Helen Castor reveals an incendiary document, written in Edward's spidery handwriting on his deathbed, which cuts his half-sister Mary out of the line of succession and leaves the throne to his cousin Jane.

Three days into Jane's reign the clock is ticking; Mary Tudor, eldest daughter of Henry VIII, is determined to seize power and both women are raising armies.

Jane is installed in the Tower of London by a powerful cabal of men in the royal court who want to keep Catholic Mary Tudor from power; Mary's army is assembled.