Original subtitles

I, Christopher Colombus

hereby take possession of these lands

in the name of their kings

and I baptize them with the name San Salvador.

He did it. He disembarked in Asia.

Where did he arrive? At the coast of Huelva?

Only one ship has returned. It's in Lisboa.

For Portugal, you want the routes to the Indies by the east and west.

An explorer carrying my own flag could be the first to go around the world.

Your Majesty, soon we will abandon Granada.

Father Hernando's duties force him to remain within the city.

This is why I need a new confessor.

My Lady, I am very glad to see the kingdom so healthy

that its own ruler

can give herself in to games and entertainment.

I only want Cisneros as my confessor.

Go and confirm this to him for me.

And do not forget to pass on my apologies.

The crown of Naples in France's hands, that is our objective.

Your Majesty, are you still convinced King Ferdinand won't get in our way?

I am sure he will sign anything if he can get Roussillon and Sardinia.

Your king and France's are wishing on Naples.

My lord Ferdinand's only concern is that the crown is given to his true heirs.

The pope will always be protected by Castile.

I will not consent to war with another Christian kingdom.

Not for the earldoms or anything else.

Queen Isabel would not get in my way of the throne of Naples.

It would be highly beneficial to France

if she would lead Aragon rather than Ferdinand.

France pretends to take Naples with our consent.

But can he get to Naples without passing through the papal states?

Your ways are more appropriate for the Turks.

Not of one who aspires to defend Christianity against a threat!

There will be war!

- No! You may want to relieve your soul.

- Here I am. - If he dies, who will stop the French?

I will never oppose you again.

- Was he really insane? - No doubt about it, Your Majesty.

From my name I asked the council for mercy for that poor man.

Once we sign the treaty we will go

so you can rest and we can receive Columbus.

This is fine. Do leave. Will you be back?

I guarantee this.

- For Castile and Aragon. - For France.

Big things await your kingdom because you believed in me.

Together, I promise you we will do big things.

Pray tell your Lord, King John

that the Treaty of Alcacovas will be respected.

The Atlantic will belong to Portugal.

On those Islands, the birds, big as calfs, have such colors.

Colors that were not created in Europe.

The landscapes. The landscapes.

They are filled with such beautiful greens.

- Like the north of Castile. - Much more, much more.

Like... Like emeralds in the sun.

- Emeralds? - Yes, Diego, my son.

We will have newfound terrains. Yellow like the Castilian wheat fields.

There is nothing special about that.

And if I tell you it was caused by the gold covering it all?

- Gold? - Gold.

- Gold? - Gold.

These lords will be happy to know

of your encounter with your Indian companion.

Of course I will oblige, Bartolome. This dinner is in your honor.

And I want you obliged.

Even though...

I fear I may frighten impressionable minds.

We have had enough wine to endure the tale.

The island from which this Indian comes from

was seemingly to one's eyes, paradise on earth.

Although when we looked at their people

we found that many had bite marks on their arms and legs.

Maybe wild boars around?

One of them bit my father in Avila's forest.

I am afraid the marks were not the mark of a beast

but from other men.

This tribe enjoys devouring human flesh.

Admiral.

Your adventures could keep our nobility awake for days but perhaps

it may be time to leave.

Do not worry about my sleep. Two hours in a true bed

provide more rest than 10 hours on a ship.

As you wish, but an encounter with the kings

demands a good head.

They wait for great things from you

and they are sure you won't let them down.

Why are they asking for me?

So you can start preparing your next trip without delay.

- More news? - No.

I'm just tired of lavish receptions.

I am your brother. You don't need to trick me like those poor bastards.

The kings are ordering a new expedition.

And since when is such great news related to your sorrow?

Since all of them

are convinced that I reached the Indies on my first voyage.

And isn't that the case?

I arrived at some islands.

Islands that have very little to do with the stories I've read about the Indies.

No one had taken them from the east.

That is why you may have found them strange. What else could they have been?

Clods in the middle of nothing

that I was able to embellish with my gift for stories.

It is too easy to please those who await nothing.

But now, brother, I am being asked for an empire.

What man is up for such a demand?

I hear you had the court up all night with your tales of adventure.

We trust you will gather the necessary strength for your new expedition.

If I may, I was hoping I could have some days of rest

after such a long journey.

You have had months to recover.

The lands you conquered in the Indies, are they south of the Canary Islands?

Slightly more to the south and west of those islands, My Lord.

That is what you confirmed to King John.

Portugal claims the new lands in virtue of a treaty for Alcacovas 13 years ago.

