Since childhood, Robin Hood has been and remains a hero for many (eng. Robin Hood (and not “good” - “good”; “hood” - “hood”, it makes sense to “hide (cover with a hood)”, “robin” can be translated as "robin") - the noble leader of the forest robbers from medieval English folk ballads, according to them, Robin Hood acted with his gang in Sherwood Forest near Nottingham - robbed the rich, giving the spoils to the poor.
The legend of the noble robber has been living for more than six centuries, and the identity of the prototype of these ballads and legends has not been established.
In the 1377 edition of William Langland's Plowman Pierce, there is a reference to "poems about Robin Hood". Langland's contemporary Geoffrey Chaucer in "Troilus and Crisade" mentions "a hazel thicket where jolly robin". Moreover, the Gamlin's Tale, which was included by Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales, also features a robber hero.

Several real historical figures , which could serve as a prototype the legendary Robin. In the census registers for 1228 and 1230, the name of Robert Hood, nicknamed Brownie, is mentioned, about which it is said that he was a fugitive from justice. Around the same time, a popular movement arose under the leadership of Sir Robert Twing - the rebels raided the monasteries, and the looted grain was distributed to the poor. However, the name Robert Hood was quite common, so scientists are more inclined to believe that the prototype of Robin Hood was a certain Robert Fitzug, a contender for the title of Earl of Huntingdon, who was born around 1160 and died in 1247. In some reference books, these years even appear as dates for the life of Robin Hood, although written sources of that time do not contain any mention of a rebellious aristocrat named Robert Fitzug.

Who was king in the days of Robin Hood? Dating historical events is further complicated by the fact that various options legends mention various English monarchs. One of the first historians to deal with this problem, Sir Walter Bower, believed that Robin Hood was a participant in the 1265 uprising against King Henry III, which was led by a royal relative, Simon de Montfort. After the defeat of Montfort, many of the rebels did not disarm and continued to live like the hero of the ballads Robin Hood. “At this time,” Bower wrote, “the famous robber Robin Hood ... began to use great influence among those who were disinherited and outlawed for their part in the uprising.” The main contradiction of Bower's hypothesis is that the longbow mentioned in the Robin Hood ballads had not yet been invented at the time of de Montfort's rebellion.

A 1322 document mentions a "Robin Hood stone" in Yorkshire. It follows from this that the ballads, and perhaps the owner of the legendary name himself, were already well known by this time. Those inclined to look for traces of a genuine Robin Hood in the 1320s usually suggest the role of the noble robber Robert Hood, a tenant from Wakefield who in 1322 participated in the rebellion led by the Earl of Lancaster. In support of the hypothesis, information is given that in the following year King Edward II visited Nottingham and took into his service as a valet a certain Robert Hood, who was paid a salary for the next 12 months.

If we take the mention of King Edward II as a starting point, it turns out that the hero-robber performed his exploits in the first quarter of the 14th century. However, according to other versions, he appears on the historical stage as a brave warrior of King Richard I the Lionheart, whose reign fell on the last decade of the 12th century - it is this version, in the artistic presentation of Walter Scott, that is currently most popular. Since Walter Scott used the image of Robin Hood as the prototype for one of the characters in Ivanhoe in 1819, the noble robber has continued to be popular hero children's books, film and television.

In one of the most complete collections In the English ballads published by Francis Child in the 19th century, there are 40 works about Robin Hood, and in the 14th century, there were only four:

In the first novel Robin lends money and his trusty squire Little John to an impoverished knight in order to get revenge on the greedy abbot.

In the second- cunningly forces the hated sheriff from Nottingham to dine with him venison, which the robbers got in the patrimony of the law enforcement officer - Sherwood Forest.

