At Rotherwood, Northern England, home of Saxon noble Cedric, stormy weather causes several travellers to seek shelter. It is the end of the 3rd crusade. Scant news from Europe suggests that King Richard I (the Lionheart) is held captive in Austria. There is tension between Normans and Saxons and the Jews are hated by everyone. Elsewhere in England, Prince John is plotting to take the English throne for himself, but first he needs money from Jewish moneylender, Isaac of York.