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Victoria must decide whether to fight the Chartists with force, or allow them to present their petition.

Drama series about the early reign of Queen Victoria.

Primary Title
  • Victoria
Episode Title
  • London Bridge is Falling Down
Date Broadcast
  • Sunday 31 May 2020
Start Time
  • 22 : 40
Finish Time
  • 23 : 35
Duration
  • 55:00
Series
  • 3
Episode
  • 2
Channel
  • TVNZ 1
Broadcaster
  • Television New Zealand
Programme Description
  • Drama series about the early reign of Queen Victoria.
Episode Description
  • Victoria must decide whether to fight the Chartists with force, or allow them to present their petition.
Classification
  • PGR
Owning Collection
  • Chapman Archive
Broadcast Platform
  • Television
Languages
  • English
Captioning Languages
  • English
Captions
Live Broadcast
  • No
Rights Statement
  • Made for the University of Auckland's educational use as permitted by the Screenrights Licensing Agreement.
Subjects
  • Television programs--United Kingdom
  • Great Britain--History--Victoria, 1837-1901
  • Queens--Great Britain
Genres
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • History
# Hallelujah # Gloriana # Hallelujah # Gloriana, # hallelujah # Hallelujah! # www.able.co.nz Able 2019 (HUBBUB) (PEOPLE CHANT) Vive la republic! Vive la republic! (VICTORIA CRIES OUT) Is Mama going to die? If she does, you'll be king and you'll have a crown and everybody will curtsy to you, Bertie. BERTIE: Why do I have to be king? -You just do. -But you're older than me. Yes, but you're a boy. But Mama isn't a boy. Don't you know anything? It's called pri-mo-geniture, Bertie. They only make a girl queen if they can't find anybody else. (WHISPERS) What are you two doing out of bed? Come along! -(VICTORIA SCREAMS) -(CROWD YELLS) Get back! -(VICTORIA SCREAMS) -Shhh. Screaming won't make it come any faster. -(BANG!) -(MOB SHOUTS) Are we safe? Go! I will take care of Victoria. -Go! -(VICTORIA MOANS) Please, God. Don't let Mama die. I want guards right round the perimeter of the Palace. Everywhere. -Is that understood? -Yes, Your Royal Highness. Good. One of them was in a... (SPEAKS FRENCH) (LAUGHS) A swing! (DUKE CHARLES LAUGHS) A swing! By all that's splendid! Don't you think, Alfred? Mon cher, please! Come and join us. Sir, I...I thought the King would be safer here. Gambling? At a time like this! Life is a game of chance. Maybe I will lose this hand as well. Sir, the Queen is asking for you. -I believe the moment has come. -ALBERT: Thank you. What are you doing here? Uh, as a member of the Privy Council, I am required to attend a royal birth to make sure it's the genuine article. (WHISPERS) Then why are you playing cards with Louis Philippe? You know the Prince loathes this kind of thing. Oh, what a courtier you've become, my dear. -Monmouth. -(MONMOUTH LAUGHS) VICTORIA: Albert! ALBERT: The mob has dispersed. (SCREAMS) O'CONNOR: The rioting cannot continue. Our movement will only succeed if we have the support of respectable people. We must stay within the law. Do you really think a few signatures and pretty banners are gonna make the Prime Minister say, "Come in, why don't you? "Universal franchise - what a splendid idea!" A revolution without teeth cannot bite. What's happened to you? Oh, don't look at me like that, Abigail. I wanna be a free man. One worthy of a woman like you. -(GURGLES) -ALBERT: Mmm. -Oh, hello. -(FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) I apologise, Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, but I couldn't keep them away a moment longer. This one's quite pretty for an infant. Better than the last one, anyway. I am glad you're not dead, Mama. (LYTTELTON CLEARS THROAT) Dear Mama and Papa, we have come to welcome our new baby sister. Ah! Oh! How is my... little niece? Ohh! Such a flower. I wonder what they will call you, my kleine Madchen. We're going to name her after someone. Who has a very special place in this family. Albert's mother. Meet Princess Louise. Hmm! Ja. (DRAMATIC MUSIC) -What was that? -The baby must have come. Yet another royal mouth to feed when children are starving. Duke! Is this really necessary? The Queen is still weak after her ordeal. I can assure you, sir, I wouldn't be here unless the necessity were not of the gravest. The Prime Minister and Palmerston are also on their way. RUSSELL: May I congratulate you, ma'am, on behalf of your government and apologise for intruding at this time. But our intelligence suggests that hundreds of thousands of Chartists will attempt to deliver their