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DOCTOR
WHO
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appears. The episode title is displayed over the print.)
PRIEST OF DEATH
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by
JOHN LUCAROTTI
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1. PRESLIN'S SHOP
(Steven is woken by Anne looking in a chest of clothes.)
STEVEN: Oh, it's only you. What's the time?
ANNE: Oh, I'm sorry, monsieur. I didn't mean to wake you, I, I...
STEVEN: Well, never mind. What time is it?
ANNE: It's dawn, monsieur. The Tocsin's rung. Curfew's over.
STEVEN: And the 'Sea Beggar' dies today.
ANNE: Are we going to leave Paris now?
STEVEN: No. No, I'm sorry, Anne, but I must go back to the Abbot's house.
ANNE: No! Monsieur, no!
STEVEN: I must! And my friend should be there by now. He may know who the 'Sea
Beggar' is.
ANNE: If you go back there, they'll arrest you.
STEVEN: No they won't, the Doctor should be able to stop them.
ANNE: They'll recognise you before you can find him. The Captain of the Guard
and Monsieur Colbert.
STEVEN: Hmm. Perhaps if I disguise... See if we can find some other clothes.
(They rummage through the chest of clothes.)
STEVEN: Uh, yes. Well, this should do.
ANNE: Uh, but it's so dirty, monsieur.
STEVEN: Yes, well, never mind. Now, if I can find that hat...
ANNE: Monsieur?
STEVEN: Oh, girl.
(Anne laughs as Steven tries on his disguise.)
STEVEN: Yes, well I don't think the Captain will recognise me in this.
2. THE LOUVRE
DE COLIGNY: If we ally ourselves to the Dutch in their conflict with Spain, the
common cause will unify the country, and prevent further civil strife.
TAVANNES: Oh, surely the marriage between Henri of Navarre and His Majesty's
sister have already put an end to the disturbances?
DE COLIGNY: For how long? As I have pointed out, frequently in this chamber, it
would take but one small incident and the whole of Paris could be in uproar.
TAVANNES: Incidents occur daily, yet still the city does not rise.
DE COLIGNY: If we allied ourselves with the Dutch even those incidents would not
take place.
CHARLES IX: My Admiral has a good point there. Pray accept it, Marshall, and let
us finish with this tedious business.
TAVANNES: Your Majesty, France cannot afford this war.
CHARLES IX: So we are told frequently by our mother.
TAVANNES: The recent conflict inside the country have brought us almost to ruin.
There is no money to pay for the forces that would be needed to wage war with Spain.
TOLIGNY: But is it not so that under the treaty signed at Loire, the English will
come to our assistance?
CHARLES IX: Not you as well, my little Councillor? The Admiral and the Marshall
quarrel well enough without assistance.
DE COLIGNY: I apologise, sire. I had hoped to end the deadlock between them.
CHARLES IX: It was good to hear a different voice. So, Elisabeth of England has
agreed to help us?
TAVANNES: Does anyone here trust her? She breaks more promises than she keeps.
DE COLIGNY: She has no love for Spain.
TAVANNES: She has yet to come out into the open and say so. However, if Your
Majesty is so eager to fight this war, perhaps we could raise the money by leasing the Alpine
hunting grounds to Italy?
CHARLES IX: Do you mock me, Marshall?
TAVANNES: Of course not, sire, but the war will have to be paid for. Some
sacrifices will have to be made.
CHARLES IX: We will give away nothing of our land.
TOLIGNY: Besides, the bears there are French. They may not like to be sold.
CHARLES IX: Heh, true! (laughs) Next winter you will accompany us on our hunt.
DE COLIGNY: Your Majesty, there is enough money in France to finance the war.
CHARLES IX: Enough of this war. I am bored with Spain.
DE COLIGNY: But I beg to advise, Your Majesty...
CHARLES IX: No, Admiral, please! Talk of it some other time. War is so tedious.
Move to matters closer to us.
DE COLIGNY: If the King refuses to make war, may it please God that another war
will not be forced on him, which it would not be easy to renounce.
3. PRESLIN'S SHOP
ANNE: No, monsieur. I won't stay here alone.
