S01. E01: The Second Son

[T Summer]

Mary Villiers’ cruel and abusive husband, Sir George Villiers, is dead and has left Mary and her family destitute. With Mary’s eldest son, John, unable to marry into wealth, Mary decides to send her beautiful but petulant second son George off to France to learn the ways of the Royal Court and return an eligible bachelor.

Meanwhile, Mary, who in George’s absence has married the reliable, but unremarkable, Sir Thomas Compton, spots an opportunity to rise when she hears the King may visit. But Mary’s plan to impress the King is scuppered when Somerset makes excuses to prevent anyone from meeting the King. Mary senses a rift in the King and Somerset’s relationship and spies an opening for George.

Once George returns from France older, wiser and dirtier, Mary, puts in to plan the opportunity for George to get close to the King as a cupbearer at a Royal feast. She knows the King has a soft spot for beautiful young men. This is their opportunity to rise.