It's medieval warfare in Defender of the Crown. You'll assume the role of one of three Saxon knights in a quest to defeat the Normans. The two knights you do not choose are your allies, but keep in mind that they also would like to become king.
You can attain land for yourself via two methods, tournaments and conquests. Tournaments include jousts and morning star competitions. Most of the action occurs during conquests, however.
In your battles against the Normans, you'll have to manage your funds appropriately as you attempt to build a powerful army. Once your army is together, you'll start raiding Norman castles. Both you and the Normans can move all of your troops in a single turn. When a group of Saxon soldiers encounters a group of Normans, a computer-generated battle will ensue. If you manage to win most of these battles all the way to the castle, the land is yours. If you need it, occasionally Robin Hood is available to help you. Don't forget to defend you new land, though, as the Normans will be anxious to reclaim it. Once you have secured all castles, England is yours to rule.