Chapter 4. This sequence opens with John Daniell bargaining with Lady Essex over the return of her letters and also a guarantee of security for John. Jane then returns the original letters but finds that Lady Essex will not see her even though they have known each other for ten years.
Context
This is one of six clips that make up a play based on the story of the Daniell family in Tudor times. John Daniell was an ambitious gentleman from Cheshire. He had been a supporter of the powerful Earl of Essex, a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I. John hoped to gain power and wealth by serving a powerful patron like Essex. He moved to Hackney with his wife and children in 1600. However Essex fell from favour with Elizabeth in 1602. The Daniells suffered as a result. They had been asked to keep some letters for the Earl of Essex’s wife and when Essex fell this put them in a difficult position. This play tells their story.
Interesting or important points about the film
This clip gives us an insight into how Tudor society worked. Families from the gentry often tried to ally themselves to more powerful families in the hope of getting important jobs or other rewards. The clip shows how the plan backfired for one family. As well as telling us more of the story, this clip is interesting in what it tells us about relations between husband and wife and also different ranks in society. The play is based on genuine documents in the Hackney Archives collection.