so-called People's Charter any day now. If this gathering were to... get out of hand... They must be contained south of the river. There have been riots already. Great crowds like this, I can't answer for what could happen. But I understood the Chartists to be a peaceful movement. You call throwing bricks through your window peaceful? I believe that protest was directed against the French king. RUSSELL: The Duke wants to station troops on the bridges. Cavalry and artillery, ma'am. Let them know we mean it. ALBERT: It should never have come to this. We have failed these people. PALMERSTON: Do we have permission to mobilise the troops, ma'am? I... I don't think it's...necessary. Liebes... WELLINGTON: It is the only way of defending Parliament and the Palace, ma'am. Perhaps you don't quite understand what these Chartists have in mind. Actually, Lord Palmerston, I have spoken with a Chartist. Can you say the same? With respect, ma'am, one conversation doesn't make one an expert. Please remember you are speaking to the Queen. PALMERSTON: Beg your pardon. I allowed my anxiety to eclipse my good manners. You must give the order to mobilise the troops, ma'am. To use soldiers to disrupt a peaceful movement seems to me the height of folly! I cannot and I will not condone it. And I will not sign the order. MAN: Alright, move! -Alright, everyone, get back! -Stand back there! What is this? What right do you have to come in here? Did you know anything about the guns? Why? Because I'm Irish? - No. - POLICEMAN: Patrick Fitzgerald, I'm arresting you on a charge of treason. -Let him go! Let him go! -Come on. Believe me when I say I never expected to meet a woman like you. * FRANCATELLI: We own a hotel. NANCY: You've done it? Without telling me. The owner's scared stiff of the Chartists, so he agreed to lower the price. (SIGHS) I wish you'd asked me first. (LAUGHS) And what would you have said if I had? "The Queen needs me. "I can't abandon her in her hour of need." Special licence. You know I can't be married. I'll have to resign. You will, yes. I want to start a real life, Nancy. Tomorrow, 3:00, St Bride's. I'll be there. Uh, the Queen has only agreed to see her Prime Minister. Banished? From the garden of Eden? Or maybe not. VICTORIA: Rifles? RUSSELL: Enough to arm a regiment. This is not a peaceful protest. I'm afraid there is no choice, ma'am. If the Chartists are going to protest, we must put troops on the streets. (WHIMSICAL MUSIC) (MUTTERS IN GERMAN) (PALMERSTON SPEAKS GERMAN) You speak German! French and Italian. I like to understand who I'm dealing with. I sometimes have to remind myself that you're Foreign Secretary. And what is diplomacy but a balancing act? Prime Minister. (VICKY SPEAKS FRENCH) (LOUIS PHILIPPE SPEAKS FRENCH) Papa calls me his philosopher princess. Of course, you English were the first people to get rid of your king. What happened to him? They cut off his head. But with an axe. (MAKES CUTTING NOISE) Are they going to cut off your head, Mama? King Louis says that's what they do in France when they have a revolution. Madame La Guillotine cuts off their heads and holds them up by their hair. It seems His Majesty was rather colourful in his language. Vicky, Bertie, come here. Come here. Do you think I would let anyone hurt Mama? No. -Or any of us, for that matter? -No. But do you have a sword, Papa? (WHISPERS) Bertie! (VICTORIA GROANS) Victoria, it's too soon. You must rest. Come here... Come here. You frightened my children! (CHUCKLES) I gave them a little lesson in French history. -I'm sure they will recover. -No, no, no. We invited you here against the advice of our own ministers, my own misgivings, and this is how you repay us. Your children need to know that life is uncertain. Even here in England. Nothing will happen to my children. I hope you're right. Your presence here... ..is a provocation. Then I must not outstay my welcome. I have nowhere else to go. But of course that is of no matter. Such a look of the Prince she has, ma'am. The, um... The seamstress. The...the Chartist. -Abigail? -Abigail. Abigail told me the Chartists loved their queen. She was wrong. And now I need soldiers to defend me from my own people. When I was a little girl, I made a promise to myself, Skerrett, that I would be not just a queen, but a great queen... ..whose reign would be... ..remembered as a glorious one. Now there are no cheers for me, only for Lord Palmerston. Why don't they understand he only cares about his own glory? A London crowd would cheer anyone who gave them free beer. Forgive me, ma'am. A queen doesn't need