In the third- Robin recognizes King Edward in disguise, who arrives incognito in Nottingham to investigate violations of the law by local rulers, and enters his service.

artist Daniel Content Published by Rand McNally & Co ~ 1928

artist Frank Godwin (1889 ~ 1959) Published by Garden City Publiching Co ~ 1932

In the fourth- the final part of the ballad, published in 1495, tells the story of Robin's return to robbery and the betrayal of the abbess of Kirklei abbey, who brings him to death by bloodletting when he comes to her monastery for treatment.

artist N. C. Wyeth Published by David McKay ~ 1917

In the early ballads, there is no mention of the maiden Marianne, Robin's lover. She first appears in the later versions of the legend, which arose at the end of the 15th century.

artist Frank Godwin (1889 ~ 1959) Published by Garden City Publiching Co ~ 1932:

artist Lucy Fitch Perkins Boston and New York, Houghton Mifflin Company ~ 1923

The giant, nicknamed Little John, is already present in the band of robbers in the original versions of the legend,

artist Lucy Fitch Perkins Boston and New York, Houghton Mifflin Company ~ 1923

artist Lucy Fitch Perkins Boston and New York, Houghton Mifflin Company ~ 1923

And brother Tak (a wandering monk, a jolly fat man) appears in a much later version. Yes, and Robin himself from a yeoman (a free peasant) eventually reincarnated into a noble exile.

artist Lucy Fitch Perkins Boston and New York, Houghton Mifflin Company ~ 1923

The association of Robin Hood with Robin Goodfellow, or Puck, is also known - a forest spirit in the folklore of the Frisians, Saxons and Scandinavians.

artist Lucy Fitch Perkins Boston and New York, Houghton Mifflin Company ~ 1923

Now most researchers agree that Robin Hood is a "pure creature folk muse". And, according to M. Gorky, "... the poetic feeling of the people made a hero out of a simple, perhaps robber, a hero almost equal to a saint" (preface to the collection "The Ballads of Robin Hood", Pg. 1919, p. 12).

artist Frank Godwin (1889 ~ 1959) Published by Garden City Publiching Co ~ 1932

BALLAD OF ROBIN HOOD
(translated by I. Ivanovsky)

O brave guy there will be a speech
His name was Robin Hood.
No wonder the memory of a daredevil
The people are protected.

artist N. C. Wyeth Published by David McKay ~ 1917

He hasn't shaved his beard yet.
And there was a shooter
And the heaviest bearded man
Couldn't compete with him.

But his house was burned by enemies,
And Robin Hood is gone
With a gang of valiant shooters
Gone to Sherwood Forest.

artist N. C. Wyeth Published by David McKay ~ 1917

artist Frank Godwin (1889 ~ 1959) Published by Garden City Publiching Co ~ 1932

Anyone shot without a miss,
Jokingly wielded a sword;
Two to attack six
They didn't care.

artist Lucy Fitch Perkins Boston and New York, Houghton Mifflin Company ~ 1923

There was a blacksmith, Little John -
Big man from big man,
Three healthy fellows
He carried it!

Who really was Robin Hood?

A romantic hero who robbed the rich to help the poor, or a bloodthirsty bandit who was idealized by later generations? What is the true face of a daring daredevil named Robin Hood?

AT historical chronicles Six hundred years ago, it is possible to find only a brief mention of the rogue of the same name, who hunted in the forests of Central England.

However, it is unlikely that the petty villain would have been awarded the attention of chroniclers if his deeds did not stand out in any way from a number of other events of those troubled times. And yet, when wars, plague and famine were commonplace, the historiography of that time gives him a few lines. The rest was taken care of by popular rumor.

Through the depths of time, numerous legends about a romantic robber have come down to our days, whose name, oddly enough, is now more widely known than during his lifetime. That name is Robin Hood.

Truth and fiction

1988, March - Nottingham city council, in the east-central part of the UK, released a report on the most famous citizen of the city. Because over the years the council has received thousands of inquiries about Robin Hood and his brave squad, the council decided to make a definite statement on this matter.

Despite the fact that the legends about Robin Hood have a long history, the members of the city council took it upon themselves to question the veracity of the legend of the elusive Robin and find out who Robin Hood was.

