If I Were King

François Villon is under the care of Father Villon in Paris after being raised by him. He has just pulled off another escapade, robbing a royal storehouse, which troubles his mentor. In church, Villon spots Katherine DeVaucelles and, charmed, recites a poem he claims was written for her.

At mass, Katherine appears unmoved by his flirting, yet when soldiers arrive to arrest Villon, she provides him with a crucial alibi. Their brief exchange foreshadows a complicated relationship between them. The alibi buys him time as the authorities close in.

Louis XI, in disguise, goes to a tavern to test loyalties and watches Villon with amusement. A riot erupts when the watch tries to seize him, and Villon kills Grand Constable D'Aussigny, who is revealed later as a turncoat. The king wavers over how to respond, torn between punishment and admiration.

To everyone's surprise, Louis names Villon the new Constable, a playful reward suggesting a commoner could do better in the role. The decision is announced at the royal court in Paris, highlighting the king’s willingness to gamble on a rogue. A bizarre and risky honor for a street poet.

Villon falls in love with Katherine, who serves as a lady-in-waiting to the queen, and she returns his feelings without recognizing his true identity. Their romance blooms amid court intrigue and the looming threat to Villon’s life. The relationship complicates Villon’s standing with Louis.

Louis informs Villon that he will be executed after a week. The looming deadline hangs over him, forcing him to consider risky moves to survive within the palace’s walls. The countdown ratchets up the tension in the capital.

Katherine proposes a bold plan: releasing the army’s six months of food stored in Paris’s storehouses to feed the starving population. Villon helps coordinate the effort so the city’s needs align with the army’s attack schedule. The ploy links the fate of the city to the commander’s patience and the king’s favor.

With the city under siege, Villon escapes confinement to rally the common people to resist the Burgundian assault. Their united effort helps turn the tide, and the enemy’s gains begin to falter as the siege loses momentum. The city’s resilience begins to lift the threat from Paris.

The king has Villon arrested again, not fully understanding the part he played in the outcome. Katherine and Father Villon testify on his behalf, and Louis realizes what he owes the poet, going personally to liberate him. The turn of events softens the king’s stance and tightens Villon’s bond with Katherine.

Louis pardons Villon but decides to exile him from Paris to keep the peace. François leaves on foot, heading toward the south, accepting distance from the capital and from those who wanted him silenced. The exile marks a new, uncertain chapter in his life.

Katherine quietly follows in her carriage at a discreet distance on the road to the south, hoping to catch up with François or at least stay close. She waits for him to tire, ready to maneuver for their futures together. The pursuit underscores a stubborn hope that love can survive political turmoil.