It is now claiming the right to any land conquered in the Atlantic

lying under the parallel of the Canary Islands.

Your eagerness to parade yourself

might be considered treason.

Consider it as you may please.

My conscience is at peace.

I am sure the pope will intervene in our favor.

It is of our own convenience to settle our domains in the Indies.

This is why you must leave as soon as possible.

Do you consider it prudent to set sail without the blessing of the Holy Father?

Admiral, your only concern should be that of the seas.

For matters of heaven and diplomacy, that is our own concern.

Do apologize. I have an urgent matter to attend to.

France is entering Italian land with almost 50,000 soldiers.

The Duchy of Savoy has fallen without being able to defend itself.

Their troops are advancing toward Venice.

Do you have an order for this, Your Highness?

There isn't much to do now.

The treaty we signed in Barcelona

allows France to take Italy as it pleases.

- Until the Papal States intervene. - And they will.

To get to Naples, that is their intention.

We all knew they wouldn't respect the treaty. But their rush surprises me.

My trust in Charles of France's word has always been the same...

none.

- Let's prepare the response. - Fine.

How can it advance so quickly?

The terrain is crude, but the Italian princes flatten the roads.

Provide supplies for our garrison in Sicily. Have it ready to attack.

We will deploy our forces from Aragon and Castile.

To Naples by the sea.

Have the armada of the Cantabrian focus on Cartagena and Alicante.

Hold the enlist to complete the distance toward Italy.

- How many ships? - No less than 60.

Will you head the expedition, My Lord?

I cannot abandon the court.

Someone who cannot let us down should lead.

Any suggestions?

There is a man who has proven his worth, Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba.

So be it.

[Rome]

The East Indies. A magnificent achievement.

So true. While extremely fragile without your own blessing.

My lords do beg thee to formalize Castile's domain over those lands.

I would like to but

didn't you give Portugal right to the Atlantic at Alcagovas?

Pope Sixtus himself blessed the treaty.

And we respect it.

We only require a papal bull to correct it.

To de-authorize a pact between Christian kingdoms?

Your Holiness, Castile will ensure the evangelization of the conquered lands.

The Lusos would also bring the true faith.

And what is Portugal's right over

the result of an expedition they refused to finance?

Even their interpretation of the treaty is wrong.

They can't own the entire Atlantic.

I beg thee to think this over.

Your support will be highly rewarded.

I have never doubted your sovereign's generosity. You can be sure of that.

Hoping not to offend thee, I would ask you to make haste.

My rulers are waiting for your decision.

Do not persist.

Rome marks the true pace.

If we are to speak again, I will decide when.

[Amboise, France.]

To Venice, which has opened for us, like a whore.

I wouldn't have even dreamed of such low resistence.

Did they throw flower petals as you were walking by?

Do not mock, My Lady.

Perhaps this is a wise nation that admires kings because of their grandeur.

Or perhaps the nobility gets sold to the highest bidder.

As long as it contributes to the glory of France, let's toast.

However, I doubt we'll reach Naples

without losing more than a handful of men.

We will succeed. The sacrifice won't be as big as the reward.

Are you going to crown yourself king of the Mediterranean?

You should ask the pope to grant you that title.

Perhaps I may. Perhaps I may.

Do say, are you adjusting to life in the court?

I see you can resist its pleasures.

I fear I might have been excessive in my precautions.

On the inside

the queen imposes its frugality.

- Uses are not cause of scandals. - That is true.

True. Unfortunately I have seen more debauchery in some monasteries.

You think I'm joking?

I know you're not. That's why I laugh.

If I may be honest, I have a hard time understanding

that this rectitude the queen demands of herself

is not imposed in each monastery or chapel.

Would you consider an inquisition within the church itself?

There is no bigger heresy than treason to the precepts of the gospel.

Like my own.

I wish others would feel your guilt.

Is it too much to ask for a return to compliance for he who committed to it?

Is the queen familiar with your thirst for reform?

Propose this to her.

I am her confessor. She chose you because of your rectitude.

You share with her similar concerns. She will understand thee.

I would not want to intervene in matters of government.

I miss so much the meditative life, away from the world.

You can always renouce

and go back to the silence of your cell.

This is true.

But..

Wouldn't it be a sin to go for the peace in my soul

with so much to do for my neighbor?

I am glad you found the spirit to face on the journey.

I fear I have made a mistake.

Do you still have this idea that you never reached the Indies?

No. It is my own indiscretion that is a concern.

The king questions my loyalty, and I must admit it isn't without reason.

