"In Nomine Patris" is set in early 13th century England, at the time of Magna Carta and the wars between King John, the invading French armies and a coalition of dissident English Barons. As a peasant farmer indentured to a knight, Aleric has been raised by his father to hate their overlord Sir Telford. Now his father has died at the hands of Telford's men, and Aleric is alone, simmering with anger but unsure how he should take revenge. Like his father before him, Aleric runs afoul of Telford and his life is suddenly shattered when Telford sells him to another manor, unwittingly pitching him into the army of the enigmatic Willikin of the Weald, and battles that will decide the fate of England.