STEVEN: Then you must come with me!
ANNE: But they'll arrest me at the Abbot's house!
STEVEN: They won't. Now look, I'm almost certain that my friend is pretending to
be the Abbot. Now he'll make sure that no harm comes to you.
ANNE: oh, but monsieur...
STEVEN: Now you must trust me. I'll take care of you.
ANNE: You've been very kind to me, monsieur, but... well, I'm... I'm afraid to go back to that house.
STEVEN: Look, I'll be with you. Besides, you won't stay here, so where will you
go?
ANNE: Well, all right. I... I'll come with you.
STEVEN: Look, if anything happens on the way to the Abbot... If I'm recognised,
then we'll have to run. Now you must come back here, do you understand?
ANNE: But supposing they catch me?
STEVEN: No they won't. I'll be the one they chase. Now if you come back here
I'll know where to find you, and I can join you as soon as possible.
ANNE: All right.
STEVEN: Good girl. Come on.
4. THE LOUVRE
DE COLIGNY: How much longer are the Huguenots to suffer these frequent violations
of their rights?
TAVANNES: The treaty drawn up by the Queen Mother to conclude the religious
difficulties of the country was generous in the extreme to the free thinkers.
DE COLIGNY: Words were spoken. Signatures were exchanged. But they did not
prevent many acts against the Huguenots.
TAVANNES: Do you question the promises of the Queen Mother, Admiral?
DE COLIGNY: It is easy to promise.
TAVANNES: You speak treason!
CHARLES IX: Enough! Why is it not possible for our councillors to talk without
quarrelling?
DE COLIGNY: Sire, it is imperative that the religious differences of the country
be fully discussed!
CHARLES IX: Admiral, grant me but a few days more in which to amuse myself and
then I promise you, as King, that I shall make you happy and all those of your religion.
DE COLIGNY: Kings are recognised only by the power they wield. The Queen Mother
seems to claim this power. Take care, Your Majesty, that it does not prove detrimental to
yourself, and to France.
TAVANNES: Your Majesty...
CHARLES IX: Tavannes, no more. Marshall. This meeting is over. Since my noble
mother seen fit to depart, let us do likewise. We need to get on the Feast of
St. Bartholomew, so until the day after tomorrow, let us enjoy ourselves.
TOLIGNY: Was that wise? To insult the Queen will only make her work harder
against you.
DE COLIGNY: It was time her power was challenged.
TOLIGNY: The King still fears his mother. Surely this may damage all for which
you've worked so hard?
DE COLIGNY: Let us hope not.
CHARLES IX: Heh, heh! Admiral, come with us. We are going to play tennis.
DE COLIGNY: Your Majesty, I must beg to be excused. I have work which must be
done.
CHARLES IX: Oh, my dear Admiral, we are pleased with you! Since now our mother
will not speak to us for the rest of today! You will come with us. I have a new racquet I
want you to see. Come!
5. ABBOT'S RESIDENCE
PRIEST: You will have to wait in here. The Abbot cannot be disturbed.
STEVEN: Yes, but I must speak to him. It's most important.
PRIEST: You do not understand, young man. The Abbot is saying his office.
STEVEN: His what?
PRIEST: His office. We cannot disturb him while he is at prayer.
STEVEN: Well, how long is he going to be?
PRIEST: You must curb your impatience, young man. If you will tell me what your
business is, then perhaps I can help you.
STEVEN: Um... I... I have a message for the Abbot, concerning a man who is to die
today.
PRIEST: If it is a case for the last sacraments, then there is no need to trouble
the Abbot. I, myself, will come with you.
STEVEN: Well, no. I mean... I mean, it's very kind of you but...
PRIEST: Is there something more?
STEVEN: Well, yes. And I can only discuss it with the Abbot.
(The Abbot enters.)
ABBOT: What is this?
PRIEST: My Lord Abbot.
STEVEN: Oh, Doctor!
ABBOT: Silence! Who is this man? And why does he disturb my peace?
PRIEST: It appears he comes from a dying man.
ABBOT: Well?
STEVEN: Um, I... I've brought back the servant who ran away.
ANNE: Monsieur!
