Rudolf Rassendyll bears the name of an English duke and a remarkable resemblance to the King of Ruritania the result of a scandalous liaison between an earlier Rassendyll and the royal Elphbergs. Curious unambitious and a consummate gentleman of leisure Rudolf makes a secret visit to Ruritania where Rudolf V is about to be crowned. But treachery and greed are abroad in the Castle of Zenda and the English cousin finds himself embroiled in deception in order to save the King from Black Michael’s fiendish plot. Fired by love and enraged by betrayal Rudolf Rassendyll finally awakes from his aristocratic langour and rises to a heroic defence of family honour and of the beautiful Princess Flavia.