But regardless, he supports own enterprise.

Yes. Thanks to the queen.

Do tell.

Is there any proof of felony at play?

No. I was tempted at Portugal, but nothing was signed.

Leave everything and don't fall down. They want us to embark.

Let's do it now and doubts will disappear.

No. That is not enough.

And what do you expect, then?

I do not know if the conquered lands have any riches or not.

But I won't renounce titles or benefits. What I did is worth that and more.

But if this journey fails, God forbid

how do you expect to hold on to what you received?

I will ensure the queen's support.

No matter the cost.

Do come in.

Must be something urgent at this hour.

For the person who holds the faith, as we both do.

My Lady

I request that you take measures against bad practices in monasteries.

What practices are these you talk about?

The current debauchery is known to everybody.

- This is the moment to attack. - Why now?

Because you are determined to evangelize the new lands.

Will you allow this by religious men

whose own rectitude would cause scandals?

Of course not.

But orders will rise up if I intervene against them.

As the nobles did when you wanted to suppress them to your own authority.

Did you fail to do it because of that?

To demand rectitude is the labor of Rome, not mine.

What kind of severity can the Holy Father give

when his own debauchery is superior?

I won't deny that you have reason here.

You, however, can provide an example.

Even moreso than any abbot or prior.

Start submitting to your control all monasteries.

Is this work so imposing to you?

And to whom would it not be?

Not to me.

I do apologize for the hour. We are night birds. Please, be seated.

Your words have made me think

would Castile really be a guarantee of fair evangelization?

To the queen it is as I told you: A mission of faith.

The hopes of Portugal are questionable

and the truth is that you people did support Columbus and not them.

Running the risk of financing a fantasy.

So then, Your Holiness.

Castile will have my blessing.

Your bull will silence the foreigners.

I thank thee on my lady's name.

\Ne understand this is something vital to your kingdom.

- Maybe the most vital thing. - Compensation should be worthy.

The queen is willing to give you fine goods from these lands.

That is much appreciated, but I have a different request.

If I pray for these new children of Christianity

how could I not do it for my own children?

It is my desire to marry my son with one of the king's daughters.

Whomever he pleases.

Are you thinking of giving up the habit?

My brother John would be the one who marries the princess.

In exchange for my unconditional blessing

do take haste in getting approval of your sires.

Our expert has foreseen this nuptial happening this year.

I thought your own position would not give in to such knowledge.

My dear friend

I never refuse that for which I can take something in return.

Your Majesty, Ferdinand is moving his armada up the Mediterranean.

Should I worry about our troops in Florence?

Naples is nearer.

Before that, they should cross Rome and the Aragonese will intervene.

That was the agreement in Barcelona.

Unless we make a pact with the pope so he renounces

being defended by Ferdinand.

A pact? Why?

I have suceeded with no effort in each Italian state.

Then we should open a new front to weaken him.

Have you lost your mind?

Are you proposing we split our forces?

Not exactly.

We should support Portugal in its aspirations over the Atlantic.

I do not need that kind of maneuver to have my victory.

What if His Holiness doesn't surrender?

If that corrupt Valentian resists invasion

I will lift my sword, and I will drop it with no hesitation.

Are you thinking of taking Rome by force?

I doubt you have assessed the consequences of this, Your Majesty.

One less degenerate ruling the church, that will be the consequence!

But if you attack a pontiff, all Christianity will rise up against us.

- England, Burgundy. - Never. They are our allies.

They will cease to be if you give them such an excuse.

They will have nothing better than the freeing of a pope.

Let's make a pact with them, Your Majesty.

Make a pact with a producer of bastards as vicious as he is?

I will teach the Holy Father the teachings of the faith.

With blood and fire!

You are delayed in your return.

Do you have the bull with you?

I have failed.

What is the reason?

Pope Alexander VI doesn't believe we have a right to those lands?

He is more of a believer in being compensated for the blessing.

I thought about that. I did authorize you to comply with his wishes.

This is the son of the Holy Father.

And?

And your future son-in-law if you wish for the bull to be granted.

I allowed the Frenchman to comment over the marriage of my children

but I will never accept anyone, not even the pope, imposing a marriage.

I was astonished when I heard his conditions.

These are children of kings! Should they marry anyone?

With the bastard of a pope who shelters this request on superstition? Never!

His boldness is great but

I fear it might get worse if he doesn't get satisfaction.

Do you think he would grant possession of the Indies to Portugal?

Of anything they can rent.

The Portuguese king will take advantage of

the pope's greed and lack of scruples.

