Probably the most famous legendary character in English folklore, Robin Hood is also one of the most elusive. The popular outlaw from Nottinghamshire has fascinated people all over the world thanks to the legends passed down through the generations, and turned into countless books, films and TV series.
The general consensus is that Robin Hood lived in Sherwood Forest, in the heart of Nottinghamshire, with his companions, or “merry men”, and that he robbed the rich who passed through that forest to give the spoils to the poor. According to the stories, his arch enemy was the Sheriff of Nottingham, a local agent of the central government. Other enemies included any wealthy landowners, particularly rich members of the Church.
REALITY
Many attempts have been made to prove that Robin Hood was in fact a real historical figure, but the only concrete evidence of his existence can be found in a few chronicle references and ballads. Although some of them date back to the 14th century, even the medieval chronicle writers who make reference to Robin Hood clearly state that the ballads themselves were the only source material available to them.
These old documents are the closest we can come to any written evidence that such a person existed, and they don’t even contain all of the familiar elements of the story. It wasn’t until the 16th century and later that the Robin character changed from being a simple outlaw to a fallen nobleman.
Robin’s lady love, Maid Marion, didn’t appear till later still when the stories took on a more romantic flavour and lost some of their revolutionary nature and social bite.
HISTORICAL PERIOD
One popular modern belief is that Robin Hood lived at the time of Richard I, the great crusader king who earned the title of Coeur de Lion —the Lionheart.
Richard was said to be the hero of Robin Hood and his merry men as they campaigned against the cruelty of Richard’s wicked brother, John. When Richard was captured and imprisoned by the German king while sailing back to England from a crusade, John ruled England mercilessly, with the Sheriff of Nottingham as his most ruthless representative.
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MEDIEVAL LIFE
While many of the stories remain unproven, one thing is certain: cruelty was an integral part of medieval life. Robin Hood’s time was an era of turbulence, rebellions and agrarian discontent, which led, for example, to the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. The earlier Robin Hood ballads may have been the poetic expression of popular feeling at the time. It’s easy to imagine suffering common people enjoying a ballad about a free but persecuted outlaw hunting in the forest and outwitting the oppressive forces of law and order.
MEANING
Perhaps the question we should ask ourselves is not whether Robin Hood was a real figure, but what he came to represent —and why. Over the years, he has symbolised Saxon defiance of Norman rule, free access to common land and the forest, and a quest for justice. Interestingly, Robin Hood’s political significance today is very similar, centring on taxation of the rich as a means of redistributing wealth and reducing inequality in society. So, perhaps it’s not surprising that Robin Hood remains a popular, iconic figure and a symbol of progressive thinking rather than a throwback to the past.
Was King John really all that bad?
King John, despite his terrible reputation, is also responsible for signing the famous royal charter known as the Magna Carta, probably the greatest constitutional document of all time. In fact, the evidence that established King John’s bad reputation almost certainly comes from a fictitious pedigree invented by the 18th-century antiquary, physician and Anglican clergyman, William Stukeley. The Magna Carta, signed in Runnymede near Windsor in 1215, remains an important symbol of liberty today. It is often cited by politicians and campaigners, and is hugely respected by legal communities in the UK and the US. As the foundation of the freedom of the individual against the arbitrary authority of the despot, its signing —albeit under pressure— was an extraordinary act by a king.
robin IN NOTTINGHAM
The presence of Robin Hood and his legend is greatly felt in the city of Nottingham and its surrounding area. One of the most photographed sites in the city is the statue of Robin Hood. Unveiled in 1952, he stands, bow drawn, on a small green space known as Robin Hood Lawn beneath Nottingham Castle. The castle itself, recently reopened after a £30 million renovation, harbours tales of Robin Hood and rebellion, historic caves, and curated art collections and exhibitions. For an exciting immersive experience, Robin Hood Adventures can be booked on a visit to the castle. It includes stories and ballads about the outlaw and interactive games that evoke the dangers of medieval life. Elsewhere in the city, Saint Mary’s church is Nottingham’s oldest religious building; it is here where, according to the legend, the Sheriff of Nottingham captured Robin Hood. Visitors can also see where he was imprisoned, in a dungeon now located at the National Justice Museum. Deep in Sherwood Forest, near the village of Edwinstowe in Nottinghamshire County, stands an impressive English oak tree known as The Major Oak, allegedly, used as a hideout by Robin Hood and his merry men.