Marie Stuart

Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots imprisoned in England for eighteen years, is accused of plotting against Queen Elizabeth. Mary, a Catholic, represents a threat to Elizabeth's Protestant reign, as some consider her the rightful heir to the English throne. She sought an audience with Elizabeth to plead her case. The latter, torn between her duty as queen and her personal doubts, hesitates to order Mary's execution, fearing to tarnish her own image and encourage the anger of European Catholics.