Defender of the Crown places the player in one of four Saxon knights' role in medieval England, where the land is in turmoil after the King's death and his crown was stolen. The Saxons and Normans blame each other and fight for control of England.
The game begins with a single castle and 10 soldiers at your command. Your goal is to build your army, take control of additional territories, and defeat the three Norman lords. Sometimes, you may also have to fight against your own Saxon allies.
Alongside building your army and conquering opponents, the game offers several events and options that can be used to fine tune your play style. For example, you can engage in a jousting contest to gain fame or land, or raid a castle for loot or a princess's hand, joining your houses and territories.