Ferrara in the early 1500s at the Este’s Court. After the death of Ercole I, envy and hate erupt among his four sons: Alfonso, Duke of Este ( husband of Lucrezia Borgia), Ippolito, the future cardinal, Giulio, born out of the wedlock, and Ferrante. While banquets, revenges and assassinations take place in the palace, Moschino, the court jester, is unwillingly involved in a fight for power.