Robin Hood
Created | Updated Mar 22, 2002
Aka Robyn Hode, Robin Wode, Robin of the Wood and many other
variations on that theme. Robin Hood, as he is most commonly known today,
is a legendary hero of rather ambiguous background. He is commonly
thought to have existed in England during the Middle Ages, a rather
depressing time. Some say he never existed at all, and is merely the
stuff of ballads, plays, novels, cartoons and films starring fit, young men.
Those who do agree that he existed find other things to bicker about.
Some say he lived during the time of Richard the Lionhearted, others around
1066 during the Norman invasion of William the Conqueror. Others maintain he
lived around the time of Edward II and still others claim differently.
There is also controversy over what he actually did. Some say he robbed
from the rich to give to the poor. Others say he just robbed from the rich.
Others say he just robbed. Yet even this is not unanimously agreed on.
Most agree that he led a merry band of men, or at least a good-natured
band of men, or even a somber band of men, who did heroic things, or nasty things or
whatever suited them.
Some of these men are reputed to be:
Little John aka John Naylor;
Will Scarlet aka Will Scathlock aka Will Gamwell;
Alan a Dale;
Friar Tuck;
Will Stutely;
and Much the Miller's Son.
Some claim his band of allegedly merry men also included women.
Considering the times he was supposed to live in, this hardly seems likely,
although the men probably wouldn't have minded if it were so.
The first known mention in print, or at least a very early one, of Robin Hood appears
in a story in the late 14th century called "Piers the Ploughman", but it is only a passing
reference and much more complete writings about him came in ballads a few years later.
Some say Robin Hood had a lover named Marian, others claim her name was Mathilda.
Most people seem to think Robin lived in Sherwood forest. How he came to live
there as an outlaw is another matter entirely. Some say he was a noblemen who lost
his lands for actually being noble, others say he was just a middle class yeomen who was cheated
out of his property for similar behavior.
Whatever the true story of Robin Hood, he remains a cultural icon and
personifies smashing ideals of chivalry, honor, wit and courage.
variations on that theme. Robin Hood, as he is most commonly known today,
is a legendary hero of rather ambiguous background. He is commonly
thought to have existed in England during the Middle Ages, a rather
depressing time. Some say he never existed at all, and is merely the
stuff of ballads, plays, novels, cartoons and films starring fit, young men.
Those who do agree that he existed find other things to bicker about.
Some say he lived during the time of Richard the Lionhearted, others around
1066 during the Norman invasion of William the Conqueror. Others maintain he
lived around the time of Edward II and still others claim differently.
There is also controversy over what he actually did. Some say he robbed
from the rich to give to the poor. Others say he just robbed from the rich.
Others say he just robbed. Yet even this is not unanimously agreed on.
Most agree that he led a merry band of men, or at least a good-natured
band of men, or even a somber band of men, who did heroic things, or nasty things or
whatever suited them.
Some of these men are reputed to be:
Little John aka John Naylor;
Will Scarlet aka Will Scathlock aka Will Gamwell;
Alan a Dale;
Friar Tuck;
Will Stutely;
and Much the Miller's Son.
Some claim his band of allegedly merry men also included women.
Considering the times he was supposed to live in, this hardly seems likely,
although the men probably wouldn't have minded if it were so.
The first known mention in print, or at least a very early one, of Robin Hood appears
in a story in the late 14th century called "Piers the Ploughman", but it is only a passing
reference and much more complete writings about him came in ballads a few years later.
Some say Robin Hood had a lover named Marian, others claim her name was Mathilda.
Most people seem to think Robin lived in Sherwood forest. How he came to live
there as an outlaw is another matter entirely. Some say he was a noblemen who lost
his lands for actually being noble, others say he was just a middle class yeomen who was cheated
out of his property for similar behavior.
Whatever the true story of Robin Hood, he remains a cultural icon and
personifies smashing ideals of chivalry, honor, wit and courage.