ABBOT: You have done well, my son. Father, you may leave us. I will settle this
matter.
PRIEST: Very well, my Lord Abbot.
STEVEN: I felt you would be safer here, as Bondeaux waits for the 'Sea Beggar'.
(Tavannes enters.)
TAVANNES: Lord Abbot, a word with you.
ABBOT: The young man has returned the girl to us, Marshall.
TAVANNES: What girl?
ABBOT: The one who lodged with the 'Sea Beggar'.
TAVANNES: Oh, she is of no importance. I must speak with you alone.
ABBOT: Very well. Take the girl and wait outside. I'll tend you later.
(As Steven and Anne leave they overhear the Abbot and Tavannes discussing details of the
assassination.)
TAVANNES: Is Bondeaux prepared?
ABBOT:&nbxp; Of course. I never fail. Neither do my servants.
TAVANNES: Is Bondeaux _____?
ANNE: Listen!
ABBOT: Bondeaux has been prepared for the last two hours.
STEVEN: Quick! We've got to tell Nicholas!
ABBOT: Is the 'Sea Beggar' on his way home?
TAVANNES: I don't know. The King delayed him after the council. And he had seen fit to insult the Queen Mother and His Majesty was naturally pleased with him.
ABBOT: de Coligny will allow no one to take him away from his work. I think we
can take it he is on his way by now.
(Colbert enters.)
COLBERT: The girl... The servant who ran away...
ABBOT: Colbert! How dare you interrupt us!
COLBERT: But she is with the Englishman from the Admiral's house. I've just seen
them!
TAVANNES: What?
COLBERT: The Englishman with the girl. He's the one who was with the
Huguenots.
TAVANNES: Who did he say he was?
ABBOT: I never asked him.
TAVANNES: Fetch them back!
COLBERT: I've sent the guards after them. He was taking her out the side door.
TAVANNES: My Lord Abbot, what mistake have you perpetrated now?
ABBOT: He could not hear what was being said. I sent him out of the room. In
any case, it is too late for him to warn the Admiral.
TAVANNES: For your sake it had better be.
(Steven is struggling to gain access to Nicholas.)
ANTIONE: _____.
STEVEN: Will you get out of my way!
MUSS: Come in Steven!
ANTIONE: But monsieur, I cannot allow...
STEVEN: Nicholas! Quickly, it's the Admiral.
ANTIONE: Monsieur, I am sorry...
STEVEN: Be quiet!
MUSS: What's wrong?
STEVEN: The plot!
MUSS: The Catholics?
STEVEN: Yes! It's the Admiral they're going to kill!
MUSS: de Coligny?!
STEVEN: Today! Now!
MUSS: But how?
STEVEN: I don't know, but you've got to warn him.
MUSS: He's at the Louvre. There's a council meeting.
STEVEN: No, it's over. They're going to kill him on the way back.
MUSS: Where?
STEVEN: The Rue... St... St. Germaine?
MUSS: The Place St. Germaine?
STEVEN: Yes!
MUSS: Stay here!
6. OUTSIDE
(The assassination attempt takes place as de Coligny is returning home. A shot rings out.)
MUSS: Admiral! Admiral!
DE COLIGNY: See how honest men are treated in France? The shot came from that
window.
MUSS: Search the house! We must get him to a surgeon!
7. ABBOT'S RESIDENCE
TAVANNES: We should have heard by now.
ABBOT: The King may have delayed him further.
TAVANNES: Due to your stupidity the Englishman has had a chance to warn him.
ABBOT: I said he did not hear anything.
TAVANNES: Then why did he run off?
ABBOT: I don't know.
TAVANNES: If this should go wrong, you are to blame, and you will be the one to
answer for it.
ABBOT: The Cardinal...
TAVANNES: ...is in Rome and cannot help you now.
ABBOT: If de Coligny is delayed by the King, then the news of his death will be
delayed also. Bondeaux is an excellent marksman. You know that. There is only one thing for
us to do, that is to wait. Meantime, I will retire to my room.
TAVANNES: You will not. You will wait here, with me.
(Colbert enters.)
COLBERT: Father Abbot!
TAVANNES: Well?
COLBERT: The attempt has failed.