Let's respond that we are in agreement with the marriage proposal.

But let's not settle on anything.

Let's wait for time to pass. This will be in our favor.

You're so certain?

Trust me.

Thank the Holy Father for reminding me about your proposal.

Evangelization cannot be left in the hands of a clergyman such as this pope.

From today, you have the position of provincial of the Franciscan Order.

I thank you for your trust, My Lady.

In my own domain, I have found the compliance he refuses to respect.

I worship your boldness.

And I ask you to restrain yours.

Be cautious.

I don't want the Franciscan monasteries

to be a matter of conflict for the crown.

My Lady.

- It will be unavoidable. - Act with calmness.

You must have tenacity.

I will do my best to avoid disputes.

On several occassions, my loyalty has been put in doubt

because of a stay in Lisboa that was caused only by misfortune.

So there, I hope this serves to ease your suspicions.

- What is this? - What the pope must endorse

to eradicate Portugal's aspirations over the new lands.

Please, explain. I know very little about maps.

To ensure that Rome will grant you any territory at least 100 leagues

from Azores and Cabo Verde toward the west and by noon.

Thank you, Admiral. We will take your recommendation into account.

As much as your good disposition.

Do tell us, have you advanced in the preparations for your next journey?

In order to comply with your wishes

I would need no less than 17 ships and 1,500 men.

Granted. When will you sail?

There is one more condition, My Lady.

This time I require the presence of women aboard the ships.

Would you want to have your wives go through such dearth?

I am afraid he is not speaking about wives, Your Highness.

Concubines?

Are you thinking of bringing the word of God in ships balanced by sin?

I won't get far if I lock up 1,500 men with no home for months.

- And where does that leave restraint? - Away from high seas, I can assure you.

I am not willing to rule over a pack of men wanting to revolt!

- You are to work with them! - I will not, Lady. I won't.

Concubines. He wants to take concubines on the ships.

I do not trust the admiral. You know this.

But I need to acknowledge his request

has a certain basis.

Isabel, they are men.

And not beasts.

They can control their desires.

Do you believe these sailors, born into taverns

- are as virtuous as yourself? - I know they are not.

But then Castile should endulge them with a brothel?

What is certain is that the lack of relief can grate on the kindest of men.

It is better to avoid mutinies. Or worse actions.

What actions are you talking about?

In the Indies, there is no need for clothing.

When these men disembark and see women so exposed

whatever they didn't sin at sea, they will sin on land.

We cannot allow such depravity!

These shadows represent Castile in the Indies.

Then accept the proposal as the lesser of evils.

The journey has been waiting for too long now.

My first act as provintial of the Franciscans

should be to visit the monasteries.

So you went for that instead of summoning the priors?

I'd rather see things with my own eyes.

I believe it is fair.

I will give you a company to join you on your hard and long journey.

No. I really thank you, but no.

I will walk alone, and I will eat what I can beg for.

On those roads? You are confessor to the queen.

- I cannot allow it. - Very well.

I might accept some company. But a brother.

Who?

There's a young man from Toledo in the choir, who has a lovely voice

and he could ease my journey.

As you wish. Have you informed the queen?

If she made me a provintial it was to delegate to me these matters.

Why bother her?

So be it.

Brother, are you sure you don't wish to ride for a moment?

The pain in my feet is a joy for my soul.

You are what the books call an ascetic.

You only know about suffering from what you hear about it.

In this monastery you come from, is that not custom?

For any suffering, there is always quick remedy.

You know running away from physical pain

means being closer to the pleasures of the flesh?

I'm an ascetic, not a prude.

I can hear about any naughtiness you have to tell me about.

There is a long way to go.

If I'm going to be honest, I do regret something.

I wish I had taken the habit sooner.

Do you enjoy monastic life that much?

There is food aplenty.

Nobles share their celebrations with us.

And there isn't much time invested in prayer.

And this relaxation does not disappoint you?

Doesn't it go against the reasons for which you took the vows?

Quite the opposite. I entered the convent to not be hungry or suffer.

There was too much of that at home.

The journey will be even longer than I thought.

To Don Ferdinand, king of Aragon.

As I write this

Charles of France advances unstoppable and with tyranny over Italian fields.

He was just crowned in Florence.

And as fruit of his tyranny and delirium

he has burned books, jewels and many paintings.

Some by the famed painter, Botticelli.

He claims to be the only warrantor of the faith in Italy.

Without a doubt he wishes to finish me as soon as he arrives in Rome.

