1. Catherine's father arranges her marriage to a wealthy man named Shaggy Beard, who is old enough to be her grandfather and has a reputation for cruelty. Catherine is horrified and determined to avoid the marriage.
2. Catherine's mother, Lady Aislinn, is pregnant and gives birth to a baby boy, Robert, who is sickly and requires constant attention. This leaves Lady Aislinn unable to care for Catherine as much as she would like.
3. Catherine becomes friends with a young priest, Father Ralph, who is kind and understanding and helps her to cope with the stress of her situation. Catherine also forms a friendship with a young boy named Perkin, who is the son of a local farmer.
4. Catherine's father dies, and she is forced to move to her uncle's house. Her uncle is a cruel man who treats Catherine poorly and tries to force her to marry Shaggy Beard.
5. Catherine is rescued by Father Ralph and Perkin and escapes to a nunnery. She decides to become a nun rather than marry Shaggy Beard.