In High Places

In High Places is the story of the epic power struggle between Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I of England, two queens, two cousins, two rivals, whose story has fascinated generations for almost five centuries. But two queens could hardly have been more different. Mary Stuart became queen of Scotland when she was barely six days old. Beloved by all who knew her, pampered and spoiled at the French royal court, Mary was sheltered first by her powerful French relations, and later, as Queen of France, by François, her devoted husband and king. Elizabeth, regaled as a royal princess at the glittering court of Henry the VIII of England, was later disowned by her father when her ill-fated mother, Anne Boleyn, failed to produce a male heir. Orphaned at age three by the judicial murder of her mother and cast adrift in the dangerous world of 16th century Tudor politics, the young Princess Elizabeth must fend for herself using only her wits. As their lives unfold, a fateful juxtaposition becomes evident: Mary's star flashes and dies after the death of King François. Elizabeth survives to become the most powerful sovereign England has ever known. Why these reversals of the fortunes of both women occurred has been pondered for centuries, but the reason may be quite simple: Mary ruled with her heart, while Elizabeth ruled with her head. When Mary is finally forced to flee her own realm, she makes a fateful decision to cross the border into England. Thus began almost two decades of imprisonment at her cousin's hands, which finally resulted in her execution. The story of Elizabeth and Mary is not only great history, it is a cautionary tale for the use...or abuse...of great power.