In 1819, in the Perigord, Jacquou Féral was an eight-year-old boy. His father, Martin Féral, said Martissou, was a metaler of the Count of Nansac who exploited his staff, while residing in the castle of Herm. One day, Nansac had Martissou wrongly condemned for the murder of his director Laborie. The unfortunate metaler was sentenced to forced labor and died shortly afterwards. Jacquou remained alone with his mother who also died. Orphelin, he is gathered by the parish priest Bonnal who takes care of his education. He becomes an adult, Jacquou will not stop fighting the injustice that his family has been victimized and dreams of revenge. Circumstances will soon lead him to become the main leader of a peasant revolt against the cynical count of Nansac. He will thus be able to transform his desire for revenge into a fight against injustice and prove that a simple peasant is not devoid of greatness.