Helena, a Spanish citizen of low birth becomes infatuated with Bertram who shows no interest in her whatsoever. Hearing that the King of France is sick, Bertram goes to France to offer his services to the soon to be King. Helena follows him and offers her skills as a healer and heals the French king in return for marriage to someone of her choosing. She selects Bertram and he soon goes to war saying that he will love her if she can only bear him a child.