The narrative centers on the knight Sir Degrevant, whose pursuit of honor and love is tested by a bitter feud and the demands of chivalric duty. Sir Degrevant seeks to win the hand of the Earl of Cumberland's daughter, a goal complicated by a long-standing territorial dispute between the two families. The protagonist must navigate the rigid social hierarchies of the medieval period, balancing his martial prowess with the refined expectations of courtly love. The poem utilizes the traditional conventions of the Middle English romance, emphasizing the knight's individual agency against the backdrop of feudal obligations.

Readers and scholars often examine this work for its preservation of Middle English dialect and its adherence to the structural tropes of the romance genre. Discussion frequently centers on the poem's balance between martial action and the sentimental requirements of the courtship narrative. Critics highlight the text's value as a primary source for understanding the social expectations placed upon the medieval knightly class. The work is noted for its clear, rhythmic structure, which provides insight into the oral and written traditions of the period.