The narrative follows the knight Sir Eglamour as he navigates a series of trials to prove his worthiness for the hand of the Earl of Artois's daughter. Driven by the rigid social codes of chivalry, Eglamour must overcome physical combat, exile, and the separation of his family to restore his honor. The text utilizes the conventions of the Middle English verse romance, emphasizing external tests of character and the eventual restoration of order. The narrative framework relies on episodic progression, typical of the genre, to detail the protagonist's movement through various geographic and social landscapes.

Readers and scholars frequently highlight this work as a quintessential example of the Middle English verse romance tradition. Discussion often centers on the structural simplicity of the plot compared to more complex Arthurian cycles, noting its focus on linear progression and moral clarity. Critics observe that the text serves as a valuable linguistic artifact for those studying the evolution of the English language during the medieval period. The balance of action and character development is typical of the era, prioritizing the knight's adherence to duty over internal psychological exploration.