Aqueenwholostthreekingdoms.Awifewholostthreehusbands.Awomanwholostherhead.MaryQueenofScotsspendsherchildhoodinFranceandismeanttobecomealsoQueenofFrance.However,herailinghusbanddiesandtheyoungwidowreturnsalonetoScotland,acountrydevastatedbywar.ElizabethhasjustbecomeQueenofEngland,forMarysheislikeatwinsistertowhomshecanopenherheart.Marywedsagainandgivesbirthtoanheirtothethrown.Hersecondhusband,LordDarnley,provestobeaweakling.WhenMaryfindstheloveofherlife,theEarlofBothwell,shehasDarnleymurderedandmarriesBothwell.Horrifiedbythisdeedandtheblindpassionthatmotivatedit,boththenoblesandthepeopleofScotlandspurnher.Toavertabloodybattle,MaryiscompelledtogiveupherbelovedBothwell.Indesperatestraits,sheturnstoElizabethforhelp.Inresponse,theQueenofEnglandimprisonsher.After19yearsspentinagoldencage,Maryfindsreleaseatlast:Elizabethsendshertotheblock.