The setting is Christmas, 1183, in Henry's castle at Chinon, France. Henry and Eleanor carry on a love-hate relationship mired in a complex power struggle. Eleanor has been imprisoned by Henry, who would like to make Alais, his new, younger love his wife, which is impossible since Eleanor won't give him a divorce. The three sons of the warring couple are staking out their own grounds for ascendance to power, and Eleanor is on their side. Henry wants a son with Alais so the throne can be passed to him.