Waleran quotes from The Pillars of the Earth

There are whispers. The shipwreck was quite convenient.

Waleran

Rumours born of jealousy, Your Eminence. What happened was ordained by God. It's to the Church's benefit that no one survived.

Waleran

So becoming Prior of Kingsbridge would satisfy your ambition? Well, be direct, Philip. As the bishop's representative I can sway the election. If that's what you want from me, say so.

[Chuckles] Yes.

Waleran

Good, good. But politics is a bargain between beggars. When the bishop dies here, the monks here elect the new one.

So if you make me prior, I, when the time comes, make you bishop?

Waleran

You really want to rebuild your church, huh?

Yes, Father, I do. The cathedral is God's shadow over history, Father. We... we live in a world that is striving for order, which is art, which is learning, which is people creating something that will bring God's heart into their community, that will survive wars and famine, that will survive history.

Waleran

I thought I was ambitious.

Waleran

God is on your side.

King Stephen

Then why hasn't He put Maud and her bastard brother down? They're approaching Lincoln now. If they take that city, they'll effectively cut my kingdom in half. Why does God continually turn His back upon my cause?

Waleran

I cannot answer for God, but perhaps it is not you who displeases Him. There are others in your kingdom.

King Stephen

Others? Name them.

Waleran

There is a prior in Kingsbridge. You met him once.

William

I'm the earl! I'm the rightful earl! Richard lost that claim when his father lost his head!

Waleran

Getting soldiers is all the king cares about. Raise an army to finish Maud, he'll give you whatever you want.

Regan Hamleigh

Easily said, but where do we get the means to do it? The market at Kingsbridge sucks the money out of Shiring. Kingsbridge gets the rents, the taxes, business...

Waleran

Close the market.

Regan Hamleigh

How? The king has licensed it!

Waleran

Oh yes. Unfortunately, he has.

Regan Hamleigh

What?

Waleran

If I close the market for you, will you close the quarry for me?

Regan Hamleigh

The only way to close the quarry involves bloodshed. Innocent lives shall be lost. My son shall burn in hell for your sins.

Waleran

That's why you've been a reluctant enforcer, William?

William

Mother's always been afraid of fire. But the fires of hell are eternal.

Waleran

[Grabbing his bible and cross] On your knees. Are you sorry for all the lives taken by your sword in the past and in the future?

William

Oh yes.

Waleran

Ego Te absolvo. Do what you must.

Waleran

It's forbidden to run a market without a license from the king.

But we have a license.

Waleran

May I see it?

(Searches for it, frustrated] Ah, it's been stolen.

Waleran

The Sheriff has no record of it.

Then he's a liar.

Waleran

I think you are the liar, Philip. As of next month, the market moves to Shiring.

Waleran

If you wish Maud to make your son Earl of Shiring, I need to successfully trade Stephen with Gloucester.

Regan Hamleigh

I'll contribute to the ransom fee, if that's your concern.

Waleran

No, my concern is Stephen. If he is redeemed, will the war continue?

Regan Hamleigh

Undoubtedly.

Waleran

Therefore Queen Maud may not rule for long and then, whose side are we on?

Regan Hamleigh

We need to play both sides.

Waleran

Oh, I intend to do that as negotiator, but your position is not as flexible.

Regan Hamleigh

You will have to intercede for us.

Waleran

You presume our position is that of equals. I need you to serve me, not command me.

Regan Hamleigh

What would Your Eminence have me do? Whatever your wish, I am happy to obey.

Waleran

I wish to be made Archbishop of Canterbury once Stephen regains his throne. The current one will have to be removed, of course.

King Stephen

I'm told it was your idea to substitute the farm boy with Eustace, by the way. Oh, I suppose I should be grateful.

Waleran

God inspired me, Your Majesty.

King Stephen

He speaks to me directly now. He appeared to me in prison and told me in no uncertain terms that the sinking of the White Ship was part of his plan.

Waleran

It was a terrible tragedy, Sire, but it made you king. God's plans twist at times, but always end up in the greater good.

King Stephen

Quite.

Waleran

You look lost. Of course, you are. No longer prior, your dream demolished, you must sometimes think God is punishing you for your sins, your willful pride.

Yes.

Waleran

In recompense for not naming me archbishop, the king has agreed to send me as his representative to Rome. And I'll need a trustworthy man to handle diocesan affairs in my absences. And you were the first and to be frank, the only man I could think of.

I... I don't think I'm...

Waleran

I'm not finished. When I advance as... I hope one day to do... perhaps you will take my place. As Bishop of Kingsbridge, you could build your cathedral, punish the Hamleighs, do whatever you want. Until then, I simply ask for honest diligence and obedience in all things.

In all good things.

Waleran

Of course.

Your offer took me unawares. And you were right. I've never... I've never felt so lost. Satan tempted Christ at his weakest: after 40 days without food or water. I haven't Christ's strength to resist, Eminence, but... but you... you do not have Satan's cunning. You have taught me, you see. Politics may be a bargain between beggars but compromise between good and evil is never possible. God's work does not blend with power or greed. Your moral mortar is corrupt. And the walls of your church will crumble and the roof will fall. And you and everyone who worships with you will be crushed. I would sooner live out the rest of my days feeding pigs at the monastery than feeding your ravenous ambition.

Waleran

You're damned.

Waleran

The miracles, are they real?

Remigius

Who's to say? Cripples walk, the dying are revived, but witchcraft does the same. One thing is certain. More and more pilgrims come every day giving money for the cathedral. That's the greatest miracle of all.

[furious, following his deposing as Earl of Shiring] She betrayed me! My own wife!

Waleran

If you kick a dog, it may someday bite you. Your mother never learned that and now she burns in eternal fire.

Nonsense! She's in Heaven, kneeling before the throne of God!

Waleran

She's in Hell, William, and rumor has it you put her there.

[afraid] What can I do? I'll build a chapel in exchange for her salvation.

Waleran

Too late for that. All you can do is save yourself now.

How?! I'll do anything! [Waleran raises an eyebrow] This isn't fair!

Waleran

No, it isn't. Very little in this life is fair when the forces of evil are strong...and make no mistake about it, it's the Devil we're fighting and the scores are even.

Waleran

Citizens of Kingsbridge... you have brought the wrath of God upon yourselves. You harbour liars, witches, sodomites and thieves.

Jack

And unholy priests! Because of your treachery, England has been steeped in blood for 16 years. Soldiers have died, wives mourned, sons grown fatherless into manhood and then gone themselves to fight and to die. This town has been burned, its citizens slaughtered... and yet, still we survive. We build a cathedral like none has ever seen before in praise of God and our abilities and our faith in some peaceful tomorrow. And in spite of you, Waleran Bigod, the people of Kingsbridge will find that peace.