Gloriana (2005)

Towards the end of her life and reign, Queen Elizabeth faces the threat of a second Spanish Armada, insurrection by the rebels in Ireland, and the growing ambition of Essex, her godson and favorite. Wedded to the Realm and “to no man,” she must constantly balance her public duty with her private feelings.

1597
Essex and Mountjoy, rivals for the Queen’s favor, quarrel at a tournament. The Queen rebukes them, and they are uneasily reconciled.

Cecil warns the Queen of the possible Armada and the dangers of Essex’s lack of restraint. Essex is frustrated by the Queen’s refusal to involve him in matters of state and, in his Lute Song, reveals a nature that is both passionate and melancholy. He begs Elizabeth to appoint him as Lord Deputy of Ireland, but she dismisses him.

Sander conceals his sacrifice from his three daughters, but Zémire drags the truth from Ali and determines to take her father’s place.

1599
During the Queen’s Progress in the country town of Norwich, the citizens have arranged a masque to entertain the Queen and glorify their “Gloriana.” During the masque, Essex confides in Cecil his ongoing frustration. He has now accepted that Mountjoy is the lover of his sister, Penelope, and is encouraged by Mountjoy’s support.

On the night of a Court Ball, Essex disturbs a tryst between Mountjoy and Penelope, who urge him to stand up to the Queen and demand his “rights.” Frances, his wife, begs him to be cautious.

At the Ball, the Queen is confronted by the sight of Frances in a wholly unsuitable and pretentious dress that Essex has forced her to wear to “shame” the Queen. After an unusually energetic dance, the ladies retire to change their linen. Frances’s dress disappears, and at the height of Essex’s fury and Frances’s grief, the Queen reappears flaunting Frances’s outrageous dress and threatens Essex with her displeasure.

Finally, Elizabeth, against the advice of her Council, appoints Essex as Lord Deputy of Ireland and bids him put down the rebel Tyrone. The ball ends on this ominous note.

1599–1603
The struggle in Ireland has not gone well, and London is fraught with gossip about Essex’s disastrous management of the war. He suddenly appears at the head of an armed force, determined to confront his adversaries at Court. Forcing his way into the Queen’s private chamber, he is horrified to find her half-dressed and as yet unadorned. She is now forced to choose between her affection and her rage at his breach of trust. They are both distraught; she orders him to make a final farewell and instructs Cecil to have Sir Robert put under guard.

The streets of London are in an uproar. The citizens receive the latest news through a Blind Ballad Singer, who provides it in the form of riddles. Finally, a City Crier announces that Essex is proclaimed a traitor for attempting, unsuccessfully, to persuade the citizens of London to rebel.

The Queen cannot bring herself to sign Essex’s death warrant. Her agonized indecision is interrupted when Frances, Penelope, and Mountjoy appear to beg for his pardon. The Queen promises Frances that, whatever she decides, their children shall be spared. This is not enough for Penelope, who haughtily rebukes the Queen. Enraged, Elizabeth signs the warrant.

Almost destroyed by Essex’s death, Elizabeth reviews her life as a Queen and as a woman. Urged out of her sickbed by Cecil, she addresses her people and renews her pledge to them before she can bring herself to announce James of Scotland, son of the executed Mary, Queen of Scots, as her successor. Her sun finally sets as her people, once more, express their love for her.

“Green leaves are we, red rose our golden Queen,
O crowned rose among the leaves so green!”