Alan a Dale arrives in Sherwood threatening to kill the Sheriff. The object of his affections, Mildred, daughter of the Baron de Bracy, is being forced against her will to marry the Sheriff of Nottingham. Robin decides to help the young lovers.

Robin rescues a strange knight from an ambush and earns the gratitude of the most powerful man in England, King Richard, recently returned imprisonment in Europe. Robin readily accepts an invitation to fight at the King's side in Normandy, but the relationship soon sours.

Prince John descends on Nottingham with a mysterious prisoner whose identity is closely guarded. Herne prophesises the death of King Richard and the existence of the strange prisoner. The outlaws devise a plot to free the captive not realising why or what impact his name will have on them all, especially Marion.