Scene 1: An audience room with a throne in the palace. The stage is the Queen's Hall at Buckingham Palace in London. At this time, a celebration will be held to praise the Earl of Leicester who won the battle of Scotland and his victorious army. The nobles attending the celebration blessed the Earl of Leicester and the soldiers, but only the Earl's friend, the Duke of Norfolk, looked unhappy. It turned out that he was jealous of his friend who was about to be rewarded by the Queen. At the same time, the queen sang to herself, "The day of meeting the person I love is coming again", which became a woman's love song. After the Queen awarded the medal to Lester, she accepted the Scots as hostages, smiled at them and promised forgiveness. During this period, Lester was surprised to find that his wife Mathilde and his brother-in-law Enrique were among the hostages. He never mentioned that he was married in front of the queen.

After the queen and everyone left, only Lester and Mathilde were left on the stage, so they entered the duet of the couple: "Why are you here?" "I came in disguise because I was worried about you." Although the queen promised to be lenient with them, she was still a hostage. Lester is still angry because his wife followed him to this dangerous place. Lester told herself that if the queen knew that she had married the daughter of Maria Starr, the consequences would be unimaginable, so she entrusted Mathilde to her brother-in-law Enrico and left first. Then Mathilde sang the aria "I hear voices inside" sadly.

Scene 2: A room in the palace. Confused and worried, Lester revealed to his friend Norfolk that he was married, and his wife Mathilde was actually the princess of Queen Maria Stada of Scotland, and then begged him never to let the British royal family know. Unexpectedly, Norfolk betrayed his friend's trust, reported all the facts to the newly appeared queen, and then left.

The queen's grief gradually turned into anger because of her lover's betrayal. She ordered Guile to call the Earl of Leicester, nobles and Scottish hostages to the hall. Lester and Mathilde, who appeared on the left and right, were puzzled by what happened. The queen recognized Mathilde as Lester's wife at a glance, so she deliberately picked up the crown for Lester to watch, and then publicly announced her decision to give him the throne as her husband. Lester was confused and immediately realized that he had been arrested, saying that his men were afraid to ascend to the throne. Scene 1: A room in the palace. Elizabeth ordered Gilde to bring Mathilde into the room. The queen said, "As long as you give up everything and Lester's love and rights, I will spare your life." Then he threatened, "If you don't do this, the execution platform will wait for you." At first Mathilde said that she would never agree to such a thing. But thinking about the safety of her husband and brother, she came to the table in tears and signed the oath of agreeing to say goodbye to Lester according to the queen's order. At this time, Lester was also brought to this room. The queen showed him the document signed by Mathilde and said, "She is your savior!" " "Unexpectedly, Lester said angrily," I don't want to take her as compensation for my life! ""Then he tore the document into pieces and shouted to the queen, "Our love will last forever!" "This is a soprano duet, with tenor added, thus forming a trio. The queen flew into a rage and ordered the guards to put the two men back in prison. At this time, Guile Modern Field told Queen Norfolk to ask for an audience. But the queen thought that a man who betrayed friendship was not allowed to enter the palace, and he was also the chief culprit of the tragedy, so she ordered him to be deported.

Scene 2: Prison Reception Room. People expressed sympathy for Count Leicester. At this time, Norfolk came quietly, deeply regretted betraying his friendship and offending the Queen, and shouted to save Lester, so he sang the aria "Revenge for Insult".

Scene 3: In the dungeon. Lester was alone in the dungeon, lamenting his fate and thinking of his beloved wife: "Della Sheita Fortuna … Spassa Amata". Norfolk appeared and incited Lester to say, "The people are on your side. Please be the leader of the people and launch a rebellion! " Then he ordered the engineers to destroy the prison wall between Leicester and Mathilde. At this time, the queen walked down the steps under the guidance of the guards, and Norfolk hid in panic. The queen told Lester, "Parliament sentenced you to death, and I signed the verdict, but I personally hope you escape through the secret passage." The Queen also said that his marriage to Mathilde was revealed by Norfolk. Lester was furious when he learned that his best friend had betrayed him, so he told the queen, "Norfolk has just been here and suggested that I confront the queen and lead a riot." When the queen said that the bad guys must be arrested and punished, Norfolk pulled out his sword and rushed out of his hiding place to assassinate the queen. At this moment, Mathilde and Enrico, who witnessed the emergency after the destruction of the city wall, immediately rushed out, pounced on Norfolk and seized his weapon, while Lester stood up to protect the queen. The Queen ordered her men to arrest Norfolk, pardoned Lester, Mathilde and Enrico, and sang the aria bell'alme gene rose.

At this time, people flocked to beg the Queen to forgive Count Leicester. The queen announced in front of them, "I have forgiven Lester, and I have decided to return your general to you." At the same time, he said that he would give up his love affair, fulfill his duties as queen wholeheartedly, and sing the last song "Love, escape from this heart!" "(fuggi amor da questo seno). Finally, it came to an end in the chorus of the queen's pity and glory.