to curry favour. But I want them to love me. I want them to love me. Otherwise, what is the point? Thank you. What will they do to Patrick, Mr O'Connor? Well, if he's found guilty of treason, they'll... hang him. But he told me he had nothing to do with the guns, and I believe him. Even if he put them there, where would he find the money to buy 500 rifles? So you believe Patrick's innocent? I don't know, but I do know the government is frightened by the power of the people. -(DOG BARKS) -MAN: Whoa, there! Whoa, there! Whoa! DRIVER: Get that nag out of the way, man! (MEN SHOUT) Trouble ahead, sir. Gentlemen, get out. -It's Palmerston! -Yeah, Palmerston! May I be of assistance? Drink. Thank you. (COUGHS) Are you sure you aren't hurt? I think my bonnet is my only casualty. And my pride, of course, Lord Palmerston. Well, I like nothing more than ministering to a duchess in distress. -Have there been so many? -None. More...charming than yourself. You've got quite a little collection. Oh, they're for my son. He, uh... He misses me. Well, who could blame him? But it is too dangerous to go anywhere today and I would like to know that you're safe. -(KNOCKS) -DRIVER: Get on, then. Oh! I just went and got some milk. Just like a chocolate milkshake, only crunchy! Who won the race to the shop? BOTH: I did. * ALBERT: Are you sure this will be necessary, Duke? The troops are on the bridges, but if the Chartists do get across the river... ..we must be prepared. They must know that we will not tolerate insurrection. Yes, but the Chartists must be allowed to know that their cause is not a hopeless one. They then need a turnip. Oh, that is not correct. They need a carrot as well as a stick. Perhaps, but my priority now - is to keep the Queen safe. - Well, there we are in agreement, Duke. As soon as the Queen can travel, we shall be leaving for Osborne. And, uh, I hope that that French gentleman... ..will be leaving London too. There we're also in agreement. He shall not be spending one more night at the Palace. SOPHIE: He was most kind. And, of course, when the people saw him, they were ready to help set things straight. VICTORIA: I see. Please tell him I wish to see him. Yes, ma'am. -But I thought that... -No. No, I don't like him. But that doesn't... (SIGHS) Feo, I don't expect you to understand. You've never been in my position. No, it is true. But I know what it's like to be threatened by a mob and live in a small country surrounded by enemies. Langenburg is hardly the same as England. How would you know? Whose fault is that? You're the one who left. You didn't even come to my wedding. - Did it ever occur to you I couldn't afford it? - Well, if you'd asked, I... What, beg money from my little sister? No, I wouldn't expect you to understand. After all, you have never been in my position. (FOOTSTEPS RECEDE) You must pardon my appearance, Your Majesty. Lord Alfred said you wanted to see me at once. I believe, Lord Palmerston, you have... quite a following. I think the people know what I stand for, ma'am. The guns that were found. Do you really think they meant to use them against me? I think it's a possibility. That's why we're taking every precaution. Am I really so unpopular? My brother-in-law, Lord Melbourne, used to say that the Great British public isn't known for its logic, ma'am. Lord M? He also said it was the greatest privilege of his life to serve as your Prime Minister. Would he have advised me to sign that order? Setting... troops against my own people? I think he would have said that your safety is more important than your popularity, ma'am. And the sooner that you and your family are safely out of harm's way, the better. (PEOPLE CHATTER NEARBY) PALMERSTON: Your Majesty. Ah, Feo! I think it is time I went back to Langenburg. ALBERT: Leave? Now? Why? I hoped so much to be of some use, but... ..I cannot stay where I'm not wanted. Oh, well, I'm not sure Victoria knows exactly what she wants. She is often... volatile after giving birth. Do stay. Oh, um... ..where is she? She was in the garden with Lord Palmerston. Palmerston? How strange. My love? (SIGHS) You alright? Did Lord Pilgerstein upset you? I keep thinking about the day of my accession. All those old men looking down at me and frowning as if... (SIGHS) ..as if it was all a dreadful mistake. And then I went out on to the balcony and... ..I heard it. I heard the sound of my people... ..cheering. I knew then what it meant... ..to be a queen. It's been the bass note that anchors all the...noise around me. It's gone. Albert, it's... -It's gone! -No. No, no. You are