Two sworn brothers face a divine test of loyalty when one must sacrifice his own children to cure the other of leprosy. Amis and Amiloun are noble knights whose physical resemblance and deep bond define their identity within a rigid feudal society. When Amiloun takes his brother's place in a trial by combat, he incurs a divine curse that manifests as a debilitating disease. The narrative follows their struggle to maintain their honor and brotherhood against the pressures of courtly expectations and supernatural consequences, utilizing the traditional structure of a Middle English verse romance.

Readers and scholars frequently analyze this work as a quintessential example of the Middle English 'matter of England' romances. Discussion often centers on the ethical dilemma presented by the protagonists' extreme acts of devotion, which challenge modern interpretations of morality. Critics highlight the text's rhythmic pacing and its reliance on established tropes of the genre to reinforce themes of brotherhood. The work is widely regarded as a significant artifact for understanding the social and spiritual values of the medieval period. Readers often note that the poem provides a clear window into the cultural expectations of loyalty and sacrifice during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.