King & Conqueror

Episode 1

Invitation

Sun, Aug 24, 2025

In 11th-century England, after a decade of civil war, peace has been achieved between the earldoms of Wessex, Mercia, and Northumbria. In Normandy, William (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) is at war with Guy of Brionne. Despite the reservations of King Henry, William leaves to attend the coronation of his cousin Edward (Eddie Marsan) in England. Harold Godwinson (James Norton) finds evidence that the Mercians have resumed raiding and reports his findings to his father, Godwin, Earl of Wessex, who dismisses Harold's concerns to keep the peace. After arriving in England, William is saved by Harold from a group of bandits. William's wife, Matilda (Clémence Poésy), captures Guy, who informs her that Henry had William's father killed to prevent him from allying with England. Upon receiving news of Guy's capture, Henry launches an invasion of Normandy. During Edward's coronation, Harold's wife, Edith (Emily Beecham), learns from Edward's wife, Gunhild (Bo Bragason), that Edward's mother, Lady Emma (Juliet Stevenson), has initiated the Mercian raids to provoke Wessex into war. Emma publicly declares that Edward will not father any children, angering Godwin, who married his daughter to Edward so Wessex would control the future of the throne. Emma then orders the Mercians to attack Dover, while William returns to Normandy amid Henry's invasion.