hard
are most solemnly guaranteed...
...then this army will stand down.
And upon that,
you have my most sacred promise.
- And who have we here?
- It is I, my lord.
You were supposed to have run,
not let me catch you.
I'm afraid I'm getting a little too old
for such games, my lord.
Cromwell is here to see you.
You must play on your own
now, children.
Your father has other games to play.
Prince Henry, you will be good enough
to give me back my hat.
Sir.
Gentlemen, His Majesty.
We came to present our terms, my lord.
If Your Majesty will be so kind
as to study these proposals.
- Has Parliament approved this treaty?
- Parliament no longer truly...
...represents the people of this nation,
Sir Edward.
And you, Mr. Cromwell...
...do you truly represent
the people of this nation?
I represent the army, sir...
...and the army is the heart
and conscience of the people.
So having failed to come
to terms with Parliament...
...you would now negotiate
with the king.
I am not bound
to negotiate with anyone.
With 50,000 men under my command...
...I could impose a government
on this nation overnight.
One is given to wondering,
Mr. Cromwell, why you do not do that.
I am convinced, my lord,
it be the duty of Parliament...
...to frame a constitutional government,
and not the army.
Then I do not see that
you have any need of me at all.
On the contrary, sir.
An England without a king
is unthinkable.
But withal, a king
that can command respect...
...a monarch who governs,
not from fear...
...but by the affection of a free people.
Such a king could reunite
this great nation of ours...
...and make the name of England
the noblest in all Christendom.
Should you adorn
that inheritance, my lord...
...all Englishmen would be proud
to call you king.
Mr. Cromwell, I do confess that
I did greatly misjudge you...
...for I did mark you
as an ambitious man.
To these ends, my lord,
I am ambitious.
Then you have my respect, sir.
Thank you, my lord.
- We shall return in the morning, sir.
- I shall require a little longer to study...
...this document. Perhaps a week.
As Your Majesty pleases.
I sincerely hope that our future
relations may be equally amiable, sir.
That is my hope also, my lord.
A cunning fellow.
- I believe him to be a sincere man.
- Indeed.
If these proposals be acceptable...
...there never was a crown
so nearly lost, so easily recovered.
Whatever these proposals
may be, Sir Edward...
...they are not acceptable to the king.
- Cromwell has betrayed us!
- Aye!
We have given our blood and our lives
in this war to put down this king!
If Cromwell
comes to terms with him now...
...what price our freedom then?
Get back, will you?!
I have served General Cromwell
faithfully all my life...
...and I reckoned him to be a man who
feared God and did honour his word!
But in this business he has shown
himself to be a man of no honour!
Aye!
We fought this war
to remove this king...
...not to put him back on the throne!
- Aye!
- I say, let us march on London...
...let us take Parliament...
...and then let the king
try to negotiate with us!
Make way for Cromwell.
Traitors! Mutineers!
I don't have to tell you, any of you,
you could all be hanged for this.
We are not serfs, general,
nor mercenaries.
We fought for the Lord in our cause,
and now we have a right to speak.
You have no rights
to preach revolt and mutiny.
As for you, John Carter, I did expect
a greater degree of loyalty from you.
I am still loyal to what I fought for.
Can the same be said of you?
I have not betrayed my God,
country, Parliament or my conscience.
Where was your conscience this day,
when you parleyed with the king?
I tell you, all of you...
...I do most honestly believe that we
have taught this king a lesson.
And he will prove most honourable.
Upon that I would stake my life.
Traitor! Traitor!
This is a military camp, sir,
not a debating chamber.
Under military law, any man inciting
mutiny can be hanged.
- Colonel Harrison?
- General.
These three men will draw lots.
One of them will be hanged.
- Captain Lancing, get a length of rope.
- Yes, sir.
- You, man, pick up some straws.
- Yes, sir
General, there is a Sir Edward Hyde
to see you.
Sir Edward, has the king
considered our terms?
The king, sir, has not
even read your terms.
Nor, will I venture,
has he any intention of so doing.
He has drawn up a secret treaty
with Manchester and Essex...
...to raise a Scottish army
against the Parliamentary forces.
He has already consented
to a Catholic army from Ireland.
While you negotiate
a settlement with him...
...he is planning a second civil war.
I do confess that I have these many
years given my allegiance to a man...
...not worthy of the title,
king of England.
