The Outlaw with a Past: The Search for Robin Hood
by Although the legend of Robin Hood has persisted for centuries, no one knows if he ever really existed. The earliest visual representation of him, is in a “biography” entitled A Lyttell Geste of Robyn Hode, probably written about 1400…To this day, the figure of Robin Hood remains elusive. Whether he actually existed as a real person or was a fictional representation of one or more real-life outlaws, his origins will continue to entertain and intrigue young and old alike.
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The Outlaw with a Past: The Search for Robin Hood
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Robin Hood is a familiar figure in history. The medieval outlaw who robbed the rich to give to the poor, outwitted the cruel sheriff of Nottingham and bad King John, and dwelt with his band of merry followers in Sherwood forest has long been celebrated in prose and poetry. On stage and screen, he has captivated countless generations.
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Yet behind the character lurks an enigma: Who, exactly, was Robin Hood? Did he exist at all?
Fact and Fantasy
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The evidence for his existence is flimsy. In 13th century England there were a number of people who answered to his name or to something close to it: Robert Hood of Wakefield or Barnsdale in Yorkshire: Robin Hode, a humble servant to King Edward II; Robert Hude, an almost illegible name on a gravestone at Kirklees, also in Yorkshire; and Gilbert Robynhod of Sussex, fro another part of England altogether.
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There is also an obscure manuscript record that in 1225 a certain Robert Hood was outlawed for nonpayment of a debt or fine. However, despite exhaustive searches of local records of the time historians, there is little that definitely connects any of these men with the legendary Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest.
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But if the real Robin Hood cannot be traced, his story should not be limited as a work of pure fiction; within every legend there is usually some grain of truth.
In medieval England lived many a true outlaw. Most famous was Hereward the Wake, the last Anglo-Saxon chieftain to resist the Norman Conquest of 1066. And countless other, less well known people fled the harsh and punitive justice of the day to take refuge in the thick forests that covered the English countryside.
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Their exploits formed the basis of many stories, exaggerated and embellished as they were told and retold. Thus, tales about an outlaw Hood were being celebrated in ballad and poem throughout the country. By the end of the same century Hood was sufficiently well known to be mentioned in William Langland’s epic poem, Piers Plowman, one of the most famous works of early English literature. Around 1400 his life was celebrated in A Lyttell Geste of Robyn Hode, written by an unknown author. Not “lyttell” at all, or adventures, as an outlaw. It also contains details about his fellow renegades Little John, Will Searlock (later Scarlett), Much the Miller’s Son, and Friar Tuck.
Elusive Hero
Although the legend of Robin Hood has persisted for centuries, no one knows if he ever really existed. The earliest visual representation of him, is in a “biography” entitled A Lyttell Geste of Robyn Hode, probably written about 1400. In the more recent portrayal in the Victorian stained glass window; the famed outlaw shoots his last arrow.
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Into History
By the 16th century, Hood was an established historical figure. Henry VIII knew him, as did William Shakespeare, who set much of As You Like It in the Forest of Arden, where the exiled duke and his court “live like the old Robin Hood of England.” Hood was also becoming an important part in the celebrations marking May Day: Robin was associated with the character of the May King, and Maid Marian with the May Queen.
As stories about Robin Hood spread through word of mouth in taverns and at fairs and markets, they evolved and changed. Hood’s status was transformed from lowly yeoman, or small farmer, to disinherited earl of Huntingdon.
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And as a great forests of England were gradually cleared, the romance of Hood’s abode in the “greenwood” and his dress of Lincoln green – linking him to the supernatural realm of elves, fairies, and other magical forest sprite or elf, hodeken.
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To this day, the figure of Robin Hood remains elusive. Whether he actually existed as a real person or was a fictional representation of one or more real-life outlaws, his origins will continue to entertain and intrigue young and old alike.
