Ballad of Marguerite

8/6/2019 Ballad of Marguerite

1/133

THE BALLAD OF MARGUERITE

byJean-Claude van Rijckeghem and Chris Craps

Fifth Draft

Summer 2006

A PRIVATE VIEWLange Violettestraat 237 - 9000 Gent - Belgium (+32 9 240 10 00)

FILMS DE LA CROISADE6, Boulevard de Strasbourg - 75010 Paris - France (+331 53388888)


2/133

EXT. MEDIEVAL GARDEN - DAY1 1

A splendid medieval garden. Short green hedges surround abeautifully sculpted stone fountain. A wealth of flowersdecorates an arched passageway.

NARRATOR (V.O.)Marguerite van Male was born in1350, the only child of the countof Flanders and the sole heiress ofhis estates. Chroniclers describeher as a devout and obedient child.

A NUN runs across the garden, looking around nervously. Whitedoves fly away as her feet hit the ground.

NUN(worried)

Marguerite, Constance...

One last look and the Nun is out of the garden. The faces oftwo 12 year old girls, MARGUERITE and CONSTANCE, pop up frombehind a hedge. They smile mischievously, sit down and open ahand-written, illuminated book with a miniature painting ofnaked lovers embracing.

YOUNG MARGUERITE(reading, excited)

And so that noble knight, seigneurTristan, came to the queenschamber. And then the queen and

Tristan were together. Whether theywere abed or at other manner ofdisports...

(the girls giggle)...we will not make mention, forlove at that time was not as it isnowadays...

A sound makes the girls look up. Three boys, wearing helmetsand wooden swords from practice, stand before them. Thetallest boy, some fourteen years old, walks up to Marguerite,wanting to impress his mates.

BOYMy, what are you girls reading ?

(looks at the text)Oh, the tale of Tristan.

YOUNG MARGUERITE(mock surprise)

Well, William, you can read.

Constance giggles. William grins.


3/133

WILLIAMSoon, Ill be a knight and Ill begood at many things: reading,fighting, singing...

(grabs his crotch)...saving damsels in distress.

William laughs at his gross joke. So do his mates. Margueritelooks at Williams crotch, stone-faced.

YOUNG MARGUERITEA knight of the order of the tinyappendix?

Constance and the boys laughs. William grows pale.

WILLIAMIf you werent the counts

daughter, Id --

Before he can finish, Marguerite smacks the book into hisface, crushing his nose. She takes a sword from one of theboys and throws herself onto William. Constance cheers heron. The nun comes running, in hysterics...

NUNOh, no not again, Messire, help,Messire...

INT. COUNTS CASTLE GHENT - HALL - DAY2 2

A chessboard with stone pieces, beautifully sculpted. We heara cracking fire and a harp being played.

A hand moves a red piece and takes out a white one. It is THECOUNT, surrounded by a bishop, some nobles and guildsmen, alldressed in exquisite garments. There is a large hound at hisfeet.

The count looks at his opponent with superiority andconfidence. As do the other men behind hem.

NARRATOR

England and France were at war andboth countries wanted Flanders, forit was rich. So prince Edmund ofEngland and prince Philip of Franceproposed to young lady Marguerite.

We now discover the counts opponent: Marguerite, still aged12, wearing a splendid dress. She has scratches in her facefrom that mornings fight. Constance, 12, watches from astool where she is doing embroidery.

2.


4/133

NARRATORThe count, under pressure of theguildsmen of Flanders, agreed tomarry her to Edmund, fourth son tothe English king.

Marguerite moves a chess piece. The count and his men ponderthe move.

YOUNG MARGUERITE(casually)

I shall not marry him.

The count looks at her, unimpressed. The bishop points at apiece on the board, suggesting the next move. The countfollows the advice, taking out another of Margueritespieces.

COUNTOf course you will.

The men behind the count smile confidently.

YOUNG MARGUERITE(playing innocent)

But I cant. Edmund and I arecousins, related in the fourthdegree.

Marguerite moves her tower casually and takes out a redpiece with her white tower. The tower faces the king.

YOUNG MARGUERITECheck.

The count and his entourage dont know whether to look at thechessboard or at Marguerites innocent face.

COUNT(irritated)

Dont be silly, child, every singleprince from here to India is yourcousin in some degree or another.

Thats how nobility works.

A nobleman points to one piece. The count pushes his handaway in irritation, looks down at the chessboard, trying tofocus, pondering his next move, ...

YOUNG MARGUERITEStill, fourth degree. Wont thePope object?

3.


5/133

COUNT(angry)

Child, you leave the bloody Popeout of it.

The count, realizing what he just said, looks up at the

bishop, makes an embarrassed sign of the cross and moves hisking.

MARGUERITEAh, I should not have sent theletter then.

All the nobles are perplexed.

COUNTWhat letter?

YOUNG MARGUERITEWell, I had to inform the HolyFather of this, didnt I?

She moves her queen and takes out another of the countspieces. It now challenges the king again.

YOUNG MARGUERITE(casually)

After all, its every Christiangirls duty. One should not marryones cousin in the fourth degree.Check mate.

The count looks at the board in astonishment. As do thenobles.

YOUNG MARGUERITE(sighs innocently)

Im afraid I will just have tomarry prince Philip, duke ofBurgundy. They do say hes theflower of chivalry.

The count kicks the chessboard away with his foot. The chess

pieces fly. Constance jumps up. The nobles shrink back. Thedog runs off. Marguerite does not look up at her father. Shegets up and turns to leave.

COUNT(shouting)

You will not marry Burgundy! Do youhear me! Never!

Marguerite walks on, beaming.

4.


6/133

EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY3 3

A caption read: 1369, Road to Burgundy.

A country landscape in the full vigor of spring. Moving spots

of light slashing through fresh green fields. We discoverthat the spots of light are men on horseback.

But these are not ordinary men. These are tall men on great

horses. Plumed men. Armoured men. Everything about them

blinds the eye. Their helmets, their coats of ring-mail and

their shields are polished like mirrors. The horses have

mantles in bright colors. And above them floats the banner of

Flanders: the banner of the lion.

In between the horsemen is a magnificent carriage, cylinder-shaped and richly decorated. It is pulled by two black horses

with their manes tied in braids. The escort is followed by

three carriages with chests and boxes. These are driven by

SERVANTS.

INT. CARRIAGE - DAY4 4

CONSTANCE, now 18, is weaving the long blonde hair of her

mistress MARGUERITE, also 18, into a braid.

Constance is leaning on a bench while Marguerite is sittingon a chair surrounded by cushions. The cartwheels plough

through the mud. The women feel every bump in the road.

MARGUERITE

First thing Ill do, is build a

proper road between Flanders and

Burgundy.

CONSTANCE

Only seven more days, Marguerite.

MARGUERITE

I cant wait. If the Romans could

build roads, why not the French.

CONSTANCE

The French only think of food,

women and war.

5.


7/133

MARGUERITE

Theres peace now.

CONSTANCE

Not for long. French knights love

war so much, that this one willlast for a hundred years at least.

MARGUERITE

And what if it does ? A knight can

only prove his valor in war. And if

anyone proved his, it is Philip.

(smiles)

My Philip.

CONSTANCE(she has heard it all

before)

Yes.

MARGUERITE

(passionate)

Think of it, Constance. He was only

fourteen when he stormed the

English at Poitiers. Cutting them

down by the dozens...

CONSTANCE

(bored)

And from then on, they called him

the bold.

MARGUERITE

But think of it, Constance, he was

just a boy.

CONSTANCE

(pulls hard at

Marguerites hair)

Its just a story.

MARGUERITE

Ouch !

6.


8/133

Marguerite turns around. Only now do we discover her

beautiful, young, pale face. She is wearing jewelry: rings,

bracelets, earrings, pendants, necklace... She is covered

with the stuff.

MARGUERITENo. It is all true. He is the best

knight that ever was.

CONSTANCE

Granted, but he needs your love not

so much as your wealth.

MARGUERITE

(irritated)

I chose him. He didnt choose me.

CONSTANCE

Well, you are the future countess

of Flanders, not the heiress of

Greenland.

MARGUERITE

Constance, dont be such a pest.

CONSTANCE

(obedient)

I only want you to be happy.

MARGUERITE

But I am happy. And will be even

more so. Philip will love me and I

him. We will be the most marvellous

couple in Christendom. Our romance

will be sung in ballads for

centuries to come.

Constance lowers her head.

MARGUERITE

Dont worry, sweet Constance. I

know what Im doing.

7.


9/133

The coach jerks to a stop. Both women are thrown forward in

the carriage. Marguerite puts on a cap to cover her hair and

looks outside.

EXT. COUNTRYSIDE -DAY5 5

A tall, greying Flemish knight, JOHAN, rides towards the

carriage.

JOHAN

Weve arrived at the river Oise,

Madame. But there is a problem.

Marguerite jumps from the carriage. Only now do we discover

her exquisite robes decorated with pearls. She walks with

perfect grace and elegance. Her back is a straight line.

Marguerite arrives at the bank of the Oise. Across the water,

on the fields, floats a mist.

MARGUERITE

(whispers)

France. Philip. At last.

Only then does Marguerite discover the remains of a wooden

bridge which has been burnt recently. A body is floating in

the water.

A knight with long black hair, rich clothes and shining

armour, LANCELOT, approaches her on his horse, looks down on

Marguerite.

