17 virgins are up for election: It is the year 818 when Louis the Pious, the son of Charlemagne, has the most beautiful daughters of noble families from all over the empire brought to Aachen. The widowed emperor is to find a new wife at a bridal show. The surprise is great when the ruler chooses the headstrong daughter of the Welfs, Judith, of all people. The emperor loves his new wife more than anything and gives the clever woman a free hand, which Louis' confidants and above all his grown-up sons observe with dismay. Distrust turns to hatred when a son is born to the imperial couple. Judith's enemies take the empress to court for adultery and sorcery. And from that moment on, mother and child must fear for their lives.
