William Thatcher is a young boy who dreams of becoming a knight, but he knows his lowly peasant status will prevent him from ever achieving his goal. However, fate intervenes when his master, Sir Hector, passes away during a jousting tournament, and William seizes the opportunity to take his place in the competition.
To disguise his identity, William assumes the name of Ulrich von Lichtenstein, a fictitious nobleman from Germany. With the help of his fellow apprentices, Wat and Roland, he trains tirelessly in order to succeed in the tournament circuit.
Along the way, William meets and falls in love with Lady Jocelyn, a wealthy noblewoman who is initially unimpressed by his humble origins. However, as she gets to know him better, Jocelyn comes to admire William's courage and determination.
As Ulrich von Lichtenstein, William becomes one of the most renowned knights in all of England, earning himself the admiration of both commoners and nobles alike. But his success attracts the attention of jealous rivals, and William must fight harder than ever to protect his reputation and the people he loves.
Ultimately, William's journey teaches him about the true meaning of honor and valor, and he realizes that he doesn't need a noble title or high social status to be a true knight.