LANCELOT

Routiers, no doubt, little

princess.

MARGUERITE(sharp)

What do you mean: routiers, no

doubt ?

LANCELOT

(surprised)

Err... well, you know, warbands,

mercenaries released from..

8.


10/133

MARGUERITE

(disdainfully)

Seigneur Lancelot, I know what

routiers are. But how do you

know? Did you have a vision?

Lancelot is speechless at her response. She looks half his

size. The soldiers look elsewhere. Johan is nervous.

An older French knight, ENGUERRAND, steps down from his

steed. His face is riddled with battle scars and his helmet,

ringmail coat and arm plates look just as rich as Johans and

Lancelots. A hawk is perched on his shoulder.

ENGUERRAND

Lancelot knows. We are men of war,Madame.

MARGUERITE

Oh please, messire, the Holy

Crusades are over.

ENGUERRAND

English warbands are roaming the

country, Madame, and your future

husband is very much concerned with

your well-being. We will take

another route...

MARGUERITE

Your mission, messire Enguerrand,

is to protect me and to observe

your schedule.

ENGUERRAND

I know every hill, road and swamp

in Picardie, we will not lose one

hour more than needed.

LANCELOT

Well get you to Dijon in time for

your wedding, little princess,

dont you worry.

9.


11/133

JOHAN

Good. Lets go then. We need to

find shelter, come nightfall.

The soldiers mount their steeds. Marguerite does not move.

MARGUERITE

Messire Lancelot!

Lancelot freezes.

MARGUERITE

If you address me as little

princess once again, I shall not

be in need of your protection any

longer.

Lancelot swallows his pride, nods.

MARGUERITE

Well, speak up, little man !

LANCELOT

Yes, Madame.

Enguerrand grins.

MARGUERITE

Have I said something to arouse

your amusement?

ENGUERRAND

No, Madame.

Enguerrands grin disappears. Marguerite walks back to her

carriage like a queen. Men step out of the way, bow their

heads as she passes. Constance has prepared steps for her to

climb in the carriage. She does so in style.

The hawk squeals.

ENGUERRAND

(to his hawk)

Shes just a dove, Persephone, just

a dove.

10.


12/133

EXT. ORCHARD - DAY6 6

Fruit trees are in bloom. A young man, ARMAND, is kissing the

naked body of a girl, Elose, lying in the grass. With his

black hair, dark eyes and tanned complexion, Armand is

clearly from the south.

ARMAND

Your lips are more red than roses

can be. Your body is more white

than snow. And your eyes burn more

brightly than a lions.

ELOSE

Oh, Armand, blablabla...

ARMAND

No, my words are as truthful as my

quest.

ELOSE

Your quest ?

ARMAND

I told you. I have to travel. Over

high mountains...

(kisses her breasts)

And deep valleys ...

(kisses her navel)

To Constantinopel ...

ELOSE

(pushes his head away)

Stop !

Elose jumps into her clothes, straightens her skirts.

ARMAND

(theatrically)

I give you my whole heart if you

kiss me once more.

(points at his lips)

Here.

Elose kisses him on the mouth, looks at him. He giggles.

11.


13/133

ARMAND

(points at his bottom)

Now here.

Elose pushes him away.

ELOSE

Always so sincere.

Elose walks away. She joins a group of PEASANTS as they

walk him to a village. They are a ragged-looking bunch and

Elose belongs to them. She tries to be joyful. They head

home and then...

Suddenly... dogs barking and geese cackling... They stop in

their tracks and hear... The sound of horses ...

They rush to the village... Frantically... Armand hears it

too and hides in the bushes... The hooves thundering...

EXT. VILLAGE SQUARE - DAY7 7

Men, boys and women pick up clubs, scythes, pitch forks. They

form a line, not knowing whether the horsemen are friend or

foe. The horses slow down. The hooves clatter on the stones.

The escort stops in their tracks.

JOHAN

Good people, we come in peace. We

are escorting a lady of Flanders

and wish to spend the night.

Marguerite pulls away the curtain. On the mere sight of her

the people of the village bow and, almost simultaneously,

bend one knee to the ground.

EXT. VILLAGE SQUARE - LATER8 8

The villagers are running to and fro. Horses are brushed.

Tables are put outside. A pig is roasting on the fire.

Armand arrives, his lute around his shoulder. He wears plain

clothes, a prominent codpiece and a silly beret with a leaden

pin showing a penis on legs. He turns as he hears...

12.


14/133

MARGUERITE (V.O.)

I want this house cleaned from top

to bottom. And I want fresh straw.

Ill inspect it again before dark.

Armand sees Marguerite coming out of the only stone house inthe village followed by Constance and a servant, who is

carrying a sheathed sword in his arms...

MARGUERITE

...this whole town smells of

compost. And this house has more

fleas than an English dog.

Peasants run in and out of the house. Marguerite locks eyes

with Armand. Hes staring at her: a wonderful apparition inlavish clothes and jewels.

MARGUERITE

What are you looking at, boy?

ARMAND

(wakes up out of a trance,

bows elegantly)

Armand de Machaut, troubadour, to

serve you, Madame.

CONSTANCE

(enthusiastic)

Oh, grand, a French troubadour. A

real one. He can sing for us after

dinner.

MARGUERITE

If it pleases you, Constance.

(eyes him up and down)

Have him take a bath first.

They walk on. Armand gazes at them. He turns around and...

Spooks a horse... The steed jumps up and its rider has

difficulty controlling the animal...

ENGUERRAND

Fool !

13.


15/133

Armand bows apologetically and disappears in haste.

EXT. VILLAGE SQUARE - EVENING9 9

A fire illuminates the square. Candles and oil lamps are on

the tables. The knights and Marguerite are sitting on thebest table near the fire. There is linen on their table,

silver cups and tableware.

MARGUERITE

I am told that you fought with

Philip at Poitiers.

ENGUERRAND

I did, Madame. Fourteen years ago.

MARGUERITE

They say he was the bravest knight

of all.

ENGUERRAND

(after a beat)

He fought like a lion.

MARGUERITE

He only surrendered after his

father was taken prisoner by theEnglish.

Enguerrand just nods. Marguerite smiles.

LANCELOT

Enguerrand fought bravely too. The

scars in his face tell the story

of Poitiers.

MARGUERITE(haughty)

Oh, you were there too, seigneur

Lancelot? Any scars worth noting?

Lancelot quivers with anger.

14.


16/133

ENGUERRAND

(bitter)

Not all scars are visible, Madame.

Enguerrand stretches out his cup and Elose fills it with

wine. She walks away, past the table of the squires up to thetable of the servants.

The table of the servants is the poorest. Armand is sitting

with the servants and eats from a wooden bowl with spoon and

fingers, as was the habit. There is no linen on their table.

Armand is staring at Marguerite...

Elose slams down a plate with a roasted bird on the table

before Armand.

ELOSE

Youll ruin your eyes.

Two servants, HENDRIK and ROLAND, laugh. They pluck pieces

from the roasted bird with their fingers.

ROLAND

Girl trouble?

ARMAND

(changing the subject)So shes the famous heiress to wed

Burgundy ?

HENDRIK

Yeah, when we arrive in Dijon, in a

week.

ARMAND

Wasnt she going to marry some

English prince?

ROLAND

Oh, yeah, that went on for years.

HENDRIKThe Pope finally decided thatEdmund of England was too closelyrelated.

15.


17/133

ROLAND

Edmund wasnt too happy though.

They laugh and suddenly stop. Behind them is Constance.

CONSTANCEYou can sing for Madame now.

Armand smiles confidently, gets up, takes his lute. She walks

away with him.

CONSTANCE

Shell threaten to cut off your

ears. But I wouldnt worry too

much. Shes only done that once.

Armand looks less confident now.

Elose brings some wine to the nobles table. Enguerrand

looks at her figure. While she bends over him, Enguerrand

shows the moneybag on his belt. His hand is under the bag

and he makes the coins inside it chink.

Elose locks eyes with Enguerrand. He smiles. She smiles back

faintly and walks away, past Armand.

Armand bows to the table of nobles, looking none tooconfident. Marguerite feigns surprise. Enguerrand recognizes

him, looks at him with disdain.

MARGUERITE

Oh, Id forgotten about you. You

were the singer. So sing. If I

dont like it, Ill have Enguerrand

cut off your ears.

ENGUERRAND

(feeding his hawk)

Shes still hungry.

The soldiers laugh. Armand takes his lute and starts to sing.

His voice is, in a word, angelic. His fingers dance on the

strings of the lute.

16.


18/133

ARMAND

(sings)

This is the ballad of seigneur

Tristan, a loyal knight and fair,

who went mad with love from

drinking wine made from womens

hair. So enraptured became he to

lady Isolde, his uncles lovely

bride...

Marguerite is entranced by his lovely voice. The people of

the village come closer to listen. Elose is there as well.

ARMAND

And he whispered in her ear: come

you to my stead, fair Isolde, Idgo to hell for you, said he. Oh

fair Tristan, whispered she, lets

go to hell together then.

Everyone is now listening. Time passes. Enguerrand makes a

sign to Elose, who brings wine. He touches her thigh, makes

the coins chink once more.

