The story opens in Warwickshire where 19 year old Francis Cludde lives with his uncle Sir Anthony and cousin Petronilla.
His outspoken views get Francis into trouble during a visit from Mary's powerful Chancellor Stephen Gardiner, who advises him to leave England for his own good.
With Francis' help, she and her husband Bertram escape first to the Spanish Netherlands, then Wesel in Germany still pursued by a man called Clarence, Gardiner's chief agent.
The novel passes over the next two years resuming in autumn 1558 when Francis and Bertram return to England to join a conspiracy against Mary.
As ever, the historical details are well researched, especially the character sketches of real figures like the Duchess of Suffolk and Bishop Gardiner and the portrayal of life in 16th century Holland both vivid and relatively uncommon.