The story, for the greater part, is founded on genuine historical data, although two of the principal characters are allotted names different from those given them in history, and the incident connected with the restoration of the ring to Queen Elizabeth varies from the accepted account. The Lord Leigh, of the filmed story, is really the Earl of Essex, of history, and the Countess of Southerville is the Duchess of Nottingham, to whom Essex had entrusted the ring, given him by the Queen in a tender moment. This ring, at Elizabeth's request, was to be sent to her by the Earl when he was in jeopardy of life through the machinations of his enemies. After Essex's return from his futile campaign in Ireland against disaffected chiefs there, without permission from his superiors, it will be remembered that he was immediately arrested and imprisoned by his powerful enemies. Realizing that it was their intention to have him beheaded, Essex gave the ring to the Duchess of Nottingham, who visited him one day, praying her to deliver it safely to the Queen. History narrates that he met death at the block, thus showing that the ring had never reached Elizabeth. Years afterwards, when the aged Duchess lay dying, she sent an urgent message to the Queen beseeching her to come at once to her bedside. On Elizabeth's arrival, the Duchess confessed that she had been entrusted with the ring but that, in order to satisfy a grudge against Essex, she had retained it and allowed him to go to his death. It is said that Elizabeth became so enraged by the confession that she violently shook the dying woman, and never after fully recovered her spirits. The filmed story shows that Lord Leigh loved Bessie, a girl far beneath him in station. This was at the time when he was a great favorite at Court and beloved by Elizabeth. This first scene shows a tender meeting between Bessie and her courtly lover on a balcony. Next we see Lord Leigh at Court, a truly magnificent interior, the decorations, furniture and costumes of the period being faithfully and artistically reproduced. The impersonations of the leading characters in this scene afford a splendid study of courtly grace and elegance. The bestowal of the ring on Lord Leigh by Elizabeth occurs in this scene. The scene following reveals a meeting between Leigh and the Countess of Southerville, a lady-in-waiting to the Queen. It is clearly impressed on the onlooker that the Countess is in love with the Queen's favorite, and that he repels her with haughty indifference; also that her love turns into violent hatred. But the spurned noblewoman soon avails herself of the knowledge that Lord Leigh loves Bessie to work his ruin. She writes him an anonymous letter informing him that his love for a miserable wench will soon be made known to her Majesty. Fearing the Queen's wrath Leigh enters into a plot against her life. Meantime the Countess proves to the Queen that Lord Leigh loves Bessie. The plot is discovered, and the conspirators are arrested and imprisoned, Lord Leigh being confined in the Tower of London. He remembers the ring and gives it to the Captain of the Guard, enjoining him to convey it to Elizabeth. Instead, the Captain delivers it to the Countess, and Lord Leigh suffers on the block. Cunningly the Countess places the ring on a book near the Queen's chair, where Elizabeth discovers it after her favorite's death. The shock almost renders the Queen helpless, and she falls across the royal chair stunned with grief and remorse. This film can be heartily commended for talented acting, beautiful settings and good photography. The artistic care bestowed on costumes has already been referred to. - The Moving Picture World, April 6, 1912