1559. Elizabeth has been on the throne for six months and life in England seems newly golden. The young queen insists on a merry round of parties for her summer, and her personal musician, Kate Haywood, is kept busy playing music for the dancing and the masques....

The European delegates attending Queen Elizabeth\"s Christmas festivities at Whitehall Palace are more interested in fostering mistrust than they are in peace on Earth and goodwill towards men. Kate, the queen\"s personal musician, hopes she can keep the royal guests entertained....