The story begins in 1066 when William I, who defeated the Saxons and ruled England, eventually passed the throne to his grandson Henry II (Peter Otto Peter O'Toole). For a long time, the British royal family adopted a tough attitude towards the Saxon aborigines. However, Henry II's best friend Thomas (Richard Burton Richard Burton) was a Saxon, who succeeded to the throne. Henry II promoted him to prime minister. Thomas had extraordinary wisdom and courage, and under his guidance, the British Empire repeatedly won on the battlefield and continued to strengthen its territory. After that, Henry II sent Thomas to the church to become head of the church. The position close to the people's livelihood made Thomas more sympathetic to the poverty of the poor, and soon he was loved by the people, which made Henry II feel uneasy.