After a thorough study of the distant past of Nottingham, the researchers came to the conclusion that the brave hero, who robbed the rich to help the poor, did not even know the maiden Marian - according to legend, Robin Hood's beloved. Monk Tuk, they believe, is a completely fictional person. Little John was a vicious and grumpy man who had nothing in common with a carefree character from folklore. This interpretation was obtained by the results of the research.

Having debunked the legend, the members of the council hoped by this to gain fame for themselves as discoverers. However, they were only the latest in a series of skeptics. Because when studying the history of Robin Hood, it is almost impossible to separate fact from fiction. And before them, many undertook to explore this exciting story, but the image of Robin did not fade from this at all.

So, who is Robin Hood, where is the truth, and where is the fiction about a man whose exploits still excite readers, cinema and TV viewers? Some tend to take for granted what serious investigators have uncovered: Robin robbed passers-by on the Great North Road near Barnsdale in South Yorkshire and looted with his gang of outlaws in Sherwood Forest 30 miles from Nottingham. Others are more attracted by the romantic version of the legend that this handsome hero actually robbed, but only the rich, in order to give the stolen goods to the poor.

Facts in history

The first reports that Robin Hood was in charge in the forests and wastelands of England date back to 1261. However, in written sources, he was first mentioned only a hundred years later. This was done by the Scottish historian Fordun, who died in 1386.

The following information about Robin Hood in the chronicles refers to the 16th century.

According to the chronicler John Stowe, it was a robber during the reign of Richard I. He was the leader of a gang, which included a hundred brave outcasts. They were all excellent archers. Although they traded in robbery, yet Robin Hood “did not allow oppression or other violence against women. He did not touch the poor, distributing to them everything that he took away from the saints and noble rich.

We will consider this story from the most benevolent positions. Let's start with the fact that the existence of Robin Hood is documented. He lived in Wakefield, Yorkshire, in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.

The documents record that the legendary robber was born in 1290 and was named Robert Hood. In the old registers, three spellings of the surname are given: God, Goad and Good. But no one disputes the origin of Robin: he was a servant of the Earl of Warren.

How did the peasant son get on the path of robbers?

1322 - Robin passed into the service of a new master, Sir Thomas, Earl of Lancaster. When the earl led a rebellion against King Edward II, Robin, like the other servants of the earl, had no choice but to obey his master and take up arms. However, the uprising was crushed, Lancaster was captured and beheaded for treason. His possessions were confiscated by the king, and the count's people who took part in the rebellion were outlawed.

Robin has found the perfect hideout in the wilderness of Sherwood Forest, in Yorkshire.

Sherwood Forest covered an area of ​​25 square miles and adjoined Yorkshire. Through the Sherwood and Barnsdale woodlands, the Great North Road, laid out by the Romans, passed through, on which there was heavy traffic. This attracted the attention of outcast robbers.

So there was a legend about Robin Hood, a man in green clothes, the color of the forest.

New stories

The legends about Robin abound with many funny stories about his daring adventures and antics. One of them tells how the swaggering and narrow-minded Bishop of Hertsford, on his way to York, met with Robin and his people, who were roasting venison, obtained in the royal hunting forests.

Mistaking Robin's men for simple peasants, the bishop ordered those who killed the deer to be seized. The robbers calmly refused: the deer can no longer be resurrected, and everyone is terribly hungry. Then, at the sign of the bishop, those around the fire were surrounded by his servants. The robbers, laughing, began to beg for mercy, but the bishop was adamant. Robin eventually got fed up with the bickering. He gave a signal, and the rest of the gang arrived from the forest. The dumbfounded bishop was taken prisoner and demanded a ransom.

Wanting to teach his hapless hostage a lesson, Robin made him dance a jig around a huge oak tree. To this day, that place in the forest is called the "bishop's oak."

It is also said that one day Robin, accompanied by his best friend Little John, paid a visit to Whitby Priory. The abbot asked them to show their vaunted skill in archery. It was necessary to shoot from the monastery roof. Robin and Baby John gladly granted his request. They did not shame their glory.