Do provide the help you promised

to defend the Papal States, pillars of Christianity.

It was a warning to leave tonight from Alicante towards Ostia.

The Sicilian garrison is leaving now from Viterbo

to intercept the advancement of the French king.

Delay everything. It still isn't the time.

My Lord, Charles of France will soon be at the gates of Rome.

- It is only a matter of days. - I know.

But our troops will not act until I wish for them to do so.

Do not have the pope in your prayers. I'd rather have God forsake him.

At least for a while.

Chacon.

Chacon.

Why didn't you voice your opinion against the king's decision?

There are few things he allows advice on, and this is not one of them.

But the pact is to defend the pope.

And he will in time.

He wants the Holy Father to despair, so he will cease in his demands.

He is playing with fire. And everything is possible with this pope.

What do you mean?

If he sees Ferdinand's lack of support as treason

he will make sure we receive our punishment.

Come in.

My Lady.

Go ahead.

Are you aware of your husband's intentions

regarding the defense of Rome?

Of course.

Don't you think it's a risky proposition?

Give me another way to avoid the Holy Father

imposing that unacceptable marriage on us.

I don't know this, but are you aware of the risk?

If Portugal gets the right over the lands...

They won't be able to.

The pope won't dare to give his back on to with the French king so close.

Are you certain?

I've been living in uncertainty for 20 years.

From the day I started to rule.

You know this well.

But this is the decision of the king. And you and I must trust him.

I wish nothing more than to set my children free of this evil marriage.

- However... - Calm down.

I know the man before the pope.

So you know he's unpredictable. And mean.

And selfish.

You think he'll care more about what he owns than about saving his own life.

Soon you will have the bull you desire most

without having to forsake one of your children.

I can assure you of this.

I pray that you are right about this.

[Convent of San Francisco, Valladolid.]

- Is he expecting our visit? - No.

Too bad. Since you're provincial, we would have gotten a nice reception.

Good afternoon, brother.

I am the new provincial for the order.

I have decided to honor you with my visit.

What visit?

We received no notice.

Your provincial needs permission to visit your monastery?

This is a place for seclusion.

Surprises are not welcome.

When you agree on an appointment, we will receive you.

Are you refusing to receive me?

How do you...?

What are you hiding?

Open up immediately!

Pharisee.

Run!

'French forces have invaded the Papal States.

Rome is in grave danger.

I kneel before thee to beg for help.'

This is what you have been waiting for, My Lord.

For the hand of the Holy Father to tremble as he wrote to us.

The time has come.

You will heed the Holy See. We will defend the pope from the invaders.

But we will dictate the conditions ourselves.

Do you know what this is?

You have incited all the Franciscan priors of Castile. And me as well!

I did let you know that the conflict was unavoidable.

Unavoidable was to appear in person with no prior warning?

To accuse a prior of hiding who knows what vile deeds?

I trusted this was an invention to disqualify you.

But you are not denying it.

It would mean lacking in truth.

You know I agree with your ideas about compliance.

But I asked for softer methods.

How can I ease what you've set on fire?

The priors are upset because they're afraid I'll reveal their faults.

Because many of them know they are unworthy of the habits.

You demand obedience from them, but you won't obey me!

You did not fulfill your promise.

Then allow me to fulfill your order.

And don't worry. I will do so respecting the wishes of the crown.

Where are your lord's troops hiding? I have been waiting weeks for them.

Sicily's garrison will arrive in Rome today.

Our armada has set sail from Alicante and Cartagena to your shores.

Understand my patience. I have never doubted your lord.

In exchange for the help, you will grant Castile

all rights to overseas territory

with no other conditions.

Your Holiness.

None of my lord's daughters will be married to your offspring.

I told you this was not negotiable.

The princess in exchange for the benefits of the conquest.

Any unfair condition is excessive. But do not worry.

My lords have found a way to compensate you.

Does this mean your lord believes I can't get concubines of my own?

Do not offend Maria Enriquez de Luna.

She is the cousin of King Ferdinand of Aragon

and the future wife of your son.

The lady shouldn't feel that her pride is being hurt

but her dignity is not enough for my brother.

I'm afraid you are not in a position to have so many qualms.

The nobility of Rome

is awaiting the arrival of the French king with open arms.

I don't see any Portuguese around.

Just US.

You will have the papal bull.

And to you, welcome to the Borja family.

Leave me.

At last.

The pope is granting Castile, by the grace of God

all lands west of this line.

- This includes the lands already found. - In exchange for?

