The year 1539, and the court of Henry VIII is walking on eggshells with an aging, moody, sick King that has to take another wife. And the competition is stiff. The game is on for any lady that thinks she can bag the crown jewels to become the next Queen of England.
Anne of Cleves gets to the prize first, but she soon finds low hanging fruit can make a rotten meal. Anne’s maid in waiting, Katherine Howard, is encouraged by her family to follow in the footsteps of her cousin Anne Boleyn and sleep her way to the throne past the current Queen.
Her kinswoman and advisor, Jane Boleyn, though is still haunted by the Boleyn penchant for betrayal, suspicion and death and has to navigate the volatile court of Henry as best she can. The sights, smells and dastardly intrigue of sixteenth century England is vividly brought to life. And it reeks deliciously.