Continuing the epic story of Henry ii, Europe's most powerful medieval king, and his beautiful and daring wife Eleanor of Aquitaine - a tale of passionate struggle and murderous betrayal from the heart of the middle ages England, God's year 1156, and Henry and Eleanor are battling to keep hold of the crown. Warring with the Welsh and Eleanor's aggrieved first husband, the French King, Henry needs all the allies he can find. But when he arranges for his friend and confidant Thomas Becket to become archbishop of Canterbury he makes a terrible mistake. For Becket embraces his new role as defender of the Faith and turns his back on Henry. One bad decision is swiftly followed by another when Henry seeks solace in the arms of Rosamund Clifford, a comely young baron's daughter. Alienating his proud and passionate Queen and finding himself in an impossible position with his former friend, Henry realises too late that all he and his wife have sought to build may come toppling down . . .
