Astoryfromthehistoricuprisingof1282knownastheWaroftheSicilianVespers(sinceitbeganduringtheeveningprayerserviceofvespersonEasterMondayofthatyear).SicilyisinastateofunrestundertheFrenchruleofCharlesofAnjou.ElenadiPaternoisbetrothedtoSalernogentlemanGiovannidaProcida,butsheisbeingforcedbythewishesofKingCharlestomarrytheGovernorofPalermo.Giovannireturnsfromexileandfrombehindthescenesplansarevolt.PursuedbytheGovernor'smen-at-armsunderthecommandofCaptainDroet,GiovannitakesrefugeinthehomeofTommaso,amiller.CaptainDroet,meanwhile,meetsLaura,themiller'sbeautifuldaughter,withwhomhefallsinlove.ButLauraintendstomarryalocalfisherman,sowiththehelpofboththeAbbottoftheChurchoftheHolyGhostandtheGovernor'swife,sheseekstohastenthewedding.TothwartherplansDroetlaysatrapforthemillerwhoisarrestedasarebel.