Fate brings Hugh de Singleton, fourth son of a minor knight in 14th century England, some very good fortune. Newly trained as a surgeon, he was looking from his Oxford window when he saw Lord Gilbert being kicked by his groom's horse. Hugh's successful treatment of the suffering Lord led to an invitation to set up his practice in the village of Bampton -- and before long, a request to identify some bones. It was a young woman whose bones were found in the castle cesspit, and Singleton, through his medical knowledge, identified her as the impetuous missing daughter of a local blacksmith. The young man she loved -- whom she had provoked very publicly -- is arrested and sentenced.