ARMAND

(seeing all)And Tristan said: If I knew how to

spellbind people. To infants would

I change my foes. So none would

notice us. Or say things that could

do us harm. Then I know that my

Fair One I could see. And her fresh

color, and her lovely eyes. And I

would kiss her mouth in every way.

So that the marks would show there

for a month.

Armand finishes and bows. Marguerite is still in a trance.

Constance notices it. The villagers and soldiers cheer

Armand. Marguerite wakes up out of trance.

MARGUERITE

I-- Ill let you keep your ears.

17.


19/133

Armand smiles and bows.

Enguerrand grabs Armand by the collar, pulls him onto the

table in front of him, brings his face just inches away from

the hawk.

ENGUERRAND

Persephone would still like a piece

of this songbird.

The hawk squeals and pecks at Armand. It cuts his brow. The

squires laugh. Enguerrand lets Armand go.

ENGUERRAND

She likes you. You should keep an

eye out for her.

The laughter grows louder. Marguerite shows no emotion.

Armand throws the moneybag on the table. The coins spill out.

Enguerrand is astonished as he recognizes his own moneybag...

ARMAND

As you should keep an eye out for

your belongings, messire.

Roaring laughter. Enguerrand hesitates whether to takeoffence. Lancelot eyes him, signals him to let it pass.

CONSTANCE

(claps)

I should think the fool deserves a

florin, Madame.

Marguerite, amused, makes a commanding gesture to Enguerrand.

Full of disdain, he throws a coin on the ground. Armand picks

it up and wants to say something as...

CONSTANCE

(leading Armand away)

Hush your tongue now.

Marguerite whispers something in Johan's ear and walks away

towards the stone house with Constance and some servants.

18.


20/133

Armand walks back to the servants table. They pat him on the

back. Elose is there, looking at him. They lock eyes.

INT. STABLES - DAYBREAK10 10

Horses neigh. Muffled voices are audible. Armand and Eloseare lying on straw with a blanket on top of them, still

asleep. Armand is kicked awake. He looks up at the faces of

Johan and Hendrik.

JOHAN

Get your stuff together. You're

coming with us.

Armand doesn't understand. He looks at Elose's face which

shows sadness.

EXT. DESERTED STREET / VILLAGE SQUARE - DAYBREAK11 11

Armand is walking behind Johan, putting on his clothes. His

shirt is still hanging out of his pants and his codpiece is

dangling between his legs. The squire has Armand's lute and

bag under his arm.

ARMAND

But, messire, you have to

understand, I'm on my way toConstantinople.

JOHAN

Constantinople ?

ARMAND

Yes. The gateway to the Orient. The

most beautiful city in the world...

JOHANYou come with us to Dijon. You will

make Madame's journey more pleasant

and you will sing at her wedding.

It's a great honour, and you will

be paid...

(shows him gold coins)

Enough to buy you a crossing to...

19.


21/133

ARMAND

Constantinople !

(looks at the coins)

What arguments you have, messire!

Armand looks back at Elose, makes an apologizing gesture. Heputs his shirt in his trousers as he arrives at the village

square and sees...

...the escort and the coach. Ready to leave. Squires and

knights are doing a last check on their equipment. The coach

is still empty. The steps are ready. A squire looks at the

stone house. Hendrik gives Armand a horse.

ENGUERRAND

What's with the songbird ?

JOHAN

Hes coming with us.

ENGUERRAND

What ?

JOHAN

It is Madame's wish that he sings

at her wedding.

ENGUERRAND

(fuming)

He's a thief.

ARMAND

(fierce)

It is not just sword and armour

that makes a man of honour.

All fall silent. Enguerrand almost smiles. He grabs Armand bythe hair and makes him kneel. Armand screams.

ENGUERRAND

How can a man with such a loose

tongue, live so long ?

20.


22/133

ARMAND

(petrified)

My tongue is sometimes quicker than

my mind, Messire, I --

ENGUERRAND(takes a knife)

I have the perfect remedy for that.

Enguerrand pulls the tongue out of Armand's mouth. His knife

goes down when --

MARGUERITE (V.O.)

Enguerrand !

Enguerrand hesitates.

MARGUERITE

If you cut off his tongue, he will

not be able to sing at my wedding

and I shall be much displeased.

ENGUERRAND

(angry)

An offence of a commoner to a noble

must be cleansed in blood.

MARGUERITE

The boy is a fool. You said so. He

will ask forgiveness if you release

his singing organ.

Enguerrand glances at Lancelot, who gives him an angry look.

Enguerrand lets go of the tongue. Armand is on the ground on

hands and feet.

ARMAND(with difficulty)

Please forgive me, messire, I was

foolish.

Enguerrand turns away. Armand gets up with difficulty,

stumbles towards his horse. Marguerite and Constance step

into the coach. A servant carries a beautifully decorated

sword in a leather sheath to the coach.

21.


23/133

JOHAN

To horse !

Squires mount their horses. Elose runs up to Armand, dress

untied, hair unkempt. She looks beautiful and earthy.

Armand looks at her, wants to say something but hes short ofwords.

ELOISE

(angry whisper)

You will not be missed.

Elose runs back to the darkness of the streets. Armand

turns, sees Marguerite's face disappearing into the coach. He

mounts his horse with difficulty.

INT. COACH - DAYBREAK12 12

The coach is rocking to and fro. Marguerite is picking a ring

from a richly decorated, wooden jewelry box.

CONSTANCE

(suspicious)

Why take him along ? You already

have a hundred singers at your

wedding.

Marguerite shrugs.

CONSTANCE

He does have a fine voice, of

course.

MARGUERITE

I'd like to keep him as my lap dog,

to warm my feet and bark me a tune

from time to time.

CONSTANCE

Handsome dog. He has a certain je-

ne-sais-quoi...

They both giggle out loud. Armand hears it, sitting uneasy on

his horse.

22.


24/133

ARMAND

(to the squires)

Perhaps I should join them in the

carriage?

The squires don't smile and Armand senses someone behind him.It is Enguerrand.

ENGUERRAND

(calm)

One wrong word from you. Just one,

and I will cut you open, tie your

guts to my saddle and drag you to

Dijon by your insides.

Enguerrand turns around, fires his horse.

ENGUERRAND

(to his hawk)

And I'll save his best parts for

you, my sweet.

Enguerrand arrives at the head of the escort, nods to Johan.

He gives the signal to move.

Everyone shouts and fires their horses and the whole escort

rides out into the country while the first sunlight gleams

over the flat plains.

EXT. COUNTRY - DAY13 13

The escort is moving through the plains. The landscape is

becoming more hilly now.

INT. COACH - DAY14 14

Marguerite is looking at a map and draws their journey on thepaper with charcoal.

MARGUERITE

We're still on schedule despite the

other route.

23.


25/133

MARGUERITE

I wish I could sleep for six days,

wake up and find Philip at my side.

Constance looks outside.

CONSTANCE

Our young friend is sitting on his

horse like a lump of butter on a

hot cabbage.

Armand is lagging behind. His horse is eating from bushes by

the roadside. He pushes his feet in the horse's flanks and

pulls the reigns but the horse ignores him.

MARGUERITEHe has the voice of an angel but he

rides a horse like a nun.

Armand now hits the horse on the rear with his belt and it

takes off now in quick trot.

Armand sees the women in the coach laughing at him and he

tries to show that he's in control. He salutes them with one

hand and now the horse goes off in gallop...

At the front, the knights are trotting at a steady pace ontheir steeds.

LANCELOT

(to Johan)

I suggest to spend the night at the

monastery of Vauclair.

JOHAN

Vauclair ?

LANCELOT

We can be there just after dark, if

we don't lose time.

Suddenly, they see a horse galloping by without a rider. Then

they see Armand running after the horse. They are too

astonished to laugh.

24.


26/133

ENGUERRAND

We won't lose time.

Enguerrand spurs his horse and picks up the reigns of

Armand's horse. He hands the reigns to Armand without a word.

Armand tries to climb on his horse but it's not standing

still. Enguerrand pulls him onto his horse. His strength is

enormous.

ENGUERRAND

I don't want to lose you, songbird,

you and I have unfinished business.

The escort rides on.

EXT. MONASTERY OF VAUCLAIR - NIGHT15 15

The escort arrives at monastery in the hills which has been

built in a U-form. The weather has worsened. Wind and rain.

A large open gateway leads to the open courtyard. The

courtyard is illuminated by big, flaming fire baskets on

poles.

ENGUERRAND

(to Johan)Let the servants take care of the

horses while we warm ourselves

inside.

Johan gives the signal. Roland and Hendrik lead the horses to

the stables at the opposite side of the monasterys entrance.

INT. MONASTERY OF VAUCLAIR - NIGHT16 16

The inside of the monastery is a big, high room. Straw on the

floor. There is a staircase leading to the first floor where

the rooms are located.

Enguerrand and Lancelot enter the monastery first, followed

by Johan, Marguerite, Constance and ten squires. A servant

once again carries Marguerite's sword. Johan's eyes scan the

place.

25.


27/133

There is no one on the first floor and, near the fireplace,

are some thirty pilgrims. They are dressed in capes, have

pilgrim's sticks with Saint Jacob shells on them. Their caps

make it difficult to distinguish their faces.

Armand, drenched to the bone, goes straight for the fire...

ARMAND

Evening pilgrims...

A monk comes into the room, shaking with nervousness, looks

at the knights, bows and bends his knee to the floor.

