The story opens in Warwickshire where 19 year old Francis Cludde lives with his uncle Sir Anthony and cousin Petronilla. He was left there eight years earlier by his father Ferdinand who then disappeared. His outspoken views get Francis into trouble during a visit from Mary's powerful Chancellor Stephen Gardiner, who advises him to leave England for his own good.
Francis makes his way to London where he meets Catherine, Duchess of Suffolk who is being hunted by Gardiner's men. With Francis' help, she and her husband Bertram escape first to the Spanish Netherlands, then Wesel in Germany still pursued by a man called Clarence, Gardiner's chief agent. They eventually evade their pursuers and end up in what was then the Polish-Lithuania Commonwealth.
The novel passes over the next two years resuming in autumn 1558 when Francis and Bertram return to England to join a conspiracy against Mary. Francis recognises Clarence posing as one of the plotters and denounces him only to discover 'Clarence' is actually his father Ferdinand. At this point, Mary's death brings her Protestant sister Elizabeth I to the throne, allowing Francis to return home. He releases Ferdinand who travels to Warwickshire and incites his brother Sir Anthony to resist the new regime. By doing so, he hopes his brother will be condemned as a traitor and to gain his property as a result. The story ends with Francis foiling this plot and marrying Petronilla, while Ferdinand disappears for good.
This is one of Weyman's earlier works and reflects his typical strengths and weaknesses. As ever, the historical details are well researched, especially the character sketches of real figures like the Duchess of Suffolk and Bishop Gardiner and the portrayal of life in 16th century Holland both vivid and relatively uncommon. The plot moves along at a good speed but many of the characters are one dimensional and even by the standards of the time, the dialogue can seem contrived.
