It is a historical work portraying the rise, fall and execution of Fabiano Fabiani, a fictional favourite of Mary I of England (1516–1558).
Mary has Fabiani thrown in the Tower of London and despite later wishing to spare his life, is unable to do so.
Emilio Praga adapted it in Italian for Maria Tudor (1879) composed by Antônio Carlos Gomes.
In 1912 Albert Capellani directed Marie Tudor, a silent film version of the play.
A 1966 French television film Marie Tudor was also made, directed by Abel Gance.