The Catholic faith should be impassioned as well as the salvation of the souls

and for the barbarian nations to be defeated and subdued to this faith.

You have done wonderful work.

I waited so long for this papal bull that I cannot wait to make use of it.

But my wish is for you to leave for Portugal.

On what mission?

This news won't be received with joy.

Ease the upset of the king, and remind him we are fraternal kingdoms.

This is a difficult mission, for sure.

- I will do as you say. - I thank thee.

Come with me.

Have the friar come in.

Your Highness.

Bernardo Buil, am I correct?

At your service.

Tell me, why does your order call yourselves Minims?

Because we are so insignificant among religious men, Your Highness.

Can the most insignificant men accept the biggest of burdens?

Just as insects do.

But I am not sure I understand what you mean.

It is my desire that you provide a great service for me.

Are you willing to do so?

Of course.

Although I do not know on what matter I may be of use.

Admiral.

This is Bernardo Buil

friar of the order of the Minims.

He will accompany you on your journey.

He will lead evangelization on our behalf.

He will lend you all the help you need

so the souls of your men are appeased at sea.

With all due respect, Your Highness

my request meant something quite different.

And that request I am not willing to consent.

You know of my terms.

It is you who needs me on the ocean, not me who desires it.

Enough of this.

Confess now the reason behind all these obstacles.

What could it be according to you?

You are delaying your journey so Juan of Portugal can prepare his own.

Calling me a traitor is becoming a habit of yours.

You forget how much I've done for Castile.

Very little compared to what you received in return!

Your Highness, I cannot set sail

under the flag of someone who offends me.

Stop him!

This will be the only time I will ask for my husband's words to be ignored.

But if I do this, so as not to lose the man

that is turning my kingdom into an empire, so be it.

My Lady, I don't know what else to do to have the grace of some people.

The pope has granted Castile rights to the new lands

with the terms you requested.

Your flag is that of Castile.

And Castile, who is I

believes in you. Never forget this.

How can I deny anything to you?

No one, ever, has trusted me so much.

Not even myself.

I will never betray you.

In this expedition there will be no woman

except the one giving it her blessing.

That is you, My Lady.

Give me the order, and I will cross the ocean again for Castile

and her beloved queen.

Bartolome!

The queen is our guardian angel.

Nothing will get in our way.

Nothing. Nothing!

[Port of Cadiz.]

How can that papal bull disregard what was already signed?

Your Highness, you know His Holiness

has the power to contradict our treaties.

What could be expected of an insolent Valentian pope?

Believe me, the papal benevolence is smaller than you think.

It's enough to make fun of my rights!

Your Highness, Castile financed the journey you rejected.

There is no mockery, only justice.

Is Columbus setting sail for the Indies again?

\Ne do not wish to cause any harm, Your Highness.

Our kingdoms are brothers.

Has he set sail or not?

The papal bull legitimizes the journey.

And you are coming here

appealing to our neighborhood and the blood that brings us together?

You will have the response you deserve.

What do you mean?

From this day forth

my armada will block your ships from setting sail for the Atlantic.

On what grounds?

You deny our treaty, I deny the papal bull.

Any ship with Castile or Aragon's flag crossing our seas

will be aprehended or defeated.

And this means what?

That the expedition led by Columbus has set sail from Castile

but he may not be able to return.

For every ship of ours they destoy, a hundred of them will burn!

With what armada? The one you sent to Rome to fight Charles?

- There are still soldiers in Castile! - Not enough to win two wars.

What do you propose? Surrender?

Of course not.

But if we cannot afford a war, we may need to negotiate.

Negotiate? On what terms?

To get to an agreement based on the papal bull.

And give up what has been granted to us by justice?

It burdens me. But I'll do it.

I'd rather do this than for Columbus to never return

or not be able to have any future expeditions.

- Getting the papal bull has been hell. - It is vital to keep the peace.

That is not the pope's task, but ours.

As beneficiary of that bull

in this case, it is a task for Castile.

[Tordesillas.]

A welcoming smile would be nice.

Be thankful I am not drawing my sword.

Your Highness.

I assume your heavy conscience for your abuse is the subject of our meeting.

That is not the case.

So perhaps your problems with France?

Nothing nor anyone is forcing us to negotiate with you.

This encounter is not because of our remorse.

It is because of your intolerant attitude.

You are rejecting our rights granted by the papal bull

and you are threatening our ships.

Have I come here to parlay or to be reprehended?

If we are together here today, Your Highness

it is because my generosity is seemingly infinite.

But I warn you, it is not.

Thank you for coming.

