England, 1461, the height of the War of the Roses. After a crushing defeat at the Battle of Sandal Castle, the York army was practically scattered. The Lancastrian army, advancing victoriously, repulsed King Henry from captivity and approached the walls of London. But the impregnable fortress city did not open its gates to the banners with a scarlet rose. And then Count Richard Warwick, one of the leaders of the York forces, decided to take a step never before seen in England: to proclaim another monarch, Duke Edward of York, while the king was alive. This is a real ruler - a young, powerful, skillful and frantic warrior; people who hate and despise the feeble-minded King Henry will follow him. Finally, he is from the Plantagenet dynasty, which means he has right of blood on his side. Crowning him is the best decision for the country. But, as it turned out, not for Warwick himself...