The pre-credits sequence begins in Nottinghamshire, England 1192, with the character Allan-a-Dale being caught poaching deer by mounted soldiers. The leader of the group threatens to cut off Allan-a-Dale's hand, in response Alan pleads that he has a pregnant wife to feed. As the soldiers prepare to remove a finger (to which Allan-a-Dale had agreed in return for not being arrested) Robin stops them by shooting arrows around the hand of the man holding the axe. He then convinces the men that he has them surrounded. However, after they begin to leave, Much (Robin's best friend and former man servant) comes out of hiding, and from his taunts the soldiers realise there are only the two opponents. The pair proceed to run for their lives.