In 1125 Empress Matilda returned to England and the court of her father, Henry I. A string of tragedies and loss has befallen the royal family; Matilda is now a widow and Henry has lost his only son and obvious heir. Together, father and daughter will join forces towards a common goal: maintaining their family's hold on the English throne. Their only recourse is to title Matilda as rightful heir, to rule as Queen upon her father's death.

But will the nobles of England ever accept a woman as their ruler?