Sam and Elizabeth go out in their newly varnished coach for the May Day Parade where their liveries of serge, horses' manes tied with red ribbon, and green reins attract admiring glances. Meanwhile, Sam's eyes continue to cause him pain when writing in candlelight. He tries out a new vizard with a tube fastened to it in the hope that it will ease the discomfort but to no avail. He petitions the King to allow him two or three months off from work so that he can go abroad to rest. Elizabeth surprises Sam by telling him that she intends to keep a journal of their travels. Sam has secretly been keeping a diary for nearly ten years now but at the end of May, he has to come to a very difficult decision about whether to continue.

Adapted by Hattie Naylor

Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, words by Robert Herrick and music by William Lawes, sung by Bethany Hughes. Lute, baroque guitar and theorbo played by David Miller. Violin and viol by Annika Gray, and recorders by Alice Baxter.

Historical consultant: Liza Picard
Sound by Nigel Lewis
Production Co-Ordinator: Willa King

A BBC/Cymru Wales production, directed by Kate McAll. Show less