[1] The plot of Bátori Mária is based indirectly on the tragic story of Inês de Castro, the lover and posthumously recognized wife of King Peter I of Portugal.
King Kálmán and his court are preparing for the reception of Prince István, the royal heir returning from a victorious battle.
However, the king's two chief advisors are in trouble, as they are afraid of the strong-handed and determined son coming to the throne, and fear for their place in the royal court.
In Buda, the advisors convince the king to execute Mária, since the two illegitimate sons born of an unworthy marriage are not of Árpád's blood, so they would only be usurpers.
The hunting party returns to the estate, only to find the dying Mária, who can say goodbye to her husband before succumbing to her wounds.