Set at the beginning of the fourth century the story follows events that took place during the withdrawal of the Roman legions from Britain. The Count of the Saxon Shore was a military title of the officer whose task was to protect the coasts of Roman Provinces from the attacks of the Saxon pirates. As Count Aelius prepares his troops for movement, a young pretendent Constantine usurps position of Roman Emperor. The story follows trials and tribulations of Aelius and Constantine as one has to deal with Saxon pirates while other fights to stay in power.