tired. Victoria. You are not seeing things correctly. Albert, those guns were meant to kill me. Which is why we are going to Osborne as soon as you are... No, no, Albert. They will call me a coward. All that matters, Victoria, is that you and the children are safe. I know I am being selfish, but to me, you are the note... ..that anchors me to this world. And I will do anything to keep you safe from harm. You are far away, ma chere. I am sorry to disturb you, but I have come to say goodbye. - Do you regret leaving France? - (LAUGHS) Oh! Bien sur! France is the only civilised country in the world. (SIGHS) But I would rather live among savages than meet Madame La Guillotine. We're going to...Osborne in the morning. And you think that makes you like me. A coward. Listen to me. Life is more important than a crown. Where will you go? Durrants Hotel. It is well appointed, I believe. No. No, no, no. That will never do. I'll tell Uncle Leopold to lend you Claremont. It's out of London and suitable for a king. Remember, you have your family, ma chere. (FEODORA PLAYS ELEGANT PIECE) (STOPS PLAYING) Albert says you're thinking of leaving. Ja. I think that would be better. You, uh... You have no room for me. I was... ..unkind before. (TEARFULLY) All I want is to help you. And you know you can always trust me. Absolutely. I think perhaps I'm... not used to having a sister. (SNIFFLES) But I don't want you to leave, Feo. (SOBS) Oh, Drina! Oh, you have no idea how happy that makes me. Then it's settled. You will come to Osborne in the morning. SOPHIE: I must go. I have to make arrangements for my son while I'm in Osborne. But the streets are not safe. You must have an escort. Joseph, please see the Duchess gets home safely. Lady Portman. Yes, of course they speak English on the Isle of Wight. VICKY: I'm going to take my atlas of the heavens. Then we can look at the stars together, Papa, can't we? -That's mine! -Uh, Bertie. Bertie! Apologise to your sister. Sorry. How he reminds me of you at that age, Drina! ALBERT: While we are in Osborne, I think perhaps we shall have to teach you how to behave like a future king. Bertie doesn't want to be king. He thinks that I would do it better. And I would, wouldn't I? 'Scuse me. Are you holding Mr Patrick Fitzgerald? There's no-one here by that name. Now, could you move away from the station? Patrick! But what are you doing here? I...I've been looking everywhere. I... I thought... (ENGLISH ACCENT) My name's Inspector Daubeny. And I assure you I've never seen you before in my life. ABIGAIL: What are you talking about? But your finger. It's missing. How perceptive of you. Now, if you'll excuse me. Please don't go away, Mama. I hate it when you aren't here. And I hate leaving you too, but I promise I will write to you every day. But I'm not very good at reading. -(FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) -JOSEPH: Your Grace. You left these in the carriage. I thought they might be of use. Yes. Look, William. I have a present for you. Now I have enough for a real battle! -(BOTH IMITATE GUNFIRE) -MONMOUTH: Ah, Duchess! No wonder our son is falling behind in his lessons when you insist on indulging him in his childish pastimes. We were just saying goodbye. Please don't go away, Mama. MONMOUTH: Stop snivelling. Go to your room. I think it's an excellent thing you're going to Osborne. Maybe the custom among the grocer class is to mollycoddle their sons, but William will be a duke one day. You, get the Duchess's carriage. I don't want to be king, Mama. (SIGHS) I know, darling. Come here. Do you know what 'destiny' means? It means that there is something in your life you must do. And my destiny, and yours... ..is to rule this country. (WHISPERS) Think of it as a little flame inside you. Nothing can put it out, Bertie. Vicky's better at numbers. Doesn't matter. Aunt Feo is better at everything than me. But it is your destiny to be king. I think you'll be a great one. (CHURCH BELL RINGS) (FOOTSTEPS) I'm here! And I've brought someone to give me away. BRODIE: "Let me not to the marriage of true minds..." FRANCATELLI: Thank you, Brodie. VICAR: I, Nancy, take thee, Charles... I, Nancy, take thee, Charles to be my wedded husband. ..to have and to hold from this day forward. FRANCATELLI: With this ring, I thee wed. With my body, I thee worship. For richer, for poorer. In sickness and in health. To love, cherish and to obey till death us do part. VICAR: In the presence of God, Charles and Nancy have given their consent and made their marriage vows to each other. I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife. (NANCY