Reign Season 1 quotes

We have positioned ourselves for the worst kind of pain.

I don't care what you learn, as long as you don't forget.

Not with you to remind me.

Men must find something to kill from time to time.

Sebastian

You're talking about changing the line of succession. And that's the kind of talk that gets bastards - and mistresses - beheaded.

Tell me when you want me to stop.

Never.

History is written by survivors, and I am surely that.

Accept that I have lost. I have.

Nostradamus

All images of Francis' death are tied to your union. You will be blamed for the death of the Queen's firstborn. You will blame yourself, most of all. I see Francis, barely older than he is now, cold to your touch. You are wed but childless. Alone at this court without a friend to comfort you.

Queen Catherine

Women don't often say no, to Henry. When they do he thinks it's a game. It usually is. But Mary isn't your usual girl. She is Scotland. She is its queen.

All right then. Let's negotiate. As leaders. Shall we start with your desire to protect Bash? You're fond of him, aren't you?

Mary

Aren't you? He's your son. He was protecting me. Bash did nothing wrong.

And you, you shared a bed with him. There are witnesses.

Mary

They're lying. But go ahead, ruin me. I could give a damn about my reputation in France.

In Scotland?

Mary

They will believe their queen.

A queen with blood on her hands who let her lover die? Sebastian ran off with the future king's fiancée. Destroying an alliance between our countries.

Mary

Don't do this.

You want to be treated like a ruler? Someone who can say no? Do you need lives at stake to take this seriously?

Queen Catherine

Henry, you wouldn't.

You'll marry my son Francis and accept our nation's support, as you and your new husband, lay claim to England. Or I will execute my son, my subject Bash, for the treason of costing me England. You can watch him bleed to death on your wedding altar.

I could tell it wasn't worth but two chickens. But when I went to milk the goat, she was dry as dust. And this liar took four of my chickens, good laying chickens, in trade. I deserve them chickens back.

My Lord Regent... the good man is speaking to you. He seeks the crown's judgment.

(Sitting up straighter) So sorry, Lord Hugo. My judgment. My judgment is that I have no way of knowing what this other man promised or didn't. But I know that if you had tried to milk that goat before you took her, there'd be no issue.

So, we'll have no satisfaction?

I suppose not. Unless you eat the goat and the taste delights you. (laughs)

Catherine tried to poison me once. You could tell them that in court.

No one cares, Kenna.

That part’s true.

Queen Catherine

My dear Henry is only interested in offenses against himself. (To guards): Aren't you supposed to wait outside the door, so I can conduct my defense privately? (To Kenna) Off with you, child. You've killed me enough for one day.

Did you miss me?

Queen Catherine

This is judicial murder, Henry. We all know how this plays out when a king tries to cast off a queen.

I’ll have a line of witnesses to your adultery a mile long, all eager to say whatever I want them to say. Nobles, servants, stable boys, the man who clips the hedges in the garden, it doesn’t matter. Twist and squirm all you want; you can’t outlast them, because I’ll have another, and another.

Queen Catherine

All to wed Mary to your bastard son, and get her to stake her claim to the English throne. It won’t look good, Henry.You’re doing all this for England. You’re killing me for England. When you go back to the Vatican all set to legitimize Bash, you need to give them a fig leaf. You need the appearance of fairness. So that you and the Pope don’t look like the power-hungry bastards you are.

I marvel that you could have been brought up at court and still understand it so poorly. For a royal, there's no such thing as safety.

I realize the notion of my being king disappoints you, Lord Hugo.

It did once. But not anymore.

I'm head of the king's Privy Council for two reasons: I know how to manage men and I know how to pick the winning side. In light of recent events; the queen's pending execution and Francis's continuing absence from court... that side is yours.

How lucky I am to have such steadfast support.

If steadfast is what you require, there's only one way to achieve it. Factions need a flag to rally behind, and every young prince with a claim to the throne is another flag. But, if those flags were taken away... perhaps permanently ....

Mary

Are you suggesting... killing the boys?!

I would never presume to make such a suggestion. Those boys are the king's own blood. You asked about safety. This morning's attack was mild.

We are aware of that and share your concern.

There are plots being set on both sides, no doubt... and with deadlier consequences. Sooner or later, blood will be spilled. It's just a matter of whose. Yours and Mary's... or another's.

Nostradamus

They have children, as he is alive.

Queen Catherine

Children? [Catherine becomes emotional]

Queen Catherine

You see them years beyond their union?

Nostradamus

Yes. [Catherine becomes overcome with emotions and puts her hands into prayer thanking God] Use this to save yourself. Tell Henry you've had a change of heart. That you won't stand in the way of their union.

Queen Catherine

This has gone so far beyond me standing in the way of anything. I am convicted of adultery! Of treason! Mary is with Sebastian. And my son Francis...

Nostradamus

...Has returned to court.

Queen Catherine

[Annoyedly] You are brave to come to me with this. Because if I can't convince Mary to wed Francis, if I can't undo your mistakes, I will lose my head. But not before I watch you burned to death. I promise you that.

You're very quiet. Are you warm enough?

Queen Mary

(Chuckles) I just wish that we could go back to two months ago, do it all over. Me in my wedding gown, walking down the aisle to you at Notre Dame.

But instead, we have to come back to reality. That's what you're thinking.

Queen Mary

(Sighs) Politics, backstabbing, murder. Just another day at French Court. Francis, can we turn around and go back to the country house at Anet? Everything we felt there alone, far away from Court. Somehow, our love seems so fragile suddenly.

Things are different now... we're married, the future King and Queen. My mother is no longer an obstacle.

Queen Mary

Mhm...

Nostradamus's prophecy no longer a threat. And Bash is far away in Spain.

Queen Mary

I hope he's safe, and that he finds happiness.

Is that blood? Did the Blood Cult do this? Rowan, tell me the truth.

It means my family has been chosen. One of us will be sacrificed to the Darkness.

These beliefs, these misguided terrors, they've threatened others I've known and cared about. I won't let anyone hurt you or your family. Whatever it is, we have to fight.