Robin Hood
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
A popular folk hero of medieval England, Robin Hood , whose tale is contained in many English Ballads, was an outlaw said to reside in Sherwood Forest, near Nottinghamshire in the late 14th/early 15th century. (Although both the time and place are topics of much debate.)
The story has been a favourite during the 20th century and the subject of many adults and children's books, plays, operettas & films. The much romanticised story always follows similar lines to the following:
King Richard had left to fight in the Crusades and left his kingdom in the hands of his brother John. Prince John was a corrupt and greedy king, who raised taxes to extreme levels and conspired with his friend the Sheriff of Nottingham to permanently rule the kingdom, assuming his brother King Richard would be killed in the Crusades.
Before long a man appeared before the Sheriff for poaching on the King's land. He was outlawed and retreated to a life in Sherwood Forest and assumed the name of Robin Hood. He soon gathered followers, including the men known as Little John, Will Scarlett and Friar Tuck. Robin was an exceptional archer,and he and his 'merry men' set about tormenting and robbing the rich and the government,
frequently holding up carts travelling through the forest carrying recently collected taxes. Robin pitied the poor who were under John's rule and would give all money he stole back to the poverty-stricken townsfolk.
Prince John became angry at Robins doings and at the Sheriff's failure to apprehend Robin. He heard of Robin's ability with a bow and arrow, and of his growing love for John's neice, Maid Marian and set an archery contest, the winner to receive the hand of his niece in marriage. Robin knew, of course, that if he attended he would be captured, and so he went disguised, competed and won. However, Prince John had known Robin would be the incognito winner, and at the moment of his winning, had him arrested.
Robin's men soon came to the rescue. The night before Robin was due to be hung for High Treason To The Crown, Robin Hood's 'Merry Men' snuck past the dungeon guards to rescue Robin, and set the castle ablaze in a fierce battle to escape. Robin sought out the Sheriff, fought and killed him. Prince John was left trapped in the burning towers. Upon King Richard's return Robin Hood was knighted and married to Maid Marian.
Fanciful yet elegant, the tale is not known to be true. There are many doubts as to the existence of Robin Hood, and many very different variations on the story told here. However, the tale is much loved and Robin Hood upholds the typical characteristics of English folk heroes and the story continues to entertain.
The story has been a favourite during the 20th century and the subject of many adults and children's books, plays, operettas & films. The much romanticised story always follows similar lines to the following:
King Richard had left to fight in the Crusades and left his kingdom in the hands of his brother John. Prince John was a corrupt and greedy king, who raised taxes to extreme levels and conspired with his friend the Sheriff of Nottingham to permanently rule the kingdom, assuming his brother King Richard would be killed in the Crusades.
Before long a man appeared before the Sheriff for poaching on the King's land. He was outlawed and retreated to a life in Sherwood Forest and assumed the name of Robin Hood. He soon gathered followers, including the men known as Little John, Will Scarlett and Friar Tuck. Robin was an exceptional archer,and he and his 'merry men' set about tormenting and robbing the rich and the government,
frequently holding up carts travelling through the forest carrying recently collected taxes. Robin pitied the poor who were under John's rule and would give all money he stole back to the poverty-stricken townsfolk.
Prince John became angry at Robins doings and at the Sheriff's failure to apprehend Robin. He heard of Robin's ability with a bow and arrow, and of his growing love for John's neice, Maid Marian and set an archery contest, the winner to receive the hand of his niece in marriage. Robin knew, of course, that if he attended he would be captured, and so he went disguised, competed and won. However, Prince John had known Robin would be the incognito winner, and at the moment of his winning, had him arrested.
Robin's men soon came to the rescue. The night before Robin was due to be hung for High Treason To The Crown, Robin Hood's 'Merry Men' snuck past the dungeon guards to rescue Robin, and set the castle ablaze in a fierce battle to escape. Robin sought out the Sheriff, fought and killed him. Prince John was left trapped in the burning towers. Upon King Richard's return Robin Hood was knighted and married to Maid Marian.
Fanciful yet elegant, the tale is not known to be true. There are many doubts as to the existence of Robin Hood, and many very different variations on the story told here. However, the tale is much loved and Robin Hood upholds the typical characteristics of English folk heroes and the story continues to entertain.
