Nottinghamshire 1192
A man, ready to shoot a deer, suddenly finds himself surrounded by soldiers. He takes off running, but is quickly over-taken by the soldiers.
He's informed that the price for killing the king's deer is his right hand. However, if he admits guilt right then and there, then the punishment will be reduced to the loss of a finger.
Two of the soldiers hold the man, harassing him to splay his hand out on the log. A third soldier places his own hand there to show him.
All of a sudden a batch of arrows comes flying, surrounding the soldier's hand on the log. Everyone is caught off guard, and the punishment is stayed for the moment as the soldiers look around for the source of the arrows.
A hooded man comes from behind a tree and with the help of his friend, who stays hidden, they convince the soldiers that there are more of them than there really are. The soldiers release the man and ride off.
As the soldiers ride off, the hooded man's friend chastises them and inadvertently reveals that there really are only two of them, him and his master. The soldiers turn around and take chase.
The two of them take off running through the woods. They are able to find shelter in a hollowed out place under the roots of a large tree. The hooded man, who really is no longer hooded, pulls some branches up over top of them to further hide them as the soldiers stream past the tree.
Once the danger has passed, they come out from their hiding place, and we learn the manservant's name is Much. Then the two of them continue their journey toward home. Much dreams of rivers to bathe in and wonderful food to eat and says how he cannot wait to reach home.
They come upon man digging a ditch. The man's daughter eyes the two of them from the large open barn where she is working with large sheets of cloth. The man offers them a hearty meal of roast pig in exchange for helping him dig the ditch. Despite Much's previous words of going straight home without any further delays, the smell of roast pork is too much, and he begs Master to allow them to work for food.
Eventually, Master returns some cups to the man's daughter, Sarah, in the large open barn. Sarah makes it quite plain that she has a physical interest in him. And she invites them to stay the night in the barn. Master claims that it would not be a good idea.
Sarah takes a hold of his arm. Master protests, "Your father..."
"Would kill you if he saw," she replies, "but he won't see." She yanks down a length of cloth and then pulls his mouth down to hers for an energetic kiss. He pulls away to protest again, but with a loud exhale of surrender, swoops in for another vigorous kiss.
The man and Much begin talking, and the man reveals that the old sheriff is gone, and that there's a new sheriff in place who keeps raising the taxes, and he's being dying cloth for the sheriff because he can't afford the taxes.
During this time, the cloth has fallen aside, revealing Master and Sarah in compromising circumstances. Much becomes distracted by Sarah and his master. His worry makes him babble, and his furtive glances at Sarah and Master finally alert Sarah's father that something is going on behind him.
When he sees his daughter in the arms of the stranger, the fight is on. He goes after Master. Eventually, Master is able to best the woman's father, and he and Much escape down the road. The pair ends up spending the night in the woods.
The next morning, they complete the journey home.
Home, however, is not as they left it.
As they make their way through Locksley, the villagers all run and hide. Finally, they come across someone they remember, and who remembers them: Dan Scarlet. It is revealed that Master's real name is Robin. As they talk, the harshness of the new sheriff is revealed. In fact, Dan Scarlet is now missing a hand for taking punishment in place of his sons. Dan also reveals the death of his wife whom he thought had been eating, but had in fact been allowing herself to go without so that their sons, Will and Lukie could eat.
Robin also learns that Gisborne of Gisborne has been running his estate.
While they continue to talk some soldiers come into the village and start pulling the people from their homes. Some flour has gone missing from the stores. The soldiers discover a couple of bags of flour and the grab the teenage boy who had them.
While the leader, a man wearing all black leather, is threatening the people and threatening to find the rest of the thieves, Robin steps forward to speaks.
He assumes correctly that this man is Guy of Gisborne. Robin is instructed to call him 'sir' and bow before him, which Robin does as a gesture of good faith. Obviously, neither the soldiers, nor Gisborne, know who he is.
"My name is Robin, Earl of Huntingdon, and lord of this manor. Your services here are no longer required."
Much drapes Robin's noble robes across his shoulders and the villagers all bow down in deference. Gisborne nods in displeased acknowledgement.
