Chapter 22 Summary

Mary, Queen of Scots, is living with her court at one of Lord Shrewsbury's country seats. She is ceaselessly engaged with political intrigues involving France and Spain and still has her French dowry with which to pay for them. One more time the Spanish ambassador assures Mary that an invasion will be paid for by the Spanish king, launched in the Pope's name and supported by thousands of Catholics all over England. Mary's son James I, King of Scotland, does not want to share the throne with his mother. The chief instigator returns to France and dies. The Spanish plan is for the army to invade England, create a diversion in Ireland and watch the general insurrection of Catholics begin. This is to start in September 1583.

One of Elizabeth's primary councilors dies in June. A comet appears over London, and many believe it...