Fair Youth

"Fair Youth" explores the legend that a love affair between Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, 20, Lord Great Chamberlain, and Queen Elizabeth I, 37, produced a son, Henry, born in secret and given to a nobleman whose heir died in infancy. Acting as Lord Chamberlain in charge of producing plays for Elizabeth's court, Oxford circulates sonnets that idolize a "Fair Youth" and hint that he is an unacknowledged heir to the Tudor throne. Believing himself to be Queen Elizabeth's unrecognized heir, Henry joins the Essex rebellion and attempts to seize the Tudor throne. He is captured and tried for insurrection. Oxford begs Elizabeth to commute Henry's sentence to life in prison. She reluctantly agrees on the condition that Oxford heads the jury that sentences Henry to death.