Summary
In 16th-century England, a young heiress named Dorothy Vernon is bound by a contractual agreement to marry John Manners, the son of the Earl of Rutland, on her 18th birthday. However, when rumors of John's debauched behavior in France surface, Dorothy's father, Sir George Vernon, attempts to renege on the arrangement, opting instead to secure her future with her cousin Malcolm. This decision precipitates a crisis, as the Earl of Rutland demands the agreed-upon forfeit, while John, now acquainted with the treasonous Mary Stuart, becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens the very fabric of Elizabeth's reign.
Synopsis
In the year 1550, Sir George Vernon agrees to have his young daughter Dorothy betrothed to John Manners, the son of the Earl of Rutland. Sir George signs a contract, promising that the marriage will take place on Dorothy's 18th birthday, or else he will have to pay a large penalty to Rutland. But when the two children have grown older, rumors of John's wild behavior in France provoke Sir George to call off the engagement, and to pledge his daughter instead to her cousin Malcolm. Rutland now claims the forfeit from Sir George, and meanwhile, John has befriended Mary Stuart, the sworn enemy of Elizabeth, who is now Queen of England.
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