Story Overview

A gripping story of power, deceit and passion, this historical fiction is based on the true story of Mary Ann whose case is said to have brought about the Married Women''s Property Act.

The Inheritance and Conflict

When Mary Ann inherits her family''s property, her husband soon begins selling off portions of the land without her consent. Not only does he cheat her of her birthright he then wants to bring his ''fancy'' woman to live there. Driven by desperation, Mary Ann fights with him and cuts his arm. The wound turns septic and he dies. Mary Ann is hauled off to Goulburn Goal branded a murderer.

Legal and Social Consequences

However, when she is found to be pregnant the authorities decide to wait until the baby is born before sentencing her to hang. Her real crime through all this is being born a woman in a man''s world...