In the time of Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor, in the area of Italy known as Lombardy, Dardo Bartoli is walking with his son Rudi when they encounter Count Ulrich, known as "the Hawk", together with his niece, Lady Anne, and his lover, Dardo's unfaithful wife Francesca. Dardo shows off his skill as an archer by shooting down Ulrich's expensive Medieval hunting. In revenge, the count takes Dardo's son to his castle. Dardo is struck by an arrow while rescuing Rudi, so the boy allows himself to be recaptured in order to draw the soldiers away.