Ancient Russia, XII century, the period of fierce internecine struggle of the princes of the Rurik family. The young Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky, the son of Yuri Dolgoruky and grandson of Vladimir Monomakh, returns home from Byzantium, where he spent several years. His dream is to reign in his native Suzdal land, turning it into a new prosperous center of all Russia. However, Andrey's domineering father, the experienced Yuri Dolgoruky, sees in his son only a submissive executor of his will, and the heir to the grand ducal throne decides to rebel — declares himself an independent ruler.