LAUGHS) I have to speak to the Queen. At once. NANCY: Well, I can't just take you in to see the Queen. Why would she want to see you? Where I come from, we speak as we find. So you can believe me when I say this is a matter of life and death. VICTORIA: An agent? Why would anyone do such a thing? I think to make it look like the Chartists mean revolution. VICTORIA: And they don't? All we want is the Charter, ma'am. If there are soldiers on the streets and cannons on every bridge, then people get to thinking that it's a battle. But you said the Chartists weren't violent. If we're attacked, we won't run away, ma'am. You can't talk to the Queen like that. It's alright, Skerrett. I don't think you meant to be rude. No, ma'am. (KISSES FABRIC) I know you want what's best for your people, ma'am. Every day, there's a new reason why we cannot leave. VICTORIA: What if she's right, Albert, and the guns were put there by somebody else? Victoria, I know that this distresses you, but who would do such a thing? It makes no sense. If someone wanted to discredit the Chartists... Look at the facts. On the one hand, we have the story of a seamstress. On the other hand, we have rifles. I think that we have to accept the truth, Victoria, however unwelcome it may seem. (KNOCKS SOFTLY) -(ECHOING CRASH) -MAN: Vive la republic! (PEOPLE CHATTER) * Men will be stationed on every bridge. We cannot let these ruffians come near Parliament or the Palace. The future of this country... ..lies in your hands. Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! (DRAMATIC MUSIC) (CROWD SINGS INDISTINCTLY) WELLINGTON: You will be travelling in the opposite direction to the Chartists. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary will accompany us to the bridge. Once you have crossed Waterloo Bridge, we will make sure that no-one comes the other way. My troops have their orders. The Chartists will not cross the river. ALBERT: Waterloo Bridge. I hope that is a good omen, Duke. (ALL SING) # God, your creator, made you free... # Why are there so many soldiers? SOLDIER: Get away. Go! -Let go of me! -Get away! (DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES) Stop the carriage. Albert, stop the carriage. Stop the carriage! DRIVER: Whoa. Whoa. I need to get out. I have changed my mind, Duke. WELLINGTON: A woman's prerogative, ma'am. VICTORIA: The Chartists must be able to present their petition to Parliament. WELLINGTON: I think that that is unwise, ma'am. If we let them over the bridge, there will be no stopping them. -We don't know that, Duke. -PALMERSTON: But we do, ma'am. How many rifles were found at Kennington Hall? Was it 400 or was it 500? I assume that rifles are costly items, Duke. I wonder then how Chartists, who are working men, could afford so many. You see, I don't find it at all unlikely that the rifles could have been put there by... ..parties... ..anxious to prove the Chartists guilty. The petition must go ahead. As you wish, ma'am. How the devil did she find out? Perhaps you're not the only one with the popular touch, Henry. (PEOPLE SING) # God, your creator, made you free... # (MUSIC INTENSIFIES) (MUSIC CONTINUES) SOLDIER: Take aim! Prepare to fire! WELLINGTON: Sergeant! Let them pass. -(EXHALES) -Company, ground arms! Company, withdraw! (BOTH SING) # London Bridge is falling down # Falling down, falling down... # (TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS) I can't wait to see Mr Penge's face when you tell him. No, not a word. I don't want anyone to know yet. Not until the Queen is safe. A honeymoon in the Isle of Wight! (CHILDREN CHATTER) VICKY: Mama! Papa! Look at this! (CHILDREN LAUGH) Come with me. I want to show you something. What is it? It's, um, Hercules, the hero, being held in bondage by Queen Omphale. So instead of killing lions... ..he is helping her spin. I bought it so that I can lie in the bath and, um, think of you. But Osborne is your kingdom, Albert. FEODORA: Forgive me for disturbing you. This came. It's from the Duke. The Chartists delivered their petition. Without incident. Then you were right, Liebes. - It seems the English people are not revolutionary. - I should have been there, Albert! Excuse me. I should have been there! -(FEODORA SIGHS) -(DOOR SLAMS) She will feel better soon. I hope so. We can take care of her. Together. (DRAMATIC MUSIC) SONG: # Hallelujah www.able.co.nz Able 2019 # Gloriana # Hallelujah # Gloriana # Hallelujah # Hallelujah. #
Subjects
  • Television programs--United Kingdom
  • Great Britain--History--Victoria, 1837-1901
  • Queens--Great Britain