A chivalric idealist attempts to revive the age of knight-errantry in 18th-century England, leading to a series of chaotic encounters and social misunderstandings. Sir Launcelot Greaves, driven by personal misfortune and a desire to rectify societal wrongs, dons armor and sets out to defend the oppressed. He is accompanied by his pragmatic squire, Timothy Crabshaw, whose grounded perspective provides a constant foil to the protagonist's delusions. The narrative follows their progress through a landscape filled with corrupt officials, opportunistic criminals, and bewildered commoners. The story is presented through a third-person perspective that emphasizes the absurdity of applying medieval codes to a modern, cynical world.

Discussion often centers on the novel's status as a direct homage to Cervantes, specifically examining how Smollett adapts the knight-errant archetype for a British context. Readers frequently highlight the sharp contrast between the protagonist's noble intentions and the gritty, often cruel reality of the world he inhabits. Critics often point to the work's historical significance as one of the earliest examples of a serialized novel, noting the unique interplay between the text and its original illustrations. The pacing is frequently described as brisk and episodic, reflecting its origins as a serial publication. Many readers find the satirical elements effective, though some note that the protagonist's singular focus can make the narrative feel repetitive over time.