JOHAN

(bows in resprect)

Please stand, father, we are inneed of food and shelter for

twenty...

The monk doesn't answer, does not raise his head...

JOHAN

(embarrassed by the monks

politeness)

Father, please, stand, I...

The monk raises his face... It is a face full of tears... Hislips tremble... Johan looks around in alarm...

Armand turns his back to the fire, pushes his behind

awkwardly into the fireplace and sees...

The PILGRIMS... taking off their caps one by one... and under

their grey cloaks they have pikes, swords and pole-axes...

they're a savage looking bunch... wild-eyed... brand-marks on

their necks and faces...

JOHAN

(shouts)

SHIELDS !

The squires immediately leap into action, taking their swords

and pikes and forming a shield-wall, shoulder to shoulder in

front of lady Marguerite...

26.


28/133

... and in between the two groups stand Enguerrand and

Lancelot...

ENGUERRAND

Seigneur Johan, we fought together

at Poitiers. I do not want yourblood. But we need the lady for

Edmund of England. She is his

rightful bride. We will take her to

Mont-St-Michel where she is to

marry prince Edmund. God wills it.

The squires are dumbstruck. Constance has her hands to her

face. Marguerite's face is stone cold. She takes the sword

from her servant, buckles its sheath onto her back, picks up

her jewelry box.

Armand screams. One of the pilgrims throws him across the

room. He drops just in front of the shield-wall... he lies

petrified on his back... nobody pays attention to him...

JOHAN

It is treason.

ENGUERRAND

It is politics, messire.

JOHANWill you defy the pope?

ENGUERRANDPopes can change their minds.

The pilgrims move forward in a threatening fashion. They

outnumber Marguerite's escort by three to one. This is a

Mexican stand-off with swords and shields if ever there was

one. Nobody dares make a move.

Johan hesitates and so do the squires. They realize that

their chances of winning this confrontation are slim. The

monk is down on his knees, crossing himself and mumbling

prayers...

MARGUERITE

(shouts)

Enguerrand !

27.

(MORE)


29/133

I, Marguerite van Male, by the

grace of God, heiress of Flanders,

Artois, Rethel, Nevers and Sully,

sentence you all to death for

treason to your lord and your king.

Done here at Vauclair in God's year

thirteen sixty-nine.

The pilgrims are quieter now. She has spoken with immense

authority. Johan and the squires grow heart.

MARGUERITE

If you dare attack us, know that

Philip of Burgundy will put upon

you such suffering that Lucifer in

hell will think himself an amateurby compare.

The Flemish scream in defiance, slam their swords on their

shields... The shield wall stands there, firm, strong,

threatening... The pilgrims hesitate...

ARMAND

(whispers to himself)

Were dead.

ENGUERRAND

Be sensible, you are outnumbered.

MARGUERITE

Go tell Edmund that if he dares put

a finger on me, Ill cut off his

testicles and nail them to the door

of my castle so that the children

of France will see the true size of

English royalty.

ENGUERRAND

Yield. Yield now !

MARGUERITE

We are from Flanders. We do not

yield.

28.

MARGUERITE (cont'd)


30/133

Enguerrand sighs and seems to retreat... when he suddenly

twists around and throws a pike which plunges straight into

the shield wall... Hendrik is down...

The following moment... the pilgrims storm the shield wall...

a resounding crash... swords clang onto swords... Flemish warcries are screamed... the chaos is complete...

Armand, paralysed by fear, crawls on the stairs and climbs

onto the landing... unable to get up...

Marguerite and Constance race up the stairs... THWACK... a

pike skewers Constance in the back...

Constance falls down on the stairs... Marguerite screams...

She jumps on the landing... Turns around... Locks eyes withthe dying Constance...

CONSTANCE

Go, save yourself, go with the boy -

-

Constance's eyes break.

MARGUERITE

Constance !

A tall Englishman, HAWKWOOD, rushes up the stairs... There is

a deep scar on his right temple and a huge sword in his

mighty hands... Marguerite jumps back... Pushes Armand in

front of her...

MARGUERITE

Kill him !

Armand hesitates a second. The man pushes Armand to the

floor. Hawkwood raises his sword to smash Armand's skull...

When Marguerite crashes a bench into his chest... Hawkwood,

unhurt, takes Marguerites wrist, twists her arm...

Armand, squirming on the ground, finds the jewelry box, jumps

up and slams it into Hawkwoods face...

29.


31/133

Making Hawkwood topple and crash downwards... jewels

everywhere...

MARGUERITE

My jewels... You stupid peasant

bastard...

Armand grins stupidly... panting ...

ARMAND

We have to get to the horses...

MARGUERITE

What ? We stand here and fight...

A pilgrim from outside breaks through the window shutters and

attacks from behind... Marguerite hesitates...

ARMAND

We must run, Madame, while we still

have a chance.

Armand jumps up, takes Marguerite by the arm... They race

across the landing towards a hallway with rooms on either

side... Downstairs the battle is raging...

There is blood all over the straw floor... The squires aredown to five... Offering fierce resistance... The assailants

are now hindered by the dead and dying...

INT. FIRST FLOOR ROOM - NIGHT17 17

Marguerite and Armand break into a room... Rush to the

window, open the shutters... And see... Four more pilgrims on

the courtyard and the fire basket in the middle of it...

The mercenaries are at the other side of the courtyard... at

the monastery's windows... Cheering their mates...

ARMAND

We're right above the stables.

Marguerite nods, pushes him away from the window.

30.


32/133

MARGUERITE

I'll go first. You follow. We take

the horses and go. Anyone comes,

you cut him down.

Armand nods again, not very confident.

MARGUERITE

You cut him down, you hear !

Armand lifts the sword, finds it heavy. Marguerite lifts her

skirts and steps out of the window. Armand wants to help her

by holding her arm. She pushes his hand away, irritated.

MARGUERITE

The less you help me, the lesschance I have of breaking my legs.

Marguerite jumps onto the cobble stones of the courtyard...

she lands perfectly on hands and feet... crouches down and

crawls her way to the stables...

At the entrance, she pushes herself up and starts... Her

servants are lying dead in the straw, skewered by arrows...

Armand steps out of the window... he has trouble handling the

heavy sword... the marauders are still cheering their friendsinside... Armand jumps onto the courtyard...

EXT. COURTYARD - NIGHT18 18

His landing is much less elegant than Marguerite's... He

falls to his side... The sword clangs onto the cobble

stones... And the four pilgrims at the other side of the

courtyard turn around and see him...

Armand jumps up, takes the sword in both hands... Thepilgrims come closer... slowly... unable to distinguish who

Armand is...

Armand waves the sword above his head in a grotesque gesture

and almost loses his balance... Now they see him... A boy

with a sword... They laugh...

31.


33/133

And Armand sees them: FOUR MEN with knives, pikes and axes...

Two of them remain at the entrance, the other two start

surrounding Armand from both sides of the courtyard...

Their knives, hooks and pikes are glistening in the light of

the fire basket... Mortal fear on Armand's face...

ARMAND

(whispering feverishly)

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name,...

The men draw closer... Armands eyes flash left and right...

He doesn't know what to do, prays mechanically ...

ARMAND... as we forgive our debtors. And

lead us not into temptation...

MARGUERITE (V.O.)

Boy !

Armand turns around and sees... Marguerite coming out of the

stables on one of the black horses that pulled the coach...

the horse is bareback and Marguerite is holding the manes of

a second horse next to her...

Armand runs to her... the two men scream... rush onto him...

Marguerite makes her horse rear up and its hoof hits the

first man smack in the face...

Armand jumps on the second horse but as it is bareback and

has no reigns, so he falls back onto the ground on the other

side...

The horse runs off, galloping and jumping in panic over the

courtyard, trampling the second man...

Armand jumps on the back of Marguerite's horse... she screams

and hits him in the stomach...

ARMAND

It's me ! It's me !

32.


34/133

MARGUERITE

Get off ! Get off !

ARMAND

No... no...

Marguerite hits her horse in the flanks and it takes off...

Armand puts her arm around Marguerite's stomach...

Armand and Marguerite fly towards the entrance but see the

two remaining pilgrims blocking the way... Shouting and

showing their sharp pikes... There is no escape...

ARMAND

Oh my God...

MARGUERITE

Shut up !

Marguerite glances around frantically... Armand holding on to

her... Then she sees... The pole with the firebasket... She

fires the horse...

MARGUERITE

Help me! Come on!

They pick up the pole and hold it like a lance... But it'sheavy... And the basket clangs onto the cobble stones...

Burning branches hit the stones... Armand pulls the pole

towards him and has a firm hold on it...

And together they manage to hold the pole horizontally close

to their sides... Marguerite fires the horse again... It

charges towards...

The pilgrims at the entrance who see a ball of fire coming up

to them...

Marguerite screams a war cry... Armand imitates her, screams

too... As they storm towards the entrance and the men jump

out of the way...

One of the men has a crossbow and aims it at Armands back

while the horse disappears... But Hawkwood, rushing out of

the monastery, prevents him from shooting...

33.


35/133

HAWKWOOD

You might hurt the countess..

Armand and Marguerite disappear into the dark night... The

pole with the fire basket is lying on the road...

INT. MONASTERY - NIGHT19 19

The room is a carnage... Johan is still defending himself in

a corner of the hall... bleeding... exhausted... his squires

dead... or dying... Enguerrand has the point of his sword at

Johan's throat...

