It is the month of July, and the year is 1553. Henry VIII is in his grave, and the boy king Edward VI rules England, and a crafty Duke of Northumberland rules Edward. There are reports from London that the young king's health is failing, and the news reaches the princess Elizabeth at her country home. The princess, half sister to the King and daughter of Henry VIII fair to look upon and not yet twenty, has received word that he wishes to see her, but as the bells begin to ring, she realises that she is too late...