The War Lord - Ridderen fra Normandiet - Die Normannen kommen - El señor de la guerra

The War Lord - Charlton Heston and Richard Boone....

Chrysagon de la Cruex is a Norman knight whose duke gives him a Flemish village to rule and protect, commanding him to keep their goodwill. He and his men arrive in time to beat off Frisian raiders who leave behind a boy, the son of their leader, who conceals his identity. Chrysagon encounters Bronwyn, his future love, as she is being harassed by his own men. Gradually he finds himself falling for the girl he has rescued. Odins, the village chief, later asks Chrysagon's permission for Bronwyn to marry Odins' son Marc, to whom Bronwyn has been betrothed since childhood. Chrysagon approves, but soon regrets the decision. He wants Bronwyn for himself.

He later learns that the pagan practice of "droit du seigneur", though condemned by the church, still survives. Bronwyn and Marc are married in church and also in a riotous pagan celebration. Chrysagon appears at the latter to claim the right of the lord to sleep with a virgin on her wedding night. While three men restrain Marc, Odins declares that Chrysagon has the right, but all must be done according to the ancient ways, which are rooted in the sacrifice of a virgin to ensure fruitful harvests. Otherwise it is rape. Chrysagon agrees to the Druid way, to prepare a ring of fire in a high place, with his men “wearing iron and standing.” Bronwyn will be brought at the rising of the moon and reclaimed at sunrise.

Odins leads the torchlit procession past Chrysagon's men standing as an armed guard, to the chamber at the top of the keep. He tells her she can go but confesses his love for her. She loves him too. Odins comforts his son.

Bronwyn and Chrysagon watch the sunrise. He puts his father's ring on her hand and tells his brother he will not give her up.

Marc admits that Chrysagon had the right but he and the villagers are outraged when Bronwyn is not returned. They do not realize that she is staying of her own free will.

The village sends Marc to contact the Frisians, with evidence that the boy is alive. Bronwyn and Chrysagon are on top of the keep. He talks of carrying her to a far place, after his duty to his Duke is done. They see the Frisians hacking at the drawbridge and sound the alarm. Chrysagon climbs down to attack them, wearing only his braies.

The raiders lay siege to the place, nearly all the village is with them. They call for the boy. Draco demands ransom. Later he leaves, alone, perhaps for help.