THE KING        IN THE SHADOWS

Francis Bacon hides behind the mask of Shakespeare as he must overcome the evil, Robert Cecil, to be recognised by the ‘Virgin’ Queen Elizabeth as her son and heir to the English throne.

We have been working on this screenplay for the last five years.

Our research of Francis Bacon has revealed so many facts about him and the reign of Queen Elizabeth the First.

These facts have remained hidden for over four hundred years and will probably remain hidden unless rightlessness prevails and the truth be exposed.

We thought that the format of a feature film would be the best way to inform the most number of people in the quickest possible time.

The film concentrates on a short period of Francis’ life from when he becomes aware he is the Queen’s son as a youth to when he creates the name, William Shakespeare.

A one-page synopsis is below and we are wanting a Producer to pick this up and to run with it.

We also have more than enough content for a first and second sequel or a mini-series.

Jim and Helen.

1579, Francis Bacon returns from Cambridge and tells his parents that he wants to educate the common man through plays. They say he needs to study law and become a politician like his father. Robert Cecil’s father, Lord Burghley, instructs Cecil to become the power behind the throne.

Francis is thrown into confusion when he learns he is the son of Queen Elizabeth, however she refuses to recognize him as her son and heir. Cecil is angered that Francis could spoil his goal to control Elizabeth and the monarchy.

Francis is banished to France by the Queen. Hurt by the Queen’s rejection he turns to Marguerite for love. However, his friends convince him he should stand up to Elizabeth and to be recognized as her heir. Cecil lies about Francis’ relationship with Marguerite to the Queen.

Sir Nicholas Bacon dies and Elizabeth recalls Francis to London. He wants to be recognized as her son, but she insists he must remain hidden and orders him to study law, although she will provide for him. Cecil frightens Elizabeth with suspicious black feathers in an endevour to frame Francis.

At Greys Inn, Francis establishes a secret writing group called the Shakers of the Spear or 'Pens'. They seek to reform the English language and create a Renaissance of the Arts, Science, Politics and Religion. They write plays and translate books to educate the Commoners. They graduate and continue this work. Francis is elected to Parliament and is in opposition to Cecil. Elizabeth is angered by a play-script  and orders the Author to be found and punished.

Francis realizes he can employ an actor from Blackfriar's  Theatre, William Shaksper to pose as the author William Shakespeare and sends the Earl of Leicester, Francis' true father, to negotiate terms with him. Spain threatens war and Elizabeth seeks to shore up monetary supply. Francis blocks the Bill in Parliament, and she cuts off his ‘supply’ and he is unable to pay his Pens.

Cecil  conspires to poison the Queen and to put King James of Scotland on the English throne. Bacon discovers Cecil’s plot to kill her and exposes his treason. Cecil holds a dagger to Elizabeth but Francis disarms Cecil. Cecil falls and guards take him away. Elizabeth apologizes to Francis for her rejection of him. She restores his finances and her favour, and promises to recognize him.

Francis is with his Pens, and he signs a manuscript ‘by, William Shakespeare.’ He says, ‘for now, I shall be  king but in the shadows.