Passed from mouth to mouth, one of the most beloved stories about how Robin met Edward II has been preserved in the people's memory. According to legend: the king, worried that his deer population was melting before his eyes, disappearing into the insatiable wombs of robbers, wanted to clear his forest of poachers once and for all.

The king and his knights, disguised as monks, went to Sherwood Forest, knowing that Robin Hood and a gang were waiting for unlucky travelers there. And they were not wrong. The robbers stopped them and demanded money.

The disguised king declared that he had only 40 pounds (a rather insignificant amount for that time). Robin took 20 pounds for his men and returned the rest to the king.

Then Edward told the leader that he was called to Nottingham to meet with the king. Robin and his men fell to their knees and swore their love and devotion to Edward, then invited the "monks" to dine with them - to taste the king's own venison!

In the end, Edward realized that Robin was simply mocking him. Then he revealed himself to the robbers and forgave them on the condition that they all come to the court for service as soon as he called them.

This story, of course, seems implausible, created by the imagination of fans of Robin Hood. But in the end, maybe not everything in it is fiction.

The fact is that this case is described in Robin Hood's Little Feat, published in 1459. It is known for certain that the king visited Nottingham in 1332. We also know that a few months after this, the name of Robin Hood is mentioned in reports of Edward's court.

However, he soon suddenly disappeared from the royal court, only to reappear in the forest and in popular rumor.

So, let's continue the story of the daring adventures of Robin Hood. He appeared at the church of St. Mary in Nottingham, where a monk recognized the robber and informed the sheriff. Robin was captured only after he single-handedly killed 12 soldiers with his sword. Even while in prison, the fearless leader had no doubt that faithful friends they won't leave him. Shortly before Robin was due to stand trial, Little John staged a daring attack and returned their leader to the bandit brethren. For complete justice, the robbers tracked down and killed the monk who betrayed Robin.

forest brotherhood

It is impossible to talk about Robin Hood without paying tribute to his cheerful gang and legendary girlfriend, Maid Marian.

Robin's closest assistant was Little John, presumably not a merry fellow at all, but a gloomy and very vulnerable guy. Most likely, he was called the Kid as a joke, since he was quite tall. This was discovered when, in 1784, his grave was opened at Hathersage and the bones of a rather tall man were found.

As for Brother Took, opinions differ about him. Some believe that this legendary character combines the features of two fat monks, others believe that there really was such a cheerful person who loved to have fun and dance in the company of forest brothers. Perhaps it was Robert Stafford, a priest from Sussex (early 15th century), who sometimes, under the pseudonym of Brother Took, participated in the adventures of a gay gang.

Maid Marian as a character also fits well with the theory that the image of Robin came from folk tales of traditional May festivities and games. Marian could simply be a girl chosen for her beauty as the "Queen of May".

The inconsistency of the image

The legendary adventures of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest supposedly ended in 1346. It is believed that he died in Kirkless Monastery after a serious illness. The abbess treated Robin with copious bloodletting, as a result of which, weakened and exsanguinated, he never recovered from his illness.

Such is the romantic image of Robin Hood, a daredevil and benefactor. But the Anglo-Saxons have a strange tendency to denigrate their idols, and Robin suffered more than others from this.

Graham Black, director of the Nottanham Tales of Robin Hood exhibition, said: "We have come close to knowing the true identity of Robin Hood."

According to Black, the real story of Robin dates back to 1261, when William, son of Robert Smith, was outlawed in Berkshire. The law clerk who wrote the decree named him William Robinhood.

Other court documents survive that mention people named Robinhood, most of whom are criminals. Therefore, researchers believe that if Robin Hood actually existed, then he most likely acted before that time.

The most likely candidate for this dubious role, according to Graham Black, is Robert Hod, an inhabitant of the Archbishopric of York, who escaped justice in 1225. Two years later he is mentioned in written documents as Hobhod.

Where does the romantic version of the legend come from?