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User Comments
cutedrishti8
On October 9, 2009 at 11:40 am
very well researched work..
lillyrose
On October 9, 2009 at 11:42 am
A nobel Legend to be cherished for ever! Very good write up, I enjoyed.
Katien
On October 9, 2009 at 11:46 am
As you say – there is a grain of truth in every story! I’m sure there must have been a few people about then who could have been like Robin, when you think how heavily forested England was then – it must have been beautiful.
ceegirl
On October 9, 2009 at 12:11 pm
good work
Darla Smith
On October 9, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Very interesting article.
ken bultman
On October 9, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Nice job. Lot of great pictures. If I’m going to believe in the Easter Bunny I’m sure not going to quit believing in Robin Hood.
DeSmet Spartan
On October 9, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Interesting
Susan
On October 9, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Robin Hood, at least in modern times, is celebrated not as a criminal but as someone who does whatever can be done to protect the innocent from criminals in power. Even as a fictional character he represents heroism. Although it’s true that the stories have been added to, the ideal remains true.
Mystify
On October 9, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I did know of the history and legends behind Robin hood but your both wroter and presented it brilliantly and even though I knew it was still a very interesting write and I was compeeled to read it.Terrific work!
martie
On October 9, 2009 at 7:17 pm
another excellent article. But then again I love history.
Momof4
On October 9, 2009 at 8:24 pm
A great article as always. Very intresting read. Well done! Thanks for sharing.
hollynoel001
On October 9, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Robin Hood whether he is real or not has been told for centuries as will probably will always be a favorite tale for children and adults –another great article very well researched
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Monica Sappleton
On October 9, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Interesting biography.
Monica.
John
On October 9, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Enjoyed this read. Thanks
wonder
On October 9, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Stories are usually true.Well researched , enjoyed it.
Shirley Shuler
On October 9, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Nice post, a lot of great pictures, thanks for sharing!
Idazalee
On October 9, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Great post! well-researched and very interesting story about Robin Hood,.Nice pictures..Enjoyed it! Thank you
Debra.
On October 10, 2009 at 12:52 am
The legend of Robin Hood is very intriguing as is the legend of King Arthur. Well done, MrGhaz!
CHAN LEE PENG
On October 10, 2009 at 6:03 am
Great piece as usual. Pics as well as the description.
Joe Dorish
On October 10, 2009 at 9:45 am
Well done Mr Ghaz about a huge historical or fictional figure!
Mrdavidjohnson
On October 10, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Robin hood real or fiction will always be needed as long as we continue to have people who are destined to be rich and poor
Christ
On October 10, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Great post! This was such a fab read loved it fab article from you.! a wonderful and fascinating article! Thank you mr Ghaz
Amry
On October 10, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Good job, Mr. Ghaz! This is a very well researched and written piece..so much informations..Thanks for sharing
Lorenzo A. Fernandez Jr.
On October 11, 2009 at 4:49 am
Job well done, Mr. Ghaz…
Phill Senters
On October 11, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Great job Mr G. The world needs more like him.
Hazel Crowther
On October 13, 2009 at 5:22 am
I love the story of Robin Hood, I was born near Nottingham, we had fun as children, acting and pretending to be him.
XXElleXX
On October 15, 2009 at 6:54 am
I think there is always a touch of truth in every myth or legend Mr Ghaz (by the way, it’s ‘Hiho’ – changed my pen-name). Robin Hood is actually a title and not a name..it goes back to the 1200’s..it is based on a person that did exist whose life parallels our “RobinHood” and was actually called “The Rabunhod”. An interesting and informative write my friend..and I look forward to reading more of yours
revivor
On October 16, 2009 at 5:25 am
one of the great Nottingham heroes (along with Brian Clough, Dereck Randall) – the castle is still there, Nottingham still has a sheriff and two pubs are in the city from 1100 ish (I went to school in Nottingham!!)
Uma Shankari
On March 2, 2010 at 1:35 am
You really work hard to produce a thorough entertaining piece. Well done.
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