This epic covers the Elizabethan period in England where they were waring with the Spanish. Queen Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett) is single with no children nor prospects. However she is attracted to Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen), who has started a settlement in Virginia. However Raleigh falls for her handmaiden, Bess Throckmorton (Abbie Cornish). She becomes ;regnant so they marry. Raleigh desires to return to America, but the Queen forbids him as she needs help with the Spanish who are coming to make war. Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland (Samantha Morton) betrayed the queen in trying to have her assassinated by Thomas Babington (Eddie Redmayne). The queen with the evidence orders her ezecution, giving Spain an excuse to come to war. Spain had. been using Mary just for this purpose. However things do not go well for Spain and the Spanish Armada, due to the weather, and due to firing the boats and the fire reaching the Spanish fleet.
Enjoyable and interesting history, which I must admit I am not very up on European history, but good to see how it all fits in.
