It's Christmas 1183 and King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) is planning to announce his successor to the throne. The jockeying for the crown though is complex. Henry has three sons and wants his boy Prince John (Nigel Terry) to take over. Henry's wife Queen Eleanor (Katharine Hepburn) has other ideas. She believes their son Prince Richard (Sir Anthony Hopkins) should be King. As the family and various schemers gather for the holiday each tries to make the indecisive King choose his or her option.