According to some versions, Robin was a nobleman. But this is an obvious invention of the playwright, who in 1597 wanted to attract the nobility to his theater. Previously, Robin was considered a vassal of the lord.

The glory of Robin Hood as the greatest archer comes from wandering storytellers who passed from mouth to mouth ballads about the legendary robber, recorded in the second half of the 15th century.

As for the girl Marian, it is believed that she was a beauty guarded by the treacherous Prince John. She first met Robin when she was ambushed by his men. However, scholars do not agree with this version, claiming that Marian appeared in a French poem of the 13th century as a shepherdess with her shepherd Robin. Only 200 years after the appearance of this poem, she finally entered the legend of Robin Hood. And the reputation of the immaculate virgin Marian gained much later under the influence of chaste Victorian morality.

According to legend, Brother Tuk was a merry glutton who amused the robbers with his funny tricks and jokes. The monk was unsurpassed in stick fights. In fact, it turns out that Brother Tuk also existed. This name was given to the priest of Lindfield parish from Sussex, in fact a murderer and robber, when in 1417 a royal decree was issued for his arrest, the priest went on the run.

James Holt, Professor of Medieval History University of Cambridge and the author of a book on Robin Hood, wrote: “Written records indicate that Brother Took organized his gang of robbers two hundred miles from Sherwood Forest, and centuries after Robin Hood. In fact, Brother Tuk was quite far from harmless gaiety, for he ruined and burned the hearths of his enemies.

baby john, right hand Robin, was capable of brutal murders. It was he who killed the monk, suspected of betraying Robin, then beheaded the young servant of the monk, a witness to the murder.

But Little John did a lot of brave things. One of them, which has already been mentioned, is the rescue of Robin Hood from a well-fortified prison guarded by the guards of the notorious Sheriff of Nottingham.

Regarding Robin Hood, Professor Holt wrote: “He was absolutely not the way he is described. He wore a cap like a monastic hood. There is absolutely no evidence that he robbed the rich to give money to the poor. The legend acquired these fabrications 200 or more years after his death. And during his lifetime he was known as a notorious marauder.

And yet, following the legends of hoary antiquity, we prefer to see in Robin Hood the protector of the oppressed and disenfranchised, the brave and cheerful chieftain, now and then wiping the nose of those in power.

And we want to believe that, ending a life path full of various feats, our hero is on the verge of death from last strength blew a horn, as if sending a message about himself to the future, and we still hear the echoes of this signal in our hearts.

Briefly about the article: It is probably not easy to find a person who has never heard of Robin Hood, the legendary noble robber who robbed the greedy rich and distributed money to the poor. His name has long become a household name, they composed songs about him, wrote books, made films. In his image and likeness, the characters of numerous fantasy heroes are constructed, possessing a bow, a quiver, a brave heart and a good soul.

Arrows of Robin Hood

"Noble robber": reality or myth?

It's about a brave guy.

His name was Robin Hood.

No wonder the memory of a daredevil

The people are protected.

"Ballads of Robin Hood" (Translated by I. Ivanovsky)

It is probably not easy to find a person who has never heard of Robin Hood, the legendary noble robber who robbed the greedy rich and distributed money to the poor. His name has long become a household name, they composed songs about him, wrote books, made films. In his image and likeness, the characters of numerous fantasy heroes are constructed, possessing a bow, a quiver, a brave heart and a good soul.

But who is this hero? And did he really exist?

I. Legend: Nice Guy Robin Hood

The story of Robin Hood has come down to us in the form of medieval folk ballads, and his image was not tied to any particular era. Sometimes he is called a contemporary of Richard the Lionheart (1189-1199), sometimes - Kings Edward II or Edward III (1307-1377).

Not far from the city of Nottingham, there is a huge Sherwood Forest, through which the Great North Road, laid by the Romans, passes - one of the main transport arteries of Northern England. It was Sherwood that became the main home of the valiant Robin Hood and his gang.

"A nice guy walks through the forest country - Robin Hood!"