Colonel Harrison!
I will have this king's head...
...aye, and the crown upon it.
This obstinate king,
this man of blood...
...whose heart God has hardened,
can no longer be trusted...
...for in prodigious treason,
he has revealed himself to be a traitor.
A man of no honour.
A man unfitted to bear the title,
king of England.
Hear, hear.
I demand, therefore,
in the name of the army...
...and the people of this nation
that Charles I, king of England...
...be brought hence to stand trial
for his life on a charge of treason.
Oyez, oyez, oyez.
All manner of persons...
...having anything to do
with this court...
...come forward
and give your attendance.
Every man to keep silence
upon pain of imprisonment.
God save the king.
Let the prisoner be brought in.
The clerk of arraigns
will read the charges.
Charles Stuart, king of England...
...you stand before this court
charged with high treason.
In that being admitted king of England,
and therein trusted with power...
...to govern according to the laws,
you did out of wickedness and design...
...erect and uphold in yourself
an unlimited and tyrannical power.
To rule at your will and overthrow
the rights and liberties of the people.
And that you did traitorously
and maliciously levy a cruel war...
...against Parliament and the people.
And are therefore guilty of all the
treasons, rapings, burnings, spoils...
...desolations, damages and mischiefs
to the nation committed in the said war.
Thus, on behalf
of the people of England...
...this court impeaches you
as a tyrant...
...traitor, murderer and public enemy
to the Commonwealth of England.
God save the king!
Silence!
Sir, you have heard
the charges against you.
The court expects an answer.
First, I would know by what authority,
I mean lawful authority...
...I am brought here and carried from
place to place, and I know not what.
And by what authority you presume
to sit in judgement on me.
Remember, I am your lawful king.
Think well upon it.
I have a trust committed to me by God,
by old and lawful descent.
Therefore, let me know by what
authority I am brought here...
...and I shall answer.
It is not for the prisoner
to question the court.
I am no ordinary prisoner, sir.
An answer, sir,
the court demands an answer.
Then I refuse an answer.
Sir, you are before a court of justice.
Well, sir...
...I see that I am before a power.
The court will keep silent.
Mr. Solicitor General,
are your witnesses prepared?
- They are, my lord.
- Then let them be brought forth.
Call Sir Edward Hyde.
And you saw the king and his wife
alone in their chambers...
...with this Catholic Archbishop
Rinuccini?
I did.
And what did you assume
was the purpose of this meeting?
- You are obliged to answer, Sir Edward.
- To raise an Irish army, my lord.
To fight against
the Parliamentary forces?
And at this time, was the king
in communication...
...with any other foreign power?
Yes. Yes, with the king of France
and with the Dutch.
- For the same purpose?
- Yes.
To raise a foreign army
to invade this country...
...and to perpetuate the war
against the people of this kingdom.
Sir Edward?
Yes.
To the block with him!
Sir, throughout the three days
of this hearing...
...this court has patiently awaited
your pleasure...
...to hear what you have to say
in answer to charges against you.
Yet you have declined to speak.
I am most willing, sir,
to answer before Parliament...
...but not before this assembly...
...whose authority
I refuse to acknowledge.
Sir, what answers you may offer
the commons can be given here.
For this court does sit
in the name of the House of Commons.
Sir, if, as you have said, you do love
the liberty of the subject...
...you will grant me, your king,
a hearing before Parliament...
...which is the lords and commons
assembled.
Sir, I submit you seek only to delay
the course of justice.
By your favour, sir,
I seek only those rights...
...which, as your king,
I would grant any one of my subjects.
Silence!
Sir, this court requires to know
if you have anything to say...
...before judgement is passed
upon you.
I have nothing to say to you.
Then this court
will retire to judgement.
What ails thee? Art thou mad?
Have we come thus far
that you would betray us now?
There is nothing in the Constitution
of this land that entitles us...
...to bring a king to trial.
- Is he answerable to his subjects?
- The trial is clearly illegal, and l...
- Is not he answerable to his subjects?
The king, sir,
is answerable only to God.
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?
This tired, sickening man,
this country oaf...
...crude in speech and manner?
This rough fellow...
...does he display the bearing
of a king?
- You are the one man who can govern.
- In the name of God...
...did we cut the head off this king
only to steal his crown?
This hollow golden ring,
this worthless trinket.
