The epic saga of "King & Conqueror" unfolds in its inaugural episode, set against the backdrop of the year 1043, a decade prior to the fateful Battle of Hastings. At this critical juncture, the most formidable earldoms of the realm—Wessex, Mercia, and Northumbria—converge to anoint a novel monarch. Across the Channel, in Normandy, William returns from the throes of war to the comforting embrace of his wife, Matilda. His trusted bodyguard, FitzOsbern, tends to his battle scars as Matilda breaks the news: William has received an invitation to witness the coronation of his cousin, Edward, in England. Despite years of estrangement from his kin, William resolves to make his presence felt at this pivotal ceremony.
Meanwhile, in the heart of Wessex, Harold is appalled to discover that Mercia has violated the fragile peace accord that had momentarily stilled the animosity between the feuding realms of France. He rushes to inform his father, Earl Godwin, but his pleas fall on deaf ears. Godwin, steadfast in his resolve to uphold the sanctity of the peace treaty, refuses to countenance Harold's desire for retribution, fearing it would tarnish the family's esteemed name. He reminds Harold that his sister is married to Edward and poised to become the mother of England's future ruler. Gytha, Godwin's wife, gently urges her husband to exhibit patience and encouragement towards Harold, who is striving valiantly under the circumstances.
In Normandy, the dramatic scene shifts as William's feudal overlord and maternal uncle, King Henry of France, pays him a visit. His request is grim: to behold the severed head of Guy of Brionne. William is dismayed to learn that Guy has eluded capture, disappointing Henry further. He commands his men to scour the land in search of the fugitive.
As night descends, Henry reveals a startling revelation to William: that his paternal aunt, Queen Emma, mother of Edward, had deserted him following the demise of his father, Duke Robert. This revelation casts a long shadow over William's impending journey to England, setting the stage for an intricate tapestry of ambition, betrayal, and destiny that promises to unfold in the ensuing episodes of "King & Conqueror."
As William conveys to Henry his intentions to accompany him, the latter's demeanor darkens with distress. Henry vows to deploy his soldiers in search of Guy, a mission that stirs Matilda's suspicions. She vows to track down Guy herself, determined to outpace Henry's men.
In the realm of Wessex, Harold reassures his beloved Edith, pledging his undying devotion and vowing never to wed another. Meanwhile, William and his entourage face a sudden onslaught by Mercians in Dover. Out of the blue, Harold emerges, heroically repelling the assailants and safeguarding the lives of William and FitzOsbern.
Harold endeavors to illuminate Godwin on the Mercians' renewed aggression, but his efforts fall on deaf ears. Godwin, instead, exacts a promise from Harold to abstain from interfering in political affairs. Edith warns of Merica's potential to devastate their family unless Harold takes a firm stance.
Amidst these tensions, William's men manage to secure Guy of Brionne ahead of Henry's soldiers. Matilda subjects Guy to brutal interrogation, seeking the truth behind Henry's desire for his demise. Guy confesses to Matilda that Henry tasked him with assassinating Duke Robert, William's father, driven by a perpetual fear of Normandy forging an alliance with England.
Upon discovering Matilda's capture of Guy, Henry commands his troops to invade Normandy and eliminate William. In England, Lady Emma, now widowed and holding the title of Lady, warmly welcomes her nephew William. Edward introduces William to his spouse, Gunhild, Godwin's daughter. William learns of Emma's aspiration for an alliance with Normandy and her plea for his support in toppling Wessex and Earl Godwin.
The dinner unfolds awkwardly, with Lady Emma ridiculing Edward and extolling her other son, Aethe, as a far more worthy king. After Emma's departure, Edward cautions William, urging him to relocate his ship from Dover. William, swayed by doubt, instructs FitzOsbern to move the ship, acknowledging Henry's earlier wisdom and regretting his attendance at the coronation.
During the coronation ceremony, it transpires that Lady Emma instructed Morcar, Earl of Mercia, to launch an assault on Wessex. Emma introduces William to Godwin and his sons, among whom Harold recognizes him from their Dover encounter. Harold requests an audience with Gunhild, but Emma claims her indisposition, adding another layer of intrigue to the already tumultuous proceedings.
Edith stealthily infiltrates Gunhild's sanctuary, uncovering the concealed schemes of Lady Emma aimed at the destruction of Wessex. She discovers a sinister conspiracy between Lady Emma and Edward, who desires to instigate Godwin to violate the peace treaty, thereby undermining the stability of their realm.
Following Edward's coronation, Lady Emma drops a bombshell, revealing that Gunhild is doomed never to bear the heir to the English throne. This revelation incenses Godwin and sets off a chain of events that plunges the court into tumultuous disarray.
In a clandestine encounter, Harold confronts William and pleads with him to reciprocate the favor of saving his life by exposing Edward's true intentions. William confides in Harold, disclosing that Edward had previously forewarned him about suspicious activities in Dover, implying underhand dealings afoot. Harold rushes back to Wessex, imploring Godwin to take heed of his earlier warnings, but to no avail. Frustrated, he sets off for Dover to uncover the mystery himself.
As the episode draws to a close, Matilda imparts a poignant truth to William, unmasking Henry's betrayal and his usurpation of Normandy, leaving a poignant and complex tale hanging in the air.
