It is the only early ballad to be set in Sherwood Forest near Nottingham, and it features Little John, one of the best-known members of the band of Merry Men. One of the oldest known written ballads about the forest outlaw, “Robin Hood and the Monk,” dates to around this time. The Middle English translates roughly to “Although I can’t recite the Lord’s Prayer (Paternoster), I do know the rhymes of Robin Hood.” Putting Robin Hood’s name in an uneducated character’s mouth demonstrates that the legend would have been well known to most commoners, regardless of whether they could read or write.īy the 15th century the Robin Hood legend took on its first trappings of rebellion against the ruling class. I kan noght parfitly my Paternoster as the preest it syngeth, In Langland’s work a poorly educated parson repents and confesses that he is ignorant of Latin: The first known reference in English verse to Robin Hood is found in The Vision of Piers Plowman, written by William Langland in the second part of the 14th century (shortly before Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales). Some theorize that they originally derived from troubadours’ songs that reported news and events. These three formats all grew out of an oral tradition. When historical records failed to yield a definitive personage behind the noble outlaw, scholars than turned to the popular culture of medieval England: folklore, poetry, and ballads. Instead, the moniker seems to have become a typical alias used by outlaws in various periods and locations across England. Because Hunter and other 19th-century historians discovered many different records attached to the name Robin Hood, most scholars came to agree that there was probably no single person in the historical record who inspired the popular stories. In 1354, farther north in Northamptonshire, there is a record of an imprisoned man named “Robin Hood” who was awaiting trial.
The previous year there had been a reference to “William, son of Robert le Fevere member of a band of outlaws”-believed to be the same person. In 1262, in southern England, there is a similar mention of a man called William Robehod in Berkshire. It cites the expropriation of the property of one Robin Hood, described as a fugitive. One of the oldest references he found is in a 1226 court register from Yorkshire, England. Historian and archivist Joseph Hunter discovered that many different Robin Hoods dotted the history of medieval England, often with variant spellings. With each new iteration, the Robin Hood legend would absorb new characters, settings, and traits-evolving into the familiar legend of today. As the centuries passed, the tale of Robin Hood evolved as England evolved. The earliest versions would be almost unrecognizable when compared to the green-clad, bow-wielding Robin Hood of today. When the story is traced back to its 14th-century beginnings, the figure of Robin Hood changes with time. His name can be found all over the English map: Robin Hood’s Cave and Robin Hood’s Stoop in Derbyshire Robin Hood’s Well in Barnsdale Forest, Yorkshire and Robin Hood’s Bay, also in Yorkshire. Like the roots of Sherwood Forest, the origins of the Robin Hood story extend deep into English history. The story has been around for centuries, but its most familiar elements are also the most recent additions. Set in England during the reign of King Richard the Lionheart, the adventures of Robin Hood follow the noble thief as he woos the beautiful Maid Marian and thwarts the evil Sheriff of Nottingham. Team up with Little John and the rest of the Merry Men as the battle for the King’s throne ensues in this stealth-based, real-time strategy game.Stealing from the rich to give to the poor, Robin Hood and his Merry Men are a permanent part of popular culture. Roam the dense foliage of Sherwood, come face to face with royal trouble and battle against Prince John’s forces as you take on the role of legendary nobleman, Robin Hood.
Only one man takes up the struggle against the oppressors, supported by a small band of brave and loyal followers. England, Anno Domini 1190 – Richard the Lionheart is held prisoner and his brother, Prince John rules over the simple peasants with an iron hand and this pure force of arms forces them to bend to authority.
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