~
Locksley Manor
Robin makes his way to the manor, greeting several of his people by name. He and his estate manager, Thornton, share an enthusiastic welcome. Thornton immediately orders a bath and change of clothes for Robin. Much requests one as well, and to Thornton's surprise, Robin announces that for services rendered in the Holy Land, Much is now a free man, and upon King Richard's return will be given the fields and lodge at Bonchurch. Until then, Much is a guest in Robin's home. As Much takes himself upstairs to enjoy a bath and a plate of something, Sir Guy of Gisborne enters the manor.
Because he managed Robin's estates, Gisborne demands more respect be shown him in front of the populace.
Robin asks Gisborne how long he's been there.
"Three years, four winters," says Gisborne.
"And yet you still do not have the respect of the populace?" Robin asks with a hint of disdain.
Before Gisborne leaves they have a little conversation about the war in the Holy Land. Gisborne mentions he's seen Robin fight, but claims not to remember when or where. He also tells Robin that the sheriff has called a meeting of the Council of Nobles, and that there will probably be a feast to celebrate Robin's safe return.
Robin says he will also celebrate his safe return by pardoning the people of his village who are awaiting trial or punishment.
Gisborne reminds him those pardons can only be granted by the sheriff. Robin counters that the sheriff usually accedes to his noble's requests. Gisborne suggests Robin take it up with the sheriff and then leaves.
Their conversation leaves Robin unsettled and concerned for all the local villages, as well as England as a whole. He decides to visit Sir Edward, the former sheriff of Nottingham, to get some information.
He goes upstairs to round up Much.
Much has been enjoying the bath, but has experienced a moment of sorrow and pain over their experiences in the Holy Land. When he hears Robin's voice, he quickly splashes water over his face to wash away the tears.
In the meantime, the Locksley cooks have prepared a feast to celebrate Robin's return. As Robin leaves to see Sir Edward, he tells Thornton to invite the villagers of Locksley to eat. And that no one of the household should eat, not even him (Robin) or Much, until every last villager has eaten his fill.
~
Knighton Hall
As Robin and Much approach Knighton Hall, Sir Edward comes flying out the door, yelling at them to leave. He doesn't want anything to do with him. Even though Robin announces himself, Edward still accuses him of being a crook and a deceiver. Edward's daughter, Marian, steps out holding an armed bow aimed at Robin. She also warns Robin to go away and stay away.
Robin is pleased to see her, and even more pleased to realize she remains unmarried.
~
Locksley Manor
When Robin returns to Locksley, the villagers thank him for the meal. He sees Dan Scarlet waiting for him. Dan Scarlet tells Robin that his boys have been arrested for stealing the flour. Robin assures him that he will resolve the issue.
~
Nottingham Town
The following day, Robin goes to Nottingham Town to attend the meeting of the Council of Nobles. He and Much note how empty the streets are even though it is supposed to be market day. They are very disturbed by what they see.
In his chambers, the new sheriff finds it highly amusing that Gisborne and his twenty-four men were ousted from Locksley by Robin and his one man, Much. Gisborne does not find it amusing at all. However, the sheriff promises to get Locksley back to Gisborne within a month.
Robin disrupts the meeting of the Council of Nobles by sauntering in late. He then takes issue with the sheriff about the condition of his estate and the over taxation of the poor to finance the Holy War. He suggests the sheriff stop taxation until the poor can make more than they need to bring to market to trade. And then the shire can take its share.
The sheriff is none-to-pleased with Robin or his remarks. After the meeting, he stalks to his chambers and grabs one of his caged finches. He caresses it for a moment and then crushes it in his bare hands.
~
As he's heading for the dungeon, the Lady Marian waylays Robin in a corridor. She reveals that her home is being watched (presumably by the sheriff's minions), and that her father wants to speak with Robin. She also berates him for his actions toward the sheriff so far, all the while wearing an expression that seems to say she is happy to see him.
Robin takes the opportunity to tell Marian that he thinks they still have a connection. She thinks his words nothing more than drivel. Her pleasure at his attentions, however, negates the harshness of her words. He tries to kiss her, but she doesn't allow it. As she walks away, a smile still on her face, she bumps him in the shoulder.
Down in the dungeon, Robin questions the three lads about their crime and discovers that they are to be hanged. Everyone is equally disturbed by the severity of the punishment. As the boys are being dragged back to their cell, Luke Scarlet calls out to Robin that his dad told them that Robin would save them.
