King Stephen quotes from The Pillars of the Earth

Lord Stephen

There's Gloucester.

The king's bastard? He will never inherit.

Lord Stephen

There's the king's legitimate daughter, Maud.

A child. And female.

Lord Stephen

Then, I suppose, there's me. But I'm only the king's nephew.

And... grandson of William the Conqueror. This shipwreck puts you in direct line to the throne, my good Stephen, which we will support when the time comes. Since, unlike the king, you hold the Church in high esteem.

Lord Stephen

The grandson of William the Conqueror takes precedence over a bastard.

The king's bastard, whom he loves as much as the son who drowned. How fortunate you weren't on that ship, Stephen.

Lord Stephen

[Unsheathes his sword] I have no pretensions to the throne.

[Unsheathes his sword] Ah, but the Church behind you does.

And with you and the Pope in power, think how the people will suffer!

King Stephen

My loyal subject, Percy Hamleigh, is the Earl of Shiring. He shall have the castle and all arable lands and low-lying pastures. All other farmlands, I give to... the Priory of Kingsbridge for the building of the new cathedral.

And the quarry?

King Stephen

Goes to the Hamleighs. But you may take what stones you need.

[Surprised that the terms he agreed on with Regan Hamleigh are altered] But... but that's not...

King Stephen

Enough. My decision stands.

King Stephen

We are pleased to announce that with the events of this day, all opposition to our rightful rule is extinguished. Maud and Gloucester's army has been put to flight and there are now only loyal men in England!

I didn't know they were defeated. Is this recent?

Regan Hamleigh

He tells the peasants what they need to hear.

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.

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.