I do require your services.

To what end, if I may ask?

To comply with a royal mandate. And see it be done.

A mandate instructed by the queen before traveling to Tordesillas.

That is correct. Earlier than that.

Tell me, how can I be of service?

The first is to have a notary come here.

[Tordesillas.]

We can save ourselves long hours of tedious conversation

if you agree to what we signed in Alcagovas.

Should I read the treaty?

As you wish.

'That in matters regarding the seas

all that has been found or will be found, conquered or discovered

will belong to Portugal, from the Canary Islands and down.'

The islands you found are below this line, so they belong to us.

If you mean to read our treaties, Your Highness, do so properly.

Or try to deceive someone more forgetful than me.

The lands discovered are of Portugal, Canary Islands and down, against Guinea.

Your right is limited to the African coast.

That route to the Indies is not in conflict.

There was nothing said about the route to the west.

Those lands belong to us now by the grace of His Holiness.

Of course the treaty was signed before you found those isles.

Therefore the treaty of Alcacovas is of no use here.

Do you agree?

I beg your forgiveness. I must speak privately with my advisors.

I am coming.

You denied entrance to your provincial.

Will you also close the doors to the crown?

In the name of the queen, I am ordering you to open the gates of your monastery!

Here you go.

I assure you these young women are here to perform the work you are seeing.

Take note of the prior's explanations.

He may need to answer to the queen herself.

Take note of everything.

This was a cave for prayer

and you turned it into a cave of sin!

Get out of here, whores!

And you, sinner, hiding under the habit!

The most despicable of traitors before God.

Brother, have mercy!

Public shame will be the lighter punishment for your perversion.

I will not free you from closure

until you purge your sins with tears!

His Highness. King Juan II of Portugal.

Let's put the treaty of Alcacovas aside.

Castile may set sail under the line of the Canary Islands.

I am glad your good judgement has accepted the validity of the papal bull.

Not at all. We do not accept the line traced upon the sea.

100 leagues to the west of Cabo Verde is not enough.

There is nothing between that line and the African coast. We know this.

Very well. Let it be 150.

May this be the new border that will divide our rights.

250 leagues to the west of Cabo Verde.

Please us in this matter or I will make my threats effective.

I wish you dare to.

Why don't we solve this now? Between gentlemen.

Gentlemen? Don't think so highly of yourself.

That admiral of yours told him something.

Something that is affecting us!

The truth is, it is hard to understand why this demand came out of the blue.

Where we see water, he knows there is land there, and not just any land.

- More valuable than the Columbus ones. - Much more.

That's why he prefers them over ours!

Why did he insist on having the lines 100 leagues from the coast?

I do not know, Isabel. Maybe out of regret.

Or because he saw the pope will be on our side.

He sells his knowledge to the highest bidder. His greed knows no bounds.

The investment in this new voyage has been enormous and now...

Perhaps he plans on returning to Portugal.

Or perhaps the armada of King Juan will wait for him to get him to a safe port.

I cannot believe I gave my trust and fortune to a traitor.

- It cannot be. - Believe me

I would like for this not to be true.

I wish to have a word with you alone.

I find it difficult to get into disputes with my own family.

It is more common to fight with relatives than with strangers.

Even more so if each carries the crown of a kingdom.

But we must be honest.

Why are you so intent on having something

that doesn't even appear on the map?

Why did you finance the journey of this man toward the unknown?

Because I believed in him.

Do you have Columbus at your service?

I thought we were fighting about lands, not men.

I am willing to give in to the leagues you want

if you respect the agreement Castile has with its admiral.

My kingdom has enough extraordinary seamen.

I don't need yours at all.

Then you will allow for his expedition to return.

And you won't create obstacles for any future ones.

Of course.

As long as you accept my terms.

The open route from your admiral leads to terra incognita.

Who knows what else is there?

Portugal won't allow only Castile to enjoy this.

\Ne will sign the treaty.

But we both know of the bitter consequences of breaking it.

You have my word.

- What do you know? - Columbus is loyal to Castile.

His ships will return. Now and forever.

In exchange for?

In the name of Castile, I grant you the line to be traced

at 250 leagues of Cabo Verde.

I accept.

As long as you guarantee that Melilla and Cazaza will be Castilian.

That is unacceptable. That kingdom belongs to us!

Take your time and think about it.

Neither Africa or the Indies will be going away.

I thought we had reached an agreement.

- Is your husband speaking for you? - He speaks for Castile.

The only difference between us is the tone.

Don't ever again leave me in ridicule!

The word of the queen of Castile is sacred!

I would never contradict you.

Only added something.

I am not in the mood for jokes.

Why are you so keen on sharing the Atlantic with King Juan?

Let me safeguard our interests in the Mediterranean.

And if he doesn't accept?

So be it.

Portugal won't oppose the domain of Castile over Melilla and Cazaza.

These are small settlements.

Strategic ones to control the Mediterranean.

Will you give in on the Atlantic for something that was not worthy?

In exchange for it, they should be 370 leagues west of Cabo Verde.

Granted.

[Treaty of Tordesillas, June 7, 1494.]

A den of gluttony and lust.

That was what the monastery had become.

This document supports how my suspicions turned out to be true.

I promised to act upon the uses of the crown, Your Highness.

And so I did.

You mean you used the instruments of the crown, and in my absence.

Should I wait for your return?

By what I read, that would have changed nothing.

What are you thinking of doing about this?

From this day forth, compliance will be forced for Franciscans here.

You will open the gates for me to scrutinize or else

you will be replaced as priors.

These demands are backed by Queen Isabel, whom you must obey.

You think it is the work of the provincial

to influence the crown and not otherwise.

But my only obedience

is the service to God.

And I should thank your obedience as well.

[Amboise, France.]

Your Highness.

What clause says that the world should belong

to the Spaniards and Portuguese?

Ambassador, take a seat.

I have never encountered such a valuable document.

However, I know by heart the terms of the treaty you signed in Barcelona.

That does not apply to me. You should do good by reminding me.

Reading makes me exhausted. Can you do it for me?

Please.

Don Ferdinand of Aragon and Charles, king of France, by the grace of God

agree that Castile will have in its kingdom

the lands of Roussillon and Sardinia.

- Fine, fine, that is fine. - Proceed.

Aragon will not intervene in the conflict with France over Italy.

Bravo, bravo.

Aragon promises to keep vigilance of the holy place of Rome

before an invasion or attack of any nation.

Including yours, Your Highness.

It is better this way. What else?

Your Highness, if you are not willing to fulfill what was promised

neither will we.

Aragon is not forced to respect your advances.

The next time our kingdoms meet

will be on the battlefield.

My Lord, I do not regret my decision, but perhaps you may think I rushed

and that I may have been able to renegotiate the treaty

No one could have avoided this.

If we had to get to this

I am glad it was by showing your pride.

You have great courage before a king.

Have the troops of Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba advance toward the French.

Have the Sicilian army do the same.

Anything else?

Pray for our destiny in this war.

I should thank you for avoiding battle with Portugal.

Two fronts at the same time would have been difficult to take.

I am proud I was able to negotiate it.

But I do not know if the agreement was for our own good.

Why? Did we give in something we should have kept?

How can we know this?

King Juan wanted to measure you.

We should not give in so easily.

I would have done the same.

I trust you are right.

But no one knows what separates that line.

Have we given the most fruitful lands?

We will know soon.

Let's keep our confidence.

Our worth has always been valued by God.

And if there is nothing beyond what was conquered

we have secured the Mediterranean

to which we are certain of its existence.

Is this not enough to you?

No.

Sometimes your ambition exceeds mine.

Is not only ambition.

It is the desire to be right in my hunch.

What hunch?

The one telling me that there is something enormous ahead of us.

Gonzalo's armies are stationed in Reggio, ready to attack.

Columbus went for an expedition more than three months ago.

We have not heard of him since.

You are thinking about failure before the first battle.

Cardinal Mendoza has died.

I cannot be archbishop of Toledo.

Cardinal Mendoza himself insisted you should succeed him.

The bishop of Badajoz awaits you.

Glory awaits us in Rome.

Call the guards. Search for him and bring him to me now.

I want for the king of France

to recognize me publicly as pope, king of Rome and vicar of Christ on Earth.

You, children of kings

you are destined to seal and strengthen relations

of the kingdoms with our allies.

The French have defeated one army.

I understand why we must go together on this.

You should be the queen of Castile and Aragon.

Our son feels the burden of the crown before wearing it himself.

You will crown me as king of Naples, and you will do this today.

I cannot do such a thing.

I will put the fate of our children in your hands.

May the sacrifice we ask upon them

be for the good of Castile and Aragon.

Announce to the ambassador my committment with Juana.

The queen should know nothing of this.

No one should give her news of Columbus until the licenses are approved.

They are prisoners of war.

War? What war are you talking about?

That dog from Aragon has put everyone against me!

Do you want me to calm down? Bring me his head!