Sam Tucker, a lowly gooseherd, is waylaid by a nobleman, Thomas Englestone, so does not attend to the geese. After they escape Sam is banished from his village. Later that day, when a body is found in their enclosure, he is accused of murder. He suspects Englestone is the killer. Whilst on the run, Sam meets men able to help him find the proof and his quest takes him from being an outlaw to having the ear of King Edward I.