ENGUERRAND

Seigneur Johan, yield.

Pray yield...

HAWKWOOD

(coming in)

She got away.

There is a trace of a smile on Johan's face. He drops his

sword and, then, crumbles before Enguerrands feet.

ENGUERRAND

You fought well, messire.

Enguerrand pulls up a table. Lancelot sits down next to him.

Hawkwood, blood pelting down from his beard, looks

surprised...

HAWKWOOD

What are we waiting for ? Let's get

after them ! They only have one

horse.

LANCELOTThey ?

HAWKWOOD

She got away with that boy.

Enguerrand shakes his head. The remaining pilgrims are

crawling on hands and feet, looking for jewelry or stripping

the knights of their belongings.

34.


36/133

ENGUERRAND

We leave at daybreak, captain

Hawkwood, they wont go far.

HAWKWOOD

The boy broke my nose. Ill...

ENGUERRAND

The boy is mine.

Enguerrand takes a piece of cloth and wipes the blood off his

sword.

EXT. WOODS - NIGHT20 20

Armand and Marguerite gallop through woods... trees are

flashing by... the horse jumps over ditches... climbs onto

hillslopes... cracks through bushes... plows through mud...

Marguerite is an expert horseman and leads the horse...

Armand is just holding on...

EXT. MARSHLANDS - NIGHT21 21

They gallop through open country... the rain has stopped and

the sky is full of stars... the horse sweats and there is

foam all over its muzzle... Marguerite keeps on firing it...hitting its flanks with her heels...

And suddenly the horse falls down to its side, throwing off

Marguerite and Armand. They roll in the mud. Marguerite jumps

up, Armand clambers to his feet with difficulty.

MARGUERITE

Get up, you stupid nag !

She kicks the horse with her feet. It doesnt get up.

MARGUERITE

Get up !

ARMAND

It is no use, Madame. The horse is

exhausted.

35.


37/133

MARGUERITE

Oh, who do we have here ? The

famous horseman of Paris?

ARMAND

Just give it some time. We have nochoice.

MARGUERITE

If that nag doesnt get up,

Enguerrand will pluck us off the

road at daybreak.

ARMAND

We can hide in the woods, travel on

foot.

MARGUERITE

I do not travel on foot.

ARMAND

(sighs)

Of course not, Madame, but I am not

so used to horses... the lower part

of my back is an open wound.

Marguerite walks up to him, forcefully. He shrinks back a few

steps. She looks at him and his cap with the walking penis.

MARGUERITE

(exploding)

When are you going to shut that

hole in your face, you mongrel of a

man. You cant ride a horse ! You

cant hold a sword ! Look at you,

you couldnt even frighten a nun.

Thats not muscles in your arms,

thats... thats...

ARMAND

Cottage cheese ?

MARGUERITE

Youre making jokes while all my

men are dead back there.

36.


38/133

ARMAND

Forgive me, Madame, Im not used to

these physical confrontations.

MARGUERITE

Youre completely useless.

ARMAND

I helped you escape, Madame...

Marguerite sighs.

MARGUERITE

Why did you not yield, Madame ?

There was no way that...

MARGUERITE

Who are you to judge, pathetic

little man... you...you...

(turns around, with

regret)

Constance, poor Constance. She so

much wanted to see me wed...

Marguerite walks away. She plants her sword into the earth.

It stands there like a cross. She clutches her hands round

the hilt, kisses the white bone fragment in the hilt, and

whispers a prayer...

MARGUERITE

Dear God, this is the holy sword of

my fathers. The sword that

conquered Jerusalem. The sword of

the lion. So hear my prayer, dear

God, let Philip save me.

Marguerite hears Armand humming and looks. He is kneelingdown by the horse, stroking its head. She turns away, looks

up at the stars.

MARGUERITE

Please God, let Philip save me.

37.


39/133

Marguerite gets up, sheathes the sword, walks back to Armand

and is astonished to see... The horse getting up again on its

legs.

Armand smiles at Marguerite, pats the horse...

ARMAND

Good boy, Tristan.

MARGUERITE

Tristan ?

ARMAND

The horse saved us, so I think it

deserves a good name.

MARGUERITE

Its a mare, you twit.

EXT. WOODS - DAY22 22

Marguerite and Armand on horseback. They arrive at a road.

Both step down, look around.

MARGUERITE

I am hungry.

Armand goes to the roadside, looks around and finds some

roots and plants. He starts chewing and gives some to

Marguerite.

ARMAND

Salade paysanne.

Marguerite throws away the roots in disgust. Armand chews the

roots and spits out the remains. Marguerite rolls up her

eyes. They walk on. Armand walks on and finds some black

berries. He hands Marguerite a few. She looks at them. Armand

tastes one.

ARMAND

Mmmh. Sweet and ripe.

Marguerite takes one from Armand, eats it.

38.


40/133

MARGUERITE

Ive had better.

Suddenly the horse starts neighing. They look up and see...

A gallows. They hear bells in the distance.

ARMAND

We must be near a town.

MARGUERITE(ironic)

Your sense of deduction is amazing.

Marguerite ignores the corpses hanging some four metres above

the ground. The bodies are white and withered by wind and

time. One of them misses part of its leg. She walks past the

gallows, to the crest of the hillside and sees...

In the distance on the crest of the next hill, a castle.

MARGUERITE

Let us go !

ARMAND

Madame, but that is exactly what we

should not do.

MARGUERITE

Are you hearing voices ? Did you

hear me enquiring after your

opinion ?

She walks back to the horse. Armands face reveals utter

irritation. He composes himself and walks to the horse,

caressing the animals manes.

ARMAND

(to the horse)

You know,... Isolde,... as I see

it, the town is the first place

where they will look. The English

have spies in every town.

(Marguerite looks at him

in surprise)

39.

(MORE)


41/133

Some French Lords even connive with

the English. Now, Isolde, I know

youre tired... What are you

saying? .... Yes we need other

horses. We could travel through the

mountains, to a village. I know a

man, Pierre, who raises stallions

there, chargers...

(looks at Marguerite)

A clever animal...

MARGUERITE

My marriage takes place in five

days. I am not in the mood for

sight-seeing. I will go up there,

send a message to Philip and wait

for him to come and save me.

ARMAND

Well... If you insist...but...

MARGUERITE

What ? What is it you want to share

with the world?

ARMANDWell, if they catch you, you get to

marry Edmund of England. Its not

so bad, if you like beer, porridge

and shepherds stew. But if they

catch me...

(points at the gallows)

Ill have these messires for

company... if Im lucky...

MARGUERITEYou, you are nothing. You are a

bird in the sky. I, I am the

heiress of Flanders. My marriage

will determine the fate of my

country.

Armand is silent for a moment.

40.

ARMAND (cont'd)


42/133

ARMAND

If you go to that town, you will

give Flanders to the English on a

plate.

MARGUERITE(defying)

Rot !

She walks off under the gallows. Armand takes her by the

wrist. She pulls it away. They look at each other.

ARMAND

Madame, I beg you to listen. Go

with me. Ill get you safely to

Dijon, I give you my word...

MARGUERITE

Is that the same word you gave to

your sweet at the village ?

ARMAND

This is... different.

MARGUERITE

Your word means nothing to me.

Armand bows.

ARMAND

Then, there is nothing more to say.

I will take my leave with Isolde...

Armand caresses the horse and leads it away.

MARGUERITE

The horse is mine.

ARMAND

You take the sword, I the horse...

It is a fair trade...

Marguerite slams her fist in his stomach... WHAM... that

hurt... Armand doubles up ... Marguerite walks away with the

horse...

41.


43/133

he grabs her by the wrist, still twitching in pain... she

tries to tear herself loose but Armand holds on...

She picks up a human bone from the ground... Its an upper

arm bone which is still attached to the lower arm bone... And

she starts beating Armand with it... furiously...

Armand lets go and smacks into the wooden pole of the

gallows... A corpse drops onto him... Falls apart... Armand

is covered in gore... He screams, starts rubbing the gore off

his clothes and looks into ...

Marguerites long and sharp kidney-dagger...

MARGUERITE

My daggers name is Adieu.(eyes the gallows)

Enjoy the company.

Marguerite smiles triumphantly. She puts her dagger away in

her pouch.

Armand sees a piece of gallows rope on the ground... And in a

flash, he throws himself onto her, pushing her to the ground,

puts her hands on her back and binds them with great

dexterity...

ARMAND

Forgive me, Madame !

But the rope is rotten and breaks... Armand stares at the

broken rope for a flash...

While Marguerites wrist escapes his grasp and... She

wriggles around, kicks, bites...

ARMANDMadame, stop, I do not wish to do

what Im doing...

He tries to hold her down but shes strong...

Armand does not dare to hit her... tries to keep her arms

down... they roll on the ground... down the steep hill...

straight into the bushes at the foot of the hill...

42.


44/133

They are in the thick undergrowth... Armand looks around...

He does not see Marguerite... He hears horses hooves...

And suddenly... he gets smacked in the face... by

Marguerite... again and again...

ARMAND

Stop ! Stop !

Marguerite throws herself onto Armand.

ARMAND

(whispers)

Theyre here !

They duck, holding their breath. Horses arrive. Men step down

from their animals.