Give it to a whore,
for the price of her bed!
If you would find a head to fit it,
let it adorn some court jester...
...or some strolling player
that he may play your king, but not I.
Power must be absolute,
or it be no power at all.
It was not for power that we did this.
Have you not understood that yet?
Now, Ireton, mark me,
and mark me well.
That you be hard-set upon courses
has not escaped me...
...and if you seek to use me
towards such ends...
...though I love you like a brother,
I swear, I will destroy you.
Every freeborn Englishman be he
the lowest of the lowest...
...is entitled to a voice
in the governing of this country.
But there is no vote for the poor,
for the underprivileged...
...no vote for all those
who took up arms...
...to put down the very autocracy that
this Parliament now imposes upon us.
You did not vote this Parliament
into office.
This gaggle of buffoons, these villains!
Much has been said in this House
about the so-called inequity...
...of certain members being financially
involved in national projects.
Members have ascribed to this state
of affairs dark and sinister motives.
I say if we in Parliament
cannot gain from ruling the country...
...there's really very little point
in our being here at all.
No member of this House should be
permitted to profit from office.
Hear! Hear!
If this House knew its duty,
it would terminate...
...and let a new Parliament be elected.
- Order!
- Gentlemen, I move that this House...
...be given power to remain in office a
further three years without re-election.
A committee of inquiry should be set
up to investigate...
...the financial involvement
of certain members.
Order!
Mr. Speaker. May I have your
permission to address this assembly?
By all means, sir.
My lords, honourable members...
...I have always desired, above my life,
a free Parliament...
...sitting by the authority
of the good people of this nation.
A Parliament open and visible,
to be seen by all men.
It is six years since I handed over
to you this great responsibility...
...in the hope that you would make
good and wholesome laws...
...which the people of this nation
expected of you.
I must confess to some abatement
of my hopes...
...for what has happened
in my absence.
Instead of uniting the good people
of this nation...
...with righteousness and peace...
...which would have been a glorious
and Christian thing to have done...
...what do I find?
Anarchy, corruption...
...division and dissatisfaction.
I say that the enemies of this nation...
...have flourished
under your protection.
You were from the beginning
a provisional government...
...not truly representative
of the people.
For have the people elected you?
Has this House gone once
to the people it purports to represent?
No, it has not! And after six years
of misgovernment, what do we find?
Sir Thomas Fairfax moves a bill
to give this House a further lease...
...of its worthless
and dishonourable life!
Gentlemen, an immovable Parliament
is more obnoxious...
...than an immovable king!
You are drunkards, tricksters,
villains, whoremasters...
...godless, self-seeking,
ambitious tricksters.
You are no more capable of conducting
the nation's affairs...
...than you are of running a brothel!
You are scum, sir.
And not truly elected scum at that.
This is no Parliament.
I shall put an end to it.
I hereby declare this Parliament
dissolved!
- Colonel Harrison!
- Yes, sir. Troops forward!
Rubbish.
- Remove them!
- Come on, get them out.
This is dictatorship, sir! Dictatorship!
Dictator! Dictatorship!
- This is illegal!
- Come, sir.
- I refuse to quit this chair.
- By your leave, sir.
Away with this bauble!
I seem to recall
that we cut off a king's head...
...for such as this.
You are a traitor, sir. It is the likes of
you who have turned my hand to this.
I have sought the Lord's guidance
night and day in this matter.
It is not idly done,
for this nation will be justly governed.
I will give this nation back
its self-respect.
We will walk in this world
with our heads held high.
I will liberate man's souls
from the darkness of ignorance.
I will build schools
and universities for all.
This will become
the golden age of learning.
I will bring the law within the reach
of every common man.
There'll be work and bread for all.
This nation will prosper
because it is a godly nation...
...and because we walk hand in hand
with the Lord.
I swear by the name of the living God...
...that I will see this nation...
...properly governed...
...if I have to do it myself.
Dear God,
give me the strength to do it...
...alone.
Oliver Cromwell ruled the nation
as lord protector for five years.
In that short time, he raised England
to be a great power...
... feared and respected
throughout the world.
Under his hand
were laid the foundations...
... of a truly democratic nation.
In 1658, he died.
Three years later, Charles,
prince of Wales, was crowned king...
... and a monarch sat once more
upon the throne of England.
But an England
never to be the same again.