Although much of Robin Hood's story is clouded in myth and legend, he is believed to have lived between 1190 and 1307. However the earliest written reference to the character dates to a poem written by William Langland entitled 'The Vision of William Concerning Piers Plowman' penned in 1377.
Robin Hood and His Merry Men
A skilled archer and an outlaw, Robin Hood is famed for stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. He is surrounded by a loyal group of supporter colloquially known as his Merry Men, the names of whom are almost as famous as Robin Hood himself and include Maid Marion, Little Jon, Friar Tuck, Will Scarlett and Alan Adale. They are said to have lived in Sherwood Forest which was considerably larger than it is today, covering approximately 100,000 acres. Robin and his men, with the exception of Will Scarlett, are said to have dressed in clothes of Lincoln green to blend in with the forest foliage and were the bane of the Sherriff of Nottingham, Prince John and Guy of Gisbourne.
The York Assizes of 1225 list a number of people who could have been the 'real' Robin Hood; these include Robin Hod a fugitive who was a tenant of the Archbishop of York. Also Robin Hood, son of Adam, born in 1280 was recorded as living in Wakefield with his wife, Matilda. Records show at least 8 people living before the year 1300 AD who were given the name of Robin Hood, 5 of whom were convicted felons.
Sherwood Forest or Barnsdale Forest?
Although Robin is said to have lived in Sherwood Forest, Barnsdale Forest in Yorkshire has staked a claim to the legend. Based on the lyrics of an early ballad entitled 'Robin Hood and Sir Guy of Gisbourne', there is reference to Robin Hood of Barnsdale. However, The Sherriff of Nottingham is not disputed as Hood's main adversary and he would have had no jurisdiction outside of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. And along with the fact that Barnsdale Forest was not as densely wooded as Sherwood Forest, it can likely be discounted as Robin Hood's hideout.
The modern story of Robin Hood portrays him as a loyal defender of the absent King Richard. A minor nobleman by birth, Robin of Loxley, he has his land and property confiscated when he is caught poaching the absent King's deer. However, earlier stories describe Robin as a yeoman, which was lower middleclass at the time, driven to a live of crime because of the harsh Norman rule.
The Murder of Robin Hood
As with his life, various stories surround Robin's death but the most accepted version is that a relative, believed to be a cousin or aunt who was prioress of Kirklees Abbey near Huddersfield, was bribed to assassinate him. As he lay dying, Robin blew his horn which summoned his faithful friend Little John. Carefully Little John placed Robin's bow in his hand and carried him to the window. Asking Little John to bury him wherever the arrow landed he fired the arrow out of the window.
Robin Hood is believed to be buried in a mound at Kirklees Park.
Sources:
- BBC History online
- HistoricUK.com
- Robinofsherwood.org
- Wolfheadthroughthe ages.com
- Britain Express
- Robinhood.info.com
- Boldoutlaw.com
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