The action takes place at the end of the 16th century, during the historical turning point after the end of the Jagiellonian dynasty. The title character is the later Grand Chancellor of the Crown, Jan Zamoyski. The fate of Jan Zamojski, who was the first character in the country after the king, during the reign of Stefan Batory, is presented in the series by his personal secretary and confidant, Reinhold Heidenstein, who recreates the wonderful career of his powerful protector in the chronicle. This German by origin who became a Polish historian is the second important character of the film, having its authentic prototype in the past. The third person among the leading characters in the series is Captain Szymon Mroczek, a friend of the outlaw Samuel Zborowski, a supporter of the rule of a strong hand and ending the arbitrariness of the nobility.