Westminster 1184. As a reward for loyalty to the crown Fulke FitzWarin becomes companion to Prince John. But the FitzWarins are as proud as they are true so when John accuses Fulke of cheating at chess his response is inevitable — and disastrous. Thus begins a bitter and life-long personal rivalry. The FitzWarins dream of returning to their family home Whittington taken from them during a war. But John is vindictive and his delight in denying the FitzWarins what is rightfully theirs leads to Fulke’s renouncing his allegiance and turning outlaw.