In 1630 England

Our heroine, Lady Catherine, who has a bastard child, is left with an estate that she can't inherit because she is a woman. Therefore, Queen Henrietta Maria, who adores Catherine and lets her take care of her horses, and King Charles I, who wishes to reward a loyal Knight for ten years of service, decide to arrange a marriage contract so that Catherine will be able to keep her land.

The king and queen arrange for a Norman knight named Giles to enter into the marriage. Giles's mistress tries to figure out a way not to lose Giles, so she gets him drunk and fills him with lies about Catherine before he is to meet her to sign the agreement.

Upon arrival, the belligerent knight begins belittling Catherine in front of the king and wants no part of the contract unless she gives up her child. All the while, he did not know that the queen and Catherine were listening. At this point, Catherine is furious and would rather give up her land and the keep than give up her child.