The mother of Crispin — Asta's son, as he is known, just a poor peasant — has died, and the boy flees the town of Stromford after being falsely accused of a crime. During his escape, he meets Bear, the strange and fascinating juggler who fills Crispin's head with new ideas about freedom, about God, about human beings' purpose on earth. Together, they come to Great Wexley, a large town where Crispin confronts Aycliffe, the servant of Lord Furnival who has ordered his death. In the process, Crispin learns about his history while at the same time breaking free from that history to become a truly free man.