ABBOT: I see. Was Bondeaux caught?
COLBERT: He rode away. But, the Admiral was only wounded, not killed.
TAVANNES: So, the 'Sea Beggar' lives. You have failed! Call the guards! It is
strange, Father Abbot, that since you came everything which had been so carefully planned has
gone wrong.
(The guards enter.)
TAVANNES: This man is a traitor to the Queen. Kill him! You heard my order, kill him!
8. THE LOUVRE
QUEEN MOTHER: Monsieur De Toligny, I am waiting.
TOLIGNY: I... I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but the news I have must be given first to
the King.
CHARLES IX: Now what's the matter?! Why must I always be interrupted? And I was
winning.
TOLIGNY: Your pardon sire, but, ah, I bring news of the greatest importance.
CHARLES IX: Well what is it?
TOLIGNY: Admiral de Coligny has been severely wounded.
CHARLES IX: What?
TOLIGNY: Someone tried to shoot him.
CHARLES IX: Will I never have any peace?!
TOLIGNY: Your Majesty, the Admiral is badly hurt.
CHARLES IX: What happened?
TOLIGNY: The assassins were waiting in the Rue de Place St. Germaine. As we came
down the street they fired at him.
CHARLES IX: Were they caught?
TOLIGNY: No, sire. We searched the house and found the weapon, the men had
gone.
CHARLES IX: Well they must be found. An inquiry. Call the council! The
Admiral's assassins must be caught and punished! Call the council!
9. DE COLIGNY'S RESIDENCE
DE COLIGNY: Oh, my head.
MUSS: My little father! I will see you avenged.
DE COLIGNY: Take me to my own room. Help me up.
MUSS: No, Admiral, wait for the surgeon. He'll be here soon.
DE COLIGNY: Why did they do it?
ANTOINE: Monsieur, are you sure we should not take him to his own room?
MUSS: I've never seen so much blood. Go and wait for the surgeon. Bring him
straight in.
ANTOINE: Yes, monsieur.
STEVEN: Nicholas, I'm sorry. I tried to tell Gaston, he wouldn't listen to me.
MUSS: I know, he told me.
STEVEN: I knew that the 'Sea Beggar' was going to be killed. Until this morning I
didn't know who that was.
MUSS: I could've told you. How did you find out?
STEVEN: Oh, when I ran away from you yesterday, I... I went to the Abbot's house. Well, the Doctor wasn't there, but I overheard some men talking about the 'Sea Beggar'.
MUSS: Who were they?
STEVEN: Oh, I don't know. But... Well, one of them was the same man who came to see the Abbot this morning.
MUSS: So the Abbot is behind this.
STEVEN: No! The Abbot is the Doctor. Now that I've seen him I'm certain of it.
He's just pretending to be the Abbot, that's all.
MUSS: Now listen, Steven.
(Toligny enters.)
TOLIGNY: How is he?
MUSS: He's very weak.
TOLIGNY: The King has called for an inquiry but it won't do any good.
MUSS: What do you mean?
TOLIGNY: As I left the Louvre I heard that some of our men have taken the law
into their own hands.
MUSS: How?
TOLIGNY: The Abbot of Amboise was murdered just outside his own house.
STEVEN: What?
TOLIGNY: The Abbot is dead and they're blaming it on the Huguenots.
STEVEN: But, he wasn't the Abbot!
TOLIGNY: The King has summoned the council. I must return to the Louvre. Take
care of him, Nicholas.
MUSS: Of course.
10. THE LOUVRE
CHARLES IX: ...and, Marshall, since you claim to know nothing of this attempted
assassination, I have a special charge for you. You will be responsible for the Admiral's
safety. Empty the street of Catholics, station your men around his house, and mark me well,
if anything further happens to him, you pay with your head.
TOLIGNY: We do not need the Marshall's protection, sire. To drive Catholics from
their homes will only make them hate us even more.
TAVANNES: Is that possible? Your concern for your friends does you credit,
sire.
CHARLES IX: I gave you an order! See it is done!
TOLIGNY: But, sire...
CHARLES IX: Not another word from either side! I've had enough of your bickering! Leave me! All of you!
