"THE ENGLISH ROSE"
Written by Taylor Leann Matthews
First draft: December, 2019
Special thanks to my family & friends, Anneli Ahlmann, Lauren Roberts, Sidharth Paparaju and our world's history for continuing to inspire me.
Some historical events have been changed and/or altered in order to fit the dramatization.
FADE IN: TITLE SEQUENCE
White and red rose petals falling genuinely and softly.
FADE IN:
THE ENGLISH ROSE.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. COURT OF HAINAULT / FRANCE - SUNNY
The court of Hainault in France, the region in the low countries. There is a big open field of grass, surrounding the castle, a pond towards the start of the tree line of the woods. The capstone of the castle is old, but sturdy. It has vines growing around the walls.
CUT TO:
EXT. OPEN FIELDS / BEHIND THE CASTLE - 1327
A young and beautiful classy woman is running down the fields holding up her lengthy dress, she is PHILIPPA OF HAINAULT.
Philippa turns her head around as her sister, JOANNA OF HAINAULT is running behind her, holding up her equally lengthy dress. Philippa turns her head back around and speeds up, dropping a bit of her dress to the ground.
PHILIPPA
You are not fast enough!
Joanna speeds up her pace.
Philippa turns her head back around to see how far Joanna is away from her. Philippa then trips over a log and falls down a small hill. Joanna stops after seeing Philippa fall, she then runs to the hill and looks over to see Philippa on the ground.
JOANNA
(Chuckles)
I guess you are too fast, sister.
Philippa sits up, brushing the dirt off her shoulders, then her face.
RING! RING! RING! Philippa and Joanna lookup, hearing the sound of the bells, they know that English royalty has arrived at the court of Hainault. Philippa gets nervous.
JOANNA (Cont'd)
I won.
Joanna starts running to the castle.
PHILIPPA
No!
Philippa climbs up the small hill, and then runs back to the castle, following behind Joanna.
CUT TO:
EXT. GATEHOUSE / COURT OF HAINAULT
JEANNE OF VALOIS, COUNTESS OF HAINAULT is standing by the open castle doors, waiting for Philippa and Joanna.
JOANNA
Hello, mother.
Jeanne smiles at Joanna, she then runs through the open door.
Philippa tries to run past Jeanne with hopes of not being stopped, but Jeanne grabs her arm and pulls her back before she can go any further.
JEANNE
(Concerned)
Philippa, your dress.
PHILIPPA
(Out of breath)
I am sorry mother. I fell.
Jeanne sighs, she aggressively rubs the dirt off of Philippa's dress.
JEANNE
I have raised girls Philippa, not boys, you are not a boy, do you understand?
YOU ARE READING
The English Rose
Historical FictionThe story of Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault comes to life in this original screenplay written by Taylor Leann Matthews. Young Philippa meets her soon to be King Edward III, however, what she doesn't know is that she has been pushed...
