The relationship between Queen Elizabeth I of England and her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots is a complex one, they were united by blood but divided by religion. Championed by continental and underground English Catholics as the rightful Queen of England, Mary was nevertheless given protection by her cousin after she was deposed amid outrage at her immoral behaviour. Rumours of Papist plots revolving around Mary abounded and Elizabeth was put under extreme pressure to be rid of this dangerous threat to her sovereignty and to the Protestant church in England, but it was only after much reluctance and procrastination that Elizabeth finally signed Mary's long-drafted death warrant. The story of their relationship is narrated here, and analyzed. Alison Plowden shows how political fear brought about the worst and the best in the two queens.