Gloriana — Joanna Dessau

For four days, the great Gloriana has remained huddled and silent upon a mound of cushions at Richmond, refusing to take to her bed, fighting death to the end. Memories crowd her brain: scenes of glory, scenes of power, times of alarm and dismay. Illustrious figures pass before her inward eye. There is also the bane of her life, Mary, Queen of Scots. But Elizabeth's hand is steady upon her country until she breathes her last.