Robin Hood, Real or Legend?

Sorry Hollywood, but for who was king during the time of Robin Hood we have to rule out the earlier Plantagenet kings, especially Richard I (who never actually returned to England), and of course King John. 

Some Historians favour Henry III (No that’s third not eighth), because there was noted in court rolls a Robert (Hobbehod) Hod of Yorkshire was a fugitive in 1225-6. However, there are other candidates for the bandit of legend. For example, Records show a man named Robin Hood lived in Wakefield, Yorkshire in the 13th and 14th centuries. Please note the dates!

In the earliest ballad of the ‘Guest of Robin Hood’ the king’s name is given as Edward, but is this Edward I or ‘Longshanks’?  There is some suggestion that the legend of Robin Hood in the ‘Guest’ mirrors William Wallace, or at least uses some of the Wallace legend.  Evidence to support this theory is at best sketchy.

 

Edward II (1307-1327) is a better bet, even if he was a bit on the gay side and married to Isabella (the She-Wolf of France), who’s lover Roger Mortimer invaded England – but this is another story.  Anyway, it was around this time that a man named Robyn Hood is recorded as a porter in the king's service, but he buggered off after a year (can’t blame him).  This is also included in the ballad of the ‘Guest’ in which Robin is pardoned by the king and goes to work for him, but there is additional evidence to support the king being Edward II.

 

Records show that in June 1323, a Little John was part of a group who made off with deer in Yorkshire.  Note the date.  Also according to legend, Little John or ‘John Little’ as he was also known, was pardoned and lived out his days in Hathersage, Derbyshire.  His grave can be found in the churchyard of St. Michael, with the original medieval gravestone just inside the entrance to the church that had once contained his cap and bow.  Although there are other candidates for this position, this is the most likely.

 

While there was an outlaw named Friar Tuck (real name Robert Stafford), he did not live around the time of any of the Robin Hoods contesting the title of legendary outlaw – he never knew the sod. Sorry ladies, Maid Marian is myth.  Much the Millar’s Son and Will Scarlet are probably real people. William Scarlet was one of many who received a pardon in 1318, once again note the date. While there are others with similar names, this is adding to the circumstantial evidence that supports the ballad of the ‘Guest’.

 

Robin’s grave is claimed to be near the site of Kirklees Priory, near Mirfield in West Yorkshire.  While the Priory gatehouse still stands and is part of a working farm and private property, the grave itself is difficult to find. The owner of the property once told me that she does not believe Robin to be buried there.  Nevertheless, a group from Nottingham did arrange to visit the site on an annual basis. Is Robin, fact or fiction? Who knows?

 

Don't forget Karin's books: http://cookcompanies.com