Christmas 1183; an ageing and conniving King Henry II plans a reunion, hoping to name his successor.

He summons his scheming wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine; his mistress, Princess Alais; his sons, Richard, Geoffrey, and John, all of whom desire the throne; along with the young King Philip of France, Alais' brother.

With the fate of Henry's empire at stake, everybody engages in their own brand of deception and treachery to stake their claim