Marguerite is lying on Armand... their faces close

together... hidden from view by the undergrowth...

FAT SOLDIER

Nothing to the south.

HAWKWOOD

Perhaps Lancelot is in luck.

FAT SOLDIER

Oh my God, oh my God ...

The fat soldier comes closer to the undergrowth. Armand and

Marguerite hold their breath... The soldier stands before

them, just inches away... and starts... urinating...

FAT SOLDIER

Aah...

The soldier lets out a long, protracted fart. Marguerite

closes her eyes in disgust. Her face is just an inch away

from Armands.

FAT SOLDIER

What if they manage to send a

message to Burgundy ? Will the

bold come and get us.

43.


45/133

He finishes urinating.

HAWKWOOD

Let him come. Philip only thinks of

fame and glory. I fought the French

at Poitiers. They fight like women.

FAT SOLDIER

They call him the bold for

nothing, then ?

HAWKWOOD

(sneering)

He was just a boy in armour

protected by Enguerrand.

Marguerite registers.

FAT SOLDIER

And now hes fighting his own duke

?

HAWKWOOD

Six hundred French knights were

taken prisoner. There was a ransom

for the freedom of each knight. The

richest knights were able to pay

the ransom. But some, like

Enguerrand, were unable to pay and

withered away in English jails.

FAT SOLDIER

(understanding)

Forgotten by their king and their

class.

HAWKWOOD(spits)

French chivalry.

FAT SOLDIER

I smell something ...

Armand and Marguerite freeze.

44.


46/133

HAWKWOOD

Why... maybe you didnt wash ...

They all laugh out loud, except for the fat soldier.

FAT SOLDIERI smell dead people and I dont see

em.

Marguerite holds on tight to Armand.

HAWKWOOD

The gallows are just up the hill.

The fat soldier shrugs. A man on horseback arrives. Its

Lancelot.

LANCELOT

Ive made in enquiries in the town.

Theyre not there.

HAWKWOOD

To horse ! We try east.

They jump onto their horses and ride off.

Marguerite lets go off Armand and gets up. Armand stays onthe ground.

MARGUERITE

(cleans her face

frantically)

Of all the humiliations ...

ARMAND

If I had let you go, you would have

ridden straight into their arms.

MARGUERITE

Go hang yourself !

Armand follows her up the hill towards the horse.

45.


47/133

ARMAND

Madame, if we go to the castle, we

should do so as inconspicuously as

possible.

Marguerite looks between the skeletons. She picks a ringmailcoat out of the mud and measures it to his breast as a tailor

would. She nods. He puts it on.

She finds a rusty helmet, shakes it and a skull falls out.

She marches to Armand, takes off his cap, throws it as far

away as possible and puts the helmet on his head.

MARGUERITE

It looks better, trust me.

She pushes the sword point in the mud and jumps on the horse.

Armand wants to get up the horse as well. Marguerite pushes

him off.

MARGUERITE

Servants walk.

(fires her horse)

Pick up my sword.

The horse trots off. Armand picks up the sword, lets it rest

on his shoulder.

EXT. CASTLE GATE / DRAWBRIDGE - DAY23 23

Marguerite rides in sidesaddle style for the first time.

Armand walks next to her. They come near to the drawbridge.

MARGUERITE

Do you have a name, little man ?

ARMANDArmand de Machaut.

MARGUERITE

I dont like it.

ARMAND

Its not yours to have. Its the

only thing that my mother left me.

46.


48/133

A farmer with his cart of hay and his children on top of it,

is behind them. The guards ask everyone their business.

MARGUERITE

(to the gatekeepers)

I want to see the lord of thecastle. Take me to him.

The gatekeepers look at her. Her dress, hair and face

smothered, torn and covered in mud.

GATEKEEPER

Aye, missie, who might you be then,

a princess of France ?

MARGUERITE(straigth-faced)

Not yet, but will be in five days.

They laugh their heads off. Armand cant help smiling too.

Marguerite looks at Armand. He stops smiling.

MARGUERITE

(with authority))

I am Marguerite De Maele, heiress

of Flanders, Artois, Rethel, Nevers

and Sully. If you will not let us

pass this instant, my page will

give you a lesson you will not

forget.

Armand looks up in surprise. The gatekeepers stop laughing

and look at the flabbergasted Armand.

The farmer with his cart draws back, smelling trouble.

Marguerite gives Armand a commanding look. He shows the swordand takes on a tough pose, which is slightly ridiculous. The

gatekeepers take their pikes.

MARGUERITE

Try to spare their lives, seigneur

Armand, just cut off their ears.

47.


49/133

ARMAND

(disappointed tone,

gaining time)

Only their ears, Madame ?

GATEKEEPERSSeigneur... hes a knight ?

The gatekeepers hesitate.

MARGUERITE

Make haste, messire, we do not have

all day.

Armand puts the sword down, leans onto it, casually.

ARMAND

Madame, forgive me, but I cant

fight these twits. It... it...

wouldnt be fair.

The farmer and children observing the scene, smile.

GATEKEEPER

Please excuse us, Madame, follow

me.

Armand sighs in relief.

ARMAND

(to the farmers)

No action today. t is a pity.

Armand bows and puts on a stern face towards one of the

guards. The soldier looks at Armand without emotion.

The gatekeeper leads the way. Marguerite on horseback and

Armand on foot follow him.

EXT. CASTLE GROUNDS - DAY24 24

Marguerite and Armand go under the castle gate into what

looks like a miniature town. Its very crowded. Voices and

noises all around. Dogs and pigs everywhere. Tradesmen sell

cloth, farmers deliver food.

48.


50/133

ARMAND

Very inconspicuous, Madame.

Marguerite looks down at him. He smiles at her. She looks

away in a haughty fashion. They arrive at the court yard past

the stables.

In the castle wall is the hole of a latrine some metres above

the ground. Dirt falls out of it. On the ground, against the

wall is a pile of excrements.

INT. CASTLE HALL - DAY25 25

Armand and Marguerite are brought before LORD JEAN, an old,

unpleasant man. Armand puts off his helmet.

GATEKEEPER

(bowing)

Mylord, this person claims to be...

MARGUERITE

(while Armand innocently

mouthes the list)

Marguerite De Maele, heiress of

Flanders, Artois, Rethel, Nevers,

Sully...

(glances at Armand, who

stops mouthing)

...and future duchess of Burgundy.

(shows the decorated

sheath)

This is the sword of my fathers.

LORD JEAN

(bows, instantly believing

her)

No need, Madame. I recognize a

noblewoman when I see one.

The gatekeepers and lady Vivian immediately follow Lord

Jeans example, bow with one knee to the ground. Armand keeps

standing, uncomfortable.

49.


51/133

LORD JEAN

Jean De Trves, to serve you,

Madame. And this is lady Vivian.

LADY VIVIAN is young, beautiful and decadent. Her eyebrows

have been plucked and her hairline has been heightened on herforehead. Her clothes are daring with a dcolletage that is

perfectly impressive. She carries a lapdog.

LADY VIVIAN

(bows again)

It is a great honour to receive the

famous heiress of Flanders.

Marguerite smiles at this display of honour. Armand cant

keep his eyes off lady Vivian and clumsily drops the helmetwhich clangs onto the stones. Marguerite sighs.

LADY VIVIAN

And your companion is...

ARMAND

(bowing elegantly)

Armand, Seigneur of Machaut, to

serve you, Madame.

Marguerite looks at Armand with irritation.

MARGUERITE

My escort was killed by English

mercenaries led by Enguerrand De

Saissac.

LORD JEAN

Enguerrand de Sai...

MARGUERITEYou know him, my lord ?

LORD JEAN

We fought together at Poitiers...

ARMAND

(mutters to himself)

Hasnt everyone ?

50.


52/133

MARGUERITE

I shall need to write a message to

my future husband to inform him of

my situation.

LADY VIVIAN(looking at Armand, who

smiles at her in

response)

Of course...

LORD JEAN

We will arrange for a banquet in

your honour and make your stay

worthy of your titles.

MARGUERITE

My husband and myself will never

forget your hospitality and your

protection.

Lord Jean bows in acknowledgement.

INT. LIBRARY - DAY26 26

Silence reigns. Lady Vivian leads Marguerite and Armand into

a room filled with writing desks, books and charts. Armand is

overwhelmed by the literature. Marguerite tries to show no

emotion.

LADY VIVIAN

(soft voice)

You are a man of poetry, seigneur.

ARMAND

(soft voice)

Very much, Madame.

LADY VIVIAN

(seductive)

I believe we have much in common.

A WOMAN SERVANT gives Marguerite quills, ink and paper.

Marguerite starts writing but cant keep her eyes off Armand

and lady Vivian. She cant hear what theyre saying.

51.


53/133

When Armand looks at her, Marguerite plunges back into the

letter shes writing. He walks towards her, looks over her

shoulder.

ARMAND

(smiles and whispers)My dearly beloved duke ?

Marguerite doesnt say anything.

ARMAND

(whispers)

Dont you have a pet name for him?

Sugar or honey?

Marguerite sighs.

ARMAND

You have met him, or not?

MARGUERITE

Go away, I am trying to

concentrate...

Lady Vivian watches them from a distance with mild amusement

while caressing the lapdog in her arm.

ARMAND

(whispers)

If you have not met him, how do you

know you love him ?