(The King's peace is disturbed by the entry of the Queen Mother.)
QUEEN MOTHER: You summoned the council?
CHARLES IX: I gave orders I was to be left alone.
QUEEN MOTHER: Without my knowledge or consent?
CHARLES IX: I asked to be left alone, mother.
QUEEN MOTHER: The threat over your friend, the Admiral? You are the King.
CHARLES IX: Yes, I am the King -- and to be obeyed! Now keep out of my sight
unless you care to end your days in a convent.
QUEEN MOTHER: I would wish you have the courage, my son.
CHARLES IX: I have but to give the order.
QUEEN MOTHER: Summon your guards, have me arrested. But you had better have a
good reason for the council -- and for the people.
CHARLES IX: The attempted assassination of my Admiral, by you and Tavannes. Do
you deny it, Madame?
QUEEN MOTHER: No.
CHARLES IX: Have a care. I mean what I say. I shall send Tavannes to the
block!
QUEEN MOTHER: You would execute the Marshall of France for doing his duty?
CHARLES IX: Duty? He's an assassin!
QUEEN MOTHER: He tried to rid you of a dangerous enemy.
CHARLES IX: de Coligny is my friend. You, Madame, are my enemy.
QUEEN MOTHER: If ever I were to be...
CHARLES IX: May God help you.
QUEEN MOTHER: Look at these before you decide who are your enemies. You think the Huguenots would stop at killing me? They want your blood too.
CHARLES IX: So you keep telling me every day of my life. Why? I protect them.
They're all my subjects. What have they to gain?
QUEEN MOTHER: Until now, nothing.
CHARLES IX: And now?
QUEEN MOTHER: We have a Protestant prince in Paris. Henri of Navarre. You think they give a fig for your protection, now that one of their own is within grasp of the throne?
11. THE STREET
(A crowd has gathered, gossiping, by the Abbot's body, which lies in the street. One man in
particular is stirring up feeling, met with cries of approval from the crowd.)
MAN: The Huguenots must have done it!
WOMAN: The free thinkers!
MAN: They shouldn't be allowed to come here! They done it!
2ND WOMAN: It's a wicked thing.
MAN: The Huguenots will stop at nothing! They even kill our priest.
2ND MAN: Nothing is sacred to the Hugenots!
MAN: Something will have to be done! The Huguenots must be banned from entering towns!
2ND MAN: Kill the Hugenots! They will kill poor defenceless priests elsewhere! No! Lock them up!
(Away from the main group, the guards are commenting.)
GUARD: Just look at them. They all believe the Huguenots killed him.
2ND GUARD: Good.
(Steven arrives at the scene and examines the body.)
STEVEN: Doctor, what happened? What have they done?
WOMAN: The Huguenots murdered him!
STEVEN: No!
MAN: They did. We saw them!
WOMAN: There were fifteen of them!
MAN: They struck him down! But he'll be revenged!
(There are more cries of approval. Then Colbert appears.)
COLBERT: Hold that man! He's responsible!
MAN: After him guards! Catch him!
(As the howling mob turn on him, Steven is forced to flee for his life.)
(The series theme music begins. A print of 16th century Paris appears. The name of
the next episode in white fades in over the print.)
Next Episode
BELL OF DOOM
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Abbot of Amboise
WILLIAM HARTNELL
Steven
PETER PURVES
Marshall Tavannes
ANDRE MORELL
Admiral de Coligny
LEONARD SACHS
Nicholas
DAVID WESTION
Anne
ANNETTE ROBINSON
Roger
CHRISTOPHER TRANCHELL
Captain of the Guard
CLIVE CAZES
Servant
REGINALD JESSUP
Old Lady
CYNTHIA ETHERINGTON
Charles IX
BARRY JUSTICE
Catherine de Medici
JOAN YOUNG
Teligny
MICHAEL BILTON
Priest
NORMAN CLARIDGE
1st Man
WILL STAMPE
2nd Man
ERNEST SMITH
Story Editor
DONALD TOSH
Designer
MICHAEL YOUNG
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Producer
JOHN WILES
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Directed by
PADDY RUSSELL
BBC tv
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