What's interesting to me is that all three women are forced to work within the boundaries of a male dominated society, and have limited power--Anne included. She's the Queen, but she's constrained by her disability and political pressures, and her inability to produce an heir has effectively destroyed her future.

Abigail only realizes at the end that her exalted position as Baroness is the inside of a closed circle. Sarah, in a way, gets to escape--but exile is very very cold in winter.