Plot: In 1183 Henry II summonses his sons Richard, John, and Geoffrey to join him and his prison-bound wife Eleanor at Chinon for a family Christmas, along with King Philip II of France and his sister Alais, Henry's mistress. Philip is insisting Alais now marries John as agreed years before else he wants her dowry, the lands of the Vexen, back. As Eleanor has already given the province of Aquitaine to Richard, the outcome of this may decide the very future of England. Everyone present except perhaps Alais are masters of double-dealing and deceipt, so it could be a lively Yuletide.

Tags: 12th century, aristocrat, based on play, battle of the sexes, brother brother relationship, christmas, dysfunctional family, dysfunctional marriage, england, estranged wife, extramarital affair, family, father son relationship, gay interest, heir, historical, homosexuality, independent film, king henry ii, marriage, medieval, mistress, mother son relationship, plantagenet, political intrigue, politically divided family, power struggle, queen, royal family, royalty, throne, show all tags.