After growing up at the court of Charles V in France, where her father was court astrologer and physician, the Italian Cristina da Pizzano, also known as Christine de Pisan, is left completely destitute during the struggle between the Armagnacs and the Burgundians. Forced to survive by her wits amidst the dregs of society, Cristina discovers she has a talent for poetry thanks to Charleton, a minstrel who tours the taverns, and Gerson, a theologist.