Part 1 explores the early adventures and knighthood journey of the protagonist, Nigel Loring. Nigel encounters supernatural events such as meeting a devil in mysterious Waverley and encountering a yellow horse in Crooksbury. These incidents test his courage and determination, shaping his character through experiences like the summoner's visit at the manor house in Tilford and his trial by the abbot of Waverley. Additionally, Nigel grows through various social scenarios in medieval England, from market activities in Guildford to hawking with the king on Crooksbury Heath and guarding the bridge at Tilford where he meets the king’s seneschal of Calais. These adventures provide a crucial backdrop for Nigel's first significant actions as a knight of England.

INTRODUCTION
I. THE HOUSE OF LORING
II. HOW THE DEVIL CAME TO WAVERLEY
III. THE YELLOW HORSE OF CROOKSBURY
IV. HOW THE SUMMONER CAME TO THE MANOR HOUSE OF TILFORD
V. HOW NIGEL WAS TRIED BY THE ABBOT OF WAVERLEY
VI. IN WHICH LADY ERMYNTRUDE OPENS THE IRON COFFER
VII. HOW NIGEL WENT MARKETING TO GUILDFORD
VIII. HOW THE KING HAWKED ON CROOKSBURY HEATH
IX. HOW NIGEL HELD THE BRIDGE AT TILFORD
X. HOW THE KING GREETED HIS SENESCHAL OF CALAIS
XI. IN THE HALL OF THE KNIGHT OF DUPLIN
XII. HOW NIGEL FOUGHT THE TWISTED MAN OF SHALFORD
XIII. HOW THE COMRADES JOURNEYED DOWN THE OLD, OLD ROAD