Ancient Rus, 12th century, a period of fierce internecine struggle between the princes of the Rurik dynasty. The young prince Andrey Bogolyubskiy, son of Yuriy Dolgorukiy 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 of Rus. However, Andrey's powerful father, the experienced Yuriy Dolgorukiy, sees his son as just an obedient executor of his will, and the heir to the grand princely throne decides to rebel - he declares himself an independent ruler. At first, all his plans are quickly realized: architects invited from Byzantium and Europe build white-stone churches, fortresses and even entire new cities in the Suzdal principality, Orthodoxy is strengthened and trade flourishes. But, having become the most powerful ruler of Rus, Prince Andrey makes equally powerful enemies who weave a web of betrayal, conspiracies and intrigues around him.