Simon comes from the lower ranks of nobility in Medieval England He leaves the family home for higher education and later attends the University of Paris On his return to England he obtains work at the court of King John where scheming and plotting are everyday activities Simon serves his immediate master Quesnel who is trying to alleviate the effects of King Johns misjudgments If Simon could only have the woman he has always loved and who loves him he could be content and jubilant but unhappily fate has decided against that happening or so it seems