MARGUERITE

I know.

ARMAND

You know ?

MARGUERITE

(whispers, furiously)

Ive known him all my life. Ever

since I was a girl, Ive heard of

his adventures. He is the best

knight of all.

52.

(MORE)


54/133

I cannot remember a day when I did

not think of him, when I did not

long to be his mistress, his

lady... and now he is mine.

Armand looks at Marguerite in astonishment. Lady Vivianobserves them. He crouches down on his knees and thinks.

ARMAND

(whispers)

If too much love could make women

die. Think, then, how marked a

woman am I...

She looks down at him.

ARMAND

Well, write it down.

Marguerite hesitates... and does so...

MARGUERITE

(repeats)

If too much love could make women

die. Think, then, ...

ARMAND...how marked a woman am I.

(thinks)

Here in this heart lies a love

thats so rare; Earths truest

loves are all false by compare.

MARGUERITE

(whispers)

Not so fast...

Armand moves closer to her and slowly goes up, as if hes

taking in the whole of her body... feet, legs...

ARMAND

(whispers passionately)

I know each night when I undress...

Marguerite starts... writes, mouthes the words...

53.

MARGUERITE (cont'd)


55/133

ARMAND

(looks at her breasts, her

neck)

Sleep is the last thing Ill

find... I lose my nights to

sleeplessness, holding you for ever

in my mind.

Marguerites hands tremble. His voice is erotic.

ARMAND

(looks at her face, her

lips)

While I cant see you and dwell

here in dearth, I love your thought

more... than all sights on earth.

Armand looks into her eyes. He smiles at her, beaming with

self-confidence, gets up.

ARMAND

(formal again)

Signed. Your countess of a thousand

dreams. Your bride of a thousand

weeks.

(cool)Marguerite De Maele, heiress of

Flanders, Artois, etcetera,...

MARGUERITE

(interrupting)

I know that part.

She scribbles it down, closes the paper and lets candle-

grease drip onto it. She wants to seal the letter with the

ring, hesitates, takes off her necklace and uses the

medallion. The imprint in wax is of a wolf torn apart by

sheep.

Marguerite walks to Lady Vivian, hands over the letter.

Armand sports a smile.

54.


56/133

MARGUERITE

... And could you make sure that

seigneur Armand gets a bath.

Armands smile disappears. Vivian gives the letter to a woman

servant.

LADY VIVIAN

You will join us at our table,

messire, wont you ?

Marguerite looks at Lady Vivian in surprise. But she does not

react. He bows and cant help looking at her fabulous

dcolletage. Marguerite sees it.

MARGUERITEYour bath awaits you, messire.

Her voice brings Armand back to reality.

INT. STABLES - EVENING27 27

The woman servant runs into the stables and finds lord Jean.

He takes the sealed scroll and walks up to a MESSENGER who

wears a coat of chain-mail and a helmet.

Lord Jean and the messenger exchange telling glances. Themessenger climbs onto a steed. He rides off like lightning.

INT. CASTLE / GREAT HALL - EVENING28 28

The great hall has been prepared for a feast and the scene is

- in a word - splendid. These are not the dark ages. These

are the high middle ages in all their splendour.

A master table with white linen has been put just before the

beautifully decorated fireplace.

One more table with nobles are at both sides of the hall. All

decked out with extravagant hats. The walls are covered with

Flemish tapestry and servants in immaculate dress are walking

up and down.

Hot, spiced wine is poured from silver pitchers, shaped like

wolvess mouths. Armand takes a gulp.

55.


57/133

Silver spoons are laid upside down next to silver plates. A

large, primitive clock is ticking time.

Armand is sitting at the master table. His clothes washed and

dried. Lady Vivian smiles at him. She is sitting next to her

husband. The seat next to Armand is still empty.

Trumpets sound. And in walks Marguerite in a less rich but

beautiful dress. She wears her rings and her diamond necklace

with the medallion.

The nobles hold their breath as if they are witnessing beauty

for the first time. Marguerite enjoys her moment, sits down.

Lady Vivian caresses her lapdog.

LADY VIVIAN(to Marguerite)

It is said that you have the

fairest face of Flanders. I see

that it is no exaggeration.

Marguerite nods in acknowledgement. Armand smiles at her. She

ignores him. He drinks more wine.

Musicians play on string instruments, typical of nobility:

psaltrions, harps and medieval violins.

Soup is served and Armand attacks it with animal ferocity. He

brings his head down and spoons the soup into his mouth. He

looks up at...

MARGUERITE

(whispers sharply)

You bring the spoon to your mouth.

Not the other way around.

Armand looks at her, does as he is told, but slurps.

MARGUERITE

(whisper)

And try to pretend not to slurp.

Armand puts his spoon down, finishes his cup of wine.

56.


58/133

LADY VIVIAN

(interrupting)

I hear Philip is the most elegantly

dressed man in Europe. That he

decorates his hats with feathers of

rare birds from India and Africa.

MARGUERITE

He has indeed wonderful hats.

LADY VIVIAN

There is this one bird which has

the most colourful of feathers,

what is it...

ARMAND(red cheeks from the wine)

A parrot !

Marguerite pulverizes Armand with her look.

LADY VIVIAN

Of course, a parrot. Thank you,

messire.

MARGUERITE

I love a man with feathers.

Especially a parrots.

ARMAND

(with his mouth full)

Ah, but it is vain.

Marguerite and Lady Vivian, fall silent and look at Armand.

The other guests are also looking at Armand who now grows red

and swallows the meat thats in his mouth.

ARMAND

All birds are vain. Its in their

nature.

57.


59/133

MARGUERITE

Legend has it that Tristan himself

adorned his combat helmet with

eagles feathers. Would you say he

was vain ?

All eyes are directed towards Armand and Marguerite.

ARMAND

No-no-no.

(a beat, the nobles smile)

Poor old Tristan just had woman

trouble...

Marguerites amazement. Lady Vivian giggles.

MARGUERITE

Oh ?

ARMAND

Tristan fell in love with the one

woman he could not have. The one

woman who set his life on fire and

put it out again.

Marguerite smiles.

ARMAND

His reward was darkness.

MARGUERITE

(loud)

His reward was legend. t Is the

essence of chivalry. You should

know, messire.

Armand, feeling caught, smiles stupidly. Marguerites eyesradiate disdain. The sound of trumpets saves him from

embarrassment.

Servants bring in the food: a roasted peacock with its tail

feathers in full display, a cooked swan floating on a pond of

green pastry and a tremendous meat pie.

58.


60/133

LADY VIVIAN

Perhaps Armand may do us the honour

of cutting the meat.

Lady Vivian parts her hands for Armand to go ahead. Armand

picks up the linen tablecloth to wipe off his mouth but hesees Marguerites livid eyes and drops it.

Armand walks to a small table while the nobles continue

talking. Next to the silver plate with the meat pie are two

precious carving knives. Armand is at a loss.

Still inebriated, he clumsily cuts open the meat and sees

something wriggling inside... He shrinks back... Drops the

knife... And a cloud of small, living birds spurts out of the

pie...

The nobles laugh and applaud. Marguerites eyes roll up.

Armand picks up the knife, cuts a piece, more elegantly now

and turns to lady Vivian.

ARMAND

Pray allow me, lady Vivian, to

taste your meat.

Vivian smiles. Armand tastes the meat with succulence.Marguerites face turns sour. Lord Jean looks suspicious.

ARMAND

I do believe... that angels have

just watered my tongue... and that

nothing in the world is as

delicious as what is before me

here.

LORD JEAN(interrupting)

Let us eat.

Armand bows to finish his act. Lady Vivian claps, as do the

other nobles. Marguerite sighs. Armand goes back to the

table, takes another gulp of wine.

59.


61/133

INT. MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT29 29

Marguerite paces up and down the large room, which has a

beautiful four poster bed, tapestries and a large shield to

the wall. She is wrestling with her thoughts and feelings.

Marguerite takes her fathers sword, opens the shutter of her

window, kneels down and holds the hilt of the sword to pray.

MARGUERITE

(firm)

Please God, hear my prayer, let

Philip come and save me... he must

come, you know he must.

She looks up at he starry night and the full moon.

EXT. WOODS - NIGHT30 30

Full moon. The messenger gallops on the road, the woods at

either side of him. He hears shrieking above him and sees...

a hawk.

He fires his horse but, in the distance, dwarfed by the

trees, he sees a horseman. The messenger slows down. The

horseman does not seem to move. The hawk flies towards the

horsemans hand. A moment of silence.

MESSENGER

(yells)

Messire Enguerrand de Saissac ?

The two horsemen ride towards each other in extended trot.

MESSENGER

Messire Enguerrand ?

Enguerrand nods, his hand on the hilt of his sword. The

messenger gives him the scroll. He reads it. He picks up his

elephant horn and blows it... the horses shrink back...

Enguerrand blows the elephant again and its sound rebounds

over the vast, dark wood...

60.


62/133

INT. SLEEPING QUARTERS - NIGHT31 31

A large room with bunk beds. Servants and soldiers, men and

women are sleeping. Clothes are hanging from the beds. It is

a crowded place. Armand is snoring. A hand shakes his

shoulder. He jumps up and looks into the face of...

Lady Vivians woman servant. Her hands tell him to be quiet

and to follow her. He steps out of bed. His helmet clangs to

the floor. A sleeper curses.

