Gunpowder (TV Mini Series)

Episode #1.3 (2017)

Shaun Dooley: Sir William Wade

Quotes 

• [Lord Monteagle receives an anonymous letter as he is dining with Sir William Wade] 

  Sir William Wade : Something amiss, My Lord?

  Lord Monteagle : Most strange. Most strange.

  Sir William Wade : What is it, My Lord?

  Lord Monteagle : [reading the letter aloud]  "God and men have concurred to punish the wickedness of this time, and think not slightly of this advertisement but retire yourself into your country where you man expect the event in safety. For though there be no appearance of any stir, yet I say they shall receive a terrible blow, this Parliament."

  [scene change] 

  Lord Robert Cecil : [reading the letter aloud]  "Yet I say they shall receive a terrible blow, this Parliament, and yet they shall not see who hurts them."

  Lord Robert Cecil : My Lord Monteagle, you needs must show this to the King.

  [scene change: Cecil shows the letter to King James who is in bed] 

  Lord Robert Cecil : It is most likely written by a madman or a fool. Nevertheless I thought it the safest course to bring it to Your Majesty's attention since I was unable to decipher its meaning, and Your Majesty's gifts of interpretation being what they are...

  Sir Philip Herbert : My Lord, you must sleep.

  Lord Robert Cecil : I would not have presumed to disturb His Majesty's repose were it not for one line in this strange letter: "They shall not see who hurts them".

  Sir Philip Herbert : It makes no more sense than any of the rest.

  Lord Robert Cecil : His Majesty's father died by the hand of someone he never saw.

  Sir Philip Herbert : How did he die?

  King James I : [understanding the significance]  Destroyed as he slept in his bed by an explosion of powder.

  Sir Philip Herbert : [disdainfully, to Cecil]  You are playing one of your games, Master Secretary.

  Lord Robert Cecil : No, sir. Games, tricks, sporting pleasures - these are your domain. I am sworn to preserve the King's life.

  Sir Philip Herbert : You have been removed from the fireside and now seek to warm your backside by the means of this ruse.

  Sir Philip Herbert : [to the King]  He wants to play you like a lute, My Lord.

  King James I : [to Wade]  Sir William. Conduct your searches. Go to it, man!

  King James I : [to Cecil]  If this be a game, sir, it will be the last one you play.