The origin of Robin is unclear - he is considered the adopted son of a miller, or a villan (dependent peasant), or a yeoman (free farmer). When the enemies burned down his house, an excellent archer Robin gathered a "brigade" and went to the robbers.

What kind of enemies ravaged the village of Robin? Some researchers believe that the memory of the conquest of England by the Normans in the 11th century was reflected in the ballads. The conquerors brutally oppressed the local population - the Anglo-Saxons, treating them with frank contempt. Suffice it to say that for more than a century, none of the English kings of the Norman and Angevin dynasties knew a word from the language of the people they ruled (the first was Richard the Lionheart).

It happened that the Anglo-Saxons, who did not want to submit to the conquerors, went into the forests and created something like partisan detachments - perhaps Robin Hood was the leader of just such a squad.

"In the past, servants and serfs, now - free shooters"

Under the command of the dashing ataman there was a whole hundred of young men dressed in green cloaks. The detachment included quite colorful figures. For example, Robin's deputy, a hefty thug Baby John (well, these guys had a poor sense of humor!), Whom the ataman defeated in the famous stick fight at the river ford. Or fat monk Tuk, not a fool to drink, eat and fight. There were also Will Stutley-Scarlett, the minstrel Alan-o-Dale and other very curious characters.

Well done Robin lived in Sherwood not only by robbery, but also by hunting, which in itself was a criminal act. The fact is that according to the law, forest game, especially deer, belonged to the king, and specially appointed foresters guarded the game from the encroachments of the "arrogant mob". The poacher was punished depending on the category of game - for every little thing they could cut off his hand, for a deer - hang. It is not for nothing that in many ballads it is the royal foresters who act as opponents of Robin Hood.

But Robin's main enemy is the Sheriff of Nottingham. A sheriff in medieval England is akin to a governor. This official, personally appointed by the king, exercised all administrative, police, judicial and military power in the county. He also collected taxes, which opened wide scope for abuse. Sometimes people sent from the "center" became sheriffs, sometimes - local feudal lords (as a rule, not too big and noble). In general, the sheriff of the county is a natural opponent for both peasants and aristocracy. But "good Robin" mocked the hated sheriff full program.

So, once the sheriff ordered the three sons of an old widow to be hanged because they shot a deer in the royal forest. Robin Hood disguised himself as a beggar and hurried to Nottingham. When the poor poachers were about to be pulled up, Robin, who obviously had a weakness for theatrical effects, blew his horn - his guys immediately rushed out of the forest and recaptured the condemned.

In the ballad "Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow," the sheriff complains to the king that he cannot catch the damned robber. The king advises to resort to cunning, and the sheriff, having played with his chicken brains, announces an archery contest, the winner of which will get an arrow of pure gold. The robbers, having bought into this simple bait, go together to Nottingham, however, on the advice of Little John, they change their green cloaks to colorful ones. Naturally, the sheriff does not recognize them (the poor fellow probably suffered from night blindness ...). In the end, Robin Hood won the contest, received the golden arrow, and returned safely to the forest.

"I love you," exclaimed Robin Hood,

Tough things!

That's just bad that sheriff

Doesn't know where the arrow is."

And, having written a message telling the sheriff who won the prize, he shoots an arrow with a letter right into the officer's window.

The sheriff was in a terrible rage

From a cheeky letter

And then he wondered

That didn't go crazy.

With great gusto, the ballads narrate how Robin shakes out the purse of fat abbots and monks (considering that the church was then the largest landowner and tore three skins from the peasants, such popular love for the "Christ's bride" is easy to explain).

For example, one ballad explains why the huge oak in Sherwood is called Bishop's. One day, a certain bishop came across Robin and his friends in the woods, who were roasting venison. Through thoughtlessness, the prelate mistook them for ordinary serfs and ordered his guards to seize the poachers. The robbers began to pretend to beg for mercy, but the bishop was inexorable. Finally, Robin got tired of the game, he gave a signal, and the rest of the gang arrived from the forest. The bishop