Elizabeth's advisors try to select the perfect suitor to secure England's stability. When she learns that her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, has been widowed and may now return to try and take the throne, Elizabeth starts to see the seriousness of the situation. However she is adamant that she can rule alone. She continues to flirt with Dudley, but his wife dies and rumours fly around that she was murdered so Dudley and the Queen can marry. Elizabeth sees that her connection with Dudley is dangerous, and refuses him when he proposes.

Elizabeth is struck down with smallpox. She seems to be at death's door, and her advisors beg her to name a successor. At the height of her illness she names Dudley, much to everyone's horror. When she recovers she asks Dudley to marry Mary Queen of Scots, to attempt to neutralise her threat to the throne, but he fails. Mary instead marries an English nobleman and strengthens her claim to the English throne.

Walsingham, Elizabeth's spymaster, uncovers details of a plot to replace Elizabeth with Mary. He has letters that prove the Duke of Norfolk is involved. Elizabeth confronts the Duke with the evidence and has him committed to the tower.


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