Wide ranging examination of Europe and the changes wrought by the Renaissance pays particular attention to the life of Leonardo Da Vinci, but goes well beyond the world of art to highlight political and social changes of the time.

Two innocent young orphans are the potential heirs to a fortune. Their fates are snarled in a monumental legal battle known as Jarndyce and Jarndyce. Another orphan, Esther Summerson, whose mysterious parentage proves to be intertwined with the fate of the Jarndyce wards and the aloof Lady Dedlock. Lady Dedlock faces the revelation of her dark past once Mr. Tulkinghorn catches wind of it. The icily beautiful Esther's background also comes to light...