A moment later, the man who almost lost a hand for killing one of the king's deer is brought in, claiming to be from Locksley as well. Robin declines to help him as he fears he cannot even help his own people.
~
Robin approaches the sheriff during the feast the one being held in his honor and asks for pardon for his peasants.
The sheriff says he's heard that Robin has come back from the Holy Land weak, no longer able to fight or kill. He refuses to grant Robin's request for clemency, and informs Robin that he was chosen to oversee the hangings.
The sheriff leaves and Marian enters the area over-looking the great hall. Gisborne requests the pleasure of her company and Marian looks appropriately stunned and uncomfortable by his attentions in front of Robin. She smiles uneasily, but allows Gisborne to lead her down to the festivities. Robin watches them descend. Marian glances back up at him once from behind Gisborne's back, a nervous expression on her face.
~
Knighton Hall
Later that night, sometime after midnight (as instructed), Robin and Much knock on the door of Knighton Hall. Marian answers it and urges them in before anyone sees them.
Robin learns that Sir Edward's bid for the shire was not accepted and Prince John gave it to this new sheriff instead. And despite his position on the Council of Nobles, no one listens to him any more. He tells Robin it is up to him. That he must watch his back and consolidate his position slowly and quietly.
Robin says he doesn't have time his four peasants are to be hanged in the morning.
Even Marian thinks they should be sacrificed. That it is a test he cannot fail. If he does, there will be consequences.
Back home at Locksley, Robin stares at the fire late into the night as he contemplates his choices.
~
The next day, in the castle square, as Robin and Much arrive, Robin must endure being called a murderer and being spat upon as makes his way to the front of the proceedings. Dan Scarlet is there and absolves Robin of any wrongdoing.
As the peasants are being brought forth, Robin must read some sort of proclamation against the boys. The sheriff has abducted Much and threatens to toss him off the wall if Robin does not proceed as planned. (We learn that the date is April 26, 1192.)
Robin reads the proclamation of their guilt and punishment and then the hoods are placed over the boys' heads.
A man from crowd cries out to claim benefit of clergy for the four. He says he heard their confessions the night before, along with their request to take the cloth. After consulting with the bishop, the man says he will confer the status of novice on each man.
The sheriff orders the hangings to proceed and the man to be arrested.
As the boys dangle, and the sheriff walks away in glee, Robin cannot take it. He grabs a bow and arrow from a soldier and takes aim at one of the ropes. As he does, he speaks.
"People of Nottingham..." The first arrow drops the first boy. He takes aim on the second rope. "These men have committed no crime worth more than a spell in the stocks." He drops the second boy. He takes aim on the third and fourth ropes two arrows, one bow. "Will you tolerate this injustice...? I, for one, will not." The last two boys drop to the platform and the soldiers pull out their swords.
Under the surprised eyes of Marian, the sheriff, and Gisborne, Robin fights off one after another soldier.
Until Much calls for help from the wall. He is being held by two soldiers. Robin heaves a sword through the air, which bounces off the heads of the two soldiers causing them to release Much.
All heck breaks loose in the square. Dan hugs his sons, Will and Luke, and they head for freedom.
As Robin watches the tumult, a soldier behind him takes aim with a bow and arrow. Much calls out a warning and Robin turns around. As does the sheriff, Gisborne, and Marian, who now wears a look of fear.
The soldier raises the arrow, and readies to take the shot. As the sheriff nods for the soldier to shoot, Marian pulls a hair decoration from her head and flings it at the soldier. It hits him in the arm and his arrow misses Robin.
Robin looks at the soldier and then at Marian. She raises her brows and turns away. He notices the other hair decoration still in her hair and sees that they are a matched set. He smiles after her.
Much makes it back down to the square and they all race for the gate. They grab some horses and prepare to escape the keep. There is a squad of archers, however, blocking the path and ready to spray them with arrows.
They take off straight for the archers, who scatter as the horses approach and go racing by.
~
Sherwood Forest
That night, as they sit around the fire, unable to go home, Much laments the loss of his Bonchurch.
Robin hears something. They look up and find a group of men on the top of the low cliff aiming bows and arrows at them, and claiming the forest as their own.