Set in 1547, this satirical novel brings together Tom Canty, an impoverished urchin who lives with his abusive father in London's filthiest streets, and pampered Prince Edward, the son of King Henry VIII. Noticing their uncanny resemblance, the two boys trade clothes on a whim. While Tom lives in the lap of luxury and finds he has a knack for rendering wise judgments, the ragged prince roams the city and discovers first-hand the misery of his poorest subjects' lives. But when the king dies and Edward tries to claim his throne, he finds that changing places will be difficult to undo.