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Synopsis:
The story is set in Paris in the reign of Louis XI, whose throne is in danger from the Duke of Burgundy. One night, while in the tavern disguised as a merchant, King Louis meets Francois Villon, a vagabond and poet who with his band of thieves and tavern wenches tells the "merchant" of his very low opinion of their king, and his poor efforts to stop Paris falling to Burgundy. He also tells his friends of his love for a lady of the court who, he has discovered, is the King's ward. His friend, Tabarie arranges a meeting between this Lady Katherine and Villon, and she asks Villon if he will kill Thibaut d'Aussigny, Grand Marshall of France, who has turned traitor and plans to sell France to Burgundy in return for Katherine and all her lands.
Thibaut comes to the tavern that night and when Villon tries to kill him he is stopped by the arrival of the King and his Scotch Archers. After hearing Villon say what he could do for France were he King for one day, King Louis arranges for Villon to be drugged and taken to the royal palace and to be known as Count of Montcorbier.
While Villon is King for the day, a herald arrives from Burgundy, summoning them to surrender and war is declared. Meanwhile, he fress all the vagabonds from prison, reduces taxes, and declares there will be a masked ball that night. This is to fool the Burgundians who think they will now be able to enter Paris without a struggle.
Through Huguette, Villon discovers a plot to kidnap the King by Thibaut so disguises himself as King Louis and when Thibaut tries to kill Villon Huguette tries to protect him and is herself killed.
Finally Villon is to face the gallows for daring to put himself above the King and in the end is saved by Katherine declaring her love for him. | 
1986 The Vagabond King
