The end of the 12th century was a period of terrible disorder for England. During the absence of King Richard I (Lionheart), who had gone on crusade, the Norman aristocracy, descended from the invaders of William the Conqueror, committed scandalous abuses against the native people of the country, who were called the Saxons. It was then that these people, persecuted, dispossessed, outlawed, took to the hills. The legendary Robin Hood, a young country gentleman, became the most famous of the bandit leaders. And soon he was known throughout the country as the friend and defender of the poor and the oppressed, the enemy of all those who abused their power and wealth.