And in his Science as he did Excell,
In her high Favour he did always dwell…
December of 1602, London, England. A grieving and feeble Queen Elizabeth I has decided to retire her court to Richmond Palace, a move that will require her royal apothecary, Hugh Morgan, and his staff to perform the expected scenting of every hall, room, wardrobe, and piece of cloth the queen will encounter. While planning this momentous undertaking, Morgan recounts to his apprentice stories from the nearly thirty years of service to the queen as the man responsible for her medicines, her cosmetics, and most unforgettably, her scent. With tales of new botanical discoveries, poisoned plots, and experiments in early aromatherapy, Morgan’s story offers new insight into the scented life of Queen Elizabeth I.