INT. STAIRS - NIGHT32 32

Armand, half dressed, arrives at Lady Vivians chamber. He is

still inebriated... His steps are unsure... The woman servant

smiles, lets him enter. He sees...

INT. LADY VIVIANS BEDROOM - NIGHT33 33

A four poster bed that dominates the room. Two buckets with

flowers and a low bedside table with candles and a cask of

wine. Armand takes the cask of wine, drinks...

A womans hand comes out from between the bed curtains. The

hand urges Armand to come closer.

ARMAND(whisper)

Mother of God.

When Armand comes closer to the bed, the hand grabs Armand

and pulls him into the bed. The lapdog, in a basket, looks

on.

ARMAND

Madame Vivian...

LADY VIVIAN

The less you speak now, the

better...

Her hands move under his clothes, she kisses his breast. He

peels off his shirt, smiles...

61.


63/133

When... Suddenly... He hears a bird shriek... he listens but

her hands are everywhere... He kisses her... A second shriek

and...

Armand, uncomfortable, gets up, jumps to the window, pushes

open the shutter...

LADY VIVIAN

Armand, come...

Armand looks out... He sees torches in the streets and hears

hooves on stones... And above the houses floats...

Enguerrands hawk... Which shrieks a third time...

ARMAND

(terrified)Theyre here.

LADY VIVIAN

What ?

ARMAND

Enguerrand and Lancelot.

LADY VIVIAN

Theres nothing you can do. Stay

here with me.

ARMAND

But we have to warn your husband.

He must...

LADY VIVIAN

My husband lives by prince Edmunds

leave. This is a war and

he had to take sides.

Armand is aghast, trying to focus...

LADY VIVIAN

(as she opens the sheets)

They wont look here.

Armand hesitates, wrestling with himself. Vivian looks at his

reaction, amused.

62.


64/133

ARMAND

Where are my ladys chambers ?

LADY VIVIAN

Why help her ? Youre nothing to

her. Nothing.

ARMAND

Yes, I know but...

The hawk shrieks again. Armand is torn by indecision...

LADY VIVIAN

Stay and be my pleasure...

ARMAND

(after a beat)

Please, where are her chambers ?

Lady Vivian looks at him and smiles.

LADY VIVIAN

(disdainfully)

What do you expect from her,

gratitude?

INT. CASTLE CORRIDOR - NIGHT34 34

Armand hurries, still half-clothed, through the dark

corridor. There is a GUARD in the corridor with a halberd: a

long, spear-like weapon with a long blade and a hook. The

guard is sleeping. Armand pushes open the heavy door.

INT. MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT35 35

Armand runs to the four poster bed, opens the curtains and

sees her sleeping peacefully. Her beauty is striking and

makes him hesitate for a moment. Then he tries to wake her,

taps her shoulder.

ARMAND

Madame...

She is fast asleep... He slaps her face... Its a hard

slap... He did not measure the strength of his slap well...

63.


65/133

Marguerite instantly opens her eyes ... Sees Armand on top of

her and lets out a scream...

Armand throws himself onto her, pushes his hand on her

mouth... She slams her fist in his face, pushes him off the

bed...

ARMAND

Enguerrand is here.

Marguerite freezes.

ARMAND

Lord Jean betrayed you. He...

MARGUERITE

Turn around.

ARMAND

What ?

MARGUERITE

Turn around !

Marguerite rolls out of bed, naked, and jumps into her

underskirt. Frantically. She steps into her dress, puts her

necklace under her shirt.

MARGUERITE

Help me.

Armand turns around and sees the intricate strings on the

back of her dress. Armand pulls at the strings with force and

ties a knot.

MARGUERITE

Aie ! Brute ! Youve been

drinking...

She takes the sword, picks up stuff she can find: an animal

hide, a cape, a spear, a loaf of bread. It makes a bundle.

MARGUERITE

Let us go.

64.


66/133

ARMAND

No.

MARGUERITE

What ?

ARMAND

You go. I... Im staying here.

Marguerite looks at him, not comprehending.

ARMAND

(goes to the door)

Adieu, Madame.

MARGUERITE

Enguerrand will feed you to his

hawk.

ARMAND

No, I have a place to hide.

Marguerite looks at him, his codpiece dangling between his

legs. She understands.

MARGUERITE

(scornfully)Pray allow me to taste your meat.

You common, no good...

ARMAND

I will take my leave now.

MARGUERITE

You are the most pathetic excuse

for a man Ive ever seen.

ARMAND

(angry, emboldened by the

wine)

And you are the most irritating

woman Ive ever met. And I didnt

even sleep with you.

65.


67/133

MARGUERITE

How dare you talk to me like that?

ARMAND

I say anything I like, you silly

person.

MARGUERITE

I am a noble and you...

ARMAND

When Adam delved and Eve span,

where was the nobleman then, huh?

Armand turns, leaving Marguerite nonplussed.

MARGUERITE

But, wait, I... I need you.

ARMAND

I have done my duty.

MARGUERITE

(panic)

I will give you money.

ARMANDIf I go with you, Ill die.

MARGUERITE

(angry)

You will never be a man, ever !

I hope you rot in hell.

ARMAND

(furious)

Any devil in hell will be bettercompany than you.

MARGUERITE

You will not be missed !

Marguerite pushes him aside, goes out but is instantly

overtaken by the guard. She tries to wrestle herself loose

but cant and...

66.


68/133

Armand hesitates about what to do... Marguerite is unable to

free herself and... Armand takes the shield off the wall and

crashes it onto the mans head... The guard drops to the

floor.

Armand looks down at the unconscious guard and smilestriumphantly at Marguerite.

MARGUERITE

He was not that tall.

Armands smile disappears. He picks up the guards halberd...

INT. CORRIDOR - NIGHT36 36

Armand and Marguerite rush through the corridor, want to go

down the staircase but hear voices downstairs. Enguerrand and

his men are coming up.

MARGUERITE

We cant go down.

They look at one another.

ARMAND

Well, we certainly cant go up.

MARGUERITE

We stand and fight...

ARMAND(to himself)

Think, think...

And suddenly Armand knows... He takes Marguerite by the hand

and drags her with him.

INT. CORRIDOR - NIGHT37 37

Armand runs up to the end of the corridor... He points at the

stone hole in the wall...

ARMAND

Here!

67.


69/133

MARGUERITE

What ?

ARMAND

Through here.

MARGUERITE

This is a latrine. Im not going

down there...

ARMAND

After you, madame..

Armand takes her sword from her and pushes her down the

latrine... She tries to resist...

MARGUERITE

No !

Armand stands on her shoulders - sword and halberd in his

arms... and they both plunge down the stinking hole in the

wall...

Marguerite falls into a heap of excrements at the bottom of

the castle wall... Armand falls almost on top of her...

Making dirt splatter... Marguerite doesnt believe what she

fell into...

ARMAND

We took a bath for nothing.

Marguerite is livid... Armand takes her wrist leads her up to

the stable roof... She tears her wrist from him, takes her

sword...

EXT. MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT39 39

Enguerrand walks into Marguerites bedroom and finds it

empty. Enguerrand, furious, turns to Lord Jean.

ENGUERRAND

Where is she, Jean ?

LORD JEAN

I... I...

68.


70/133

ENGUERRAND

Where is she ?

The fat soldier rushes up the stairs.

FAT SOLDIER(panting)

The troubadour is not in the

sleeping quarters. Some woman

servant woke him up...

Lord Jean presses his lips together.

EXT. CASTLE GROUNDS - NIGHT40 40

Marguerite and Armand on the stables roof. They slip in a

ventilation shaft and...

INT. STABLES - NIGHT41 41

They land in the middle of the stables. Left and right are

horses. The ventilation shafts light the stables with beams

of moonlight. They are both covered in dirt.

Marguerite saddles some horse while Armand goes looking for

Isolde. He finds her and sees next to her... Lancelot.

Lancelots gloved hand takes Armand by the hair and crushes

him into a wooden beam. He ties his iron belt around the beam

and Armands throat, crushing his larynx.

LANCELOT

(whispers)

Enguerrand will be so pleased to

see you.

MARGUERITE (V.O.)

Armand.

LANCELOT

Hes here, little princess.

Marguerite shrinks back. Armand utters squealing sounds.

69.


71/133

LANCELOT

I thought you might make for the

stables.

Marguerite drops her bundle, frantically takes off her rings

and bracelets... They fall in the dust...

Lancelot lights the torches one by one.

When all the jewelry is gone from her hands and wrists,

Marguerite unsheathes her fathers sword, takes it into both

hands, her fingers having a firm grip on the hilt... She

kisses the bone in the hilt...

LANCELOT

Oh, what do we have here:resistance ?

She is standing in the middle of the stables. Her arms

tremble...

LANCELOT

Heavy, isnt it ? Not made for

womens arms. You should yield.

What do you think, troubadour?

Armand cant utter a sound. The belt is crushing his throat.

LANCELOT

Oh, hes run out of songs.

Marguerite charges at him with a cry. Lancelot is baffled by

her quick assault. He is only just able to ward off the

attack. The swords clang. Again and again.

Marguerite fights fast and wildly, pushing Lancelot into a

defensive position and delivering blow after blow. Shecorners Lancelot and hacks at him. He checks the blow... T

Documents

Ballad of Marguerite