Episode 10: Interlock
Seventeen years later Isabelle visits Drayton Manor and is greeted by Bardolfe. All parties are reconciled. In a final act of love, Cynewyn brings Le Roi to visit his master for the last time.
A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.
When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!
I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.
O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents.
When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects.
Seventeen years later Isabelle visits Drayton Manor and is greeted by Bardolfe. All parties are reconciled. In a final act of love, Cynewyn brings Le Roi to visit his master for the last time.
Thurstan negotiates Cynewyn’s release, William confronts Odo, and Thurstan asks Cynewyn to be his wife. On the ride back to Drayton, the lovers quarrel, then are unexpectedly attacked.
Aelfgyva and Vital wed and, Bardolfe begs Cynewyn to abandon her risky plan. At the feast and big reveal of the Bayeux Tenture, all hell breaks loose when Cynewyn’s revenge is discovered. Odo denies any misconduct, and William threatens maiming as punishment for slander against his brother.
Thurstan and Cynewyn become better acquainted. Turold buys the freedom of Count Eustace’s grandson at Dover Castle, Aelfgyva’s baby is stolen just before her wedding with Vital, and Cynewyn plots revenge on Odo.
In the aftermath of Odo’s assault, Bardolfe, one of William’s knights, pledges undying protection to Cynewyn. Her cousin Morcar nearly loses his life and Aelfgyva reveals that she and Captain Vital are to wed. Turold leaves on a secret mission for the Queen and Thurstan returns to England, at last.
Aelfgyva, a sweet Saxon seamstress, suffers from sexual assault by King William’s brother Bishop Odo in the cell next to Cynewyn . Aelfgyva and Captain Vital connect while Turold, dwarf jongleur, entertainer and spy for Queen Edith, arrives and lightens the mood. Bishop Odo has evil intentions.
At the Abbey, Cynewyn struggles to create the images for the Bayeux Tenture while Thurstan wanders across Europe, Russia and Turkey looking for hunting birds. At the Emperor’s palace in Constantinople, Thurstan finally faces his past and is tempted to join the Varangian Guard.
Cynewyn loses her baby in a tragic accident caused by Thurstan. At the same time, Isabelle is safely delivered of her son, who she rejects and refuses to care for. Before she runs away to her Abbey in Normandy, Isabelle arranges for Cynewyn to leave Drayton for the court of Queen Edith.
Cynewyn successfully pleads for food for her people, who are slowly starving because of the predations of Thurstan’s men. Thurstan’s wife Isabelle, who is pregnant, arrives from Normandy but is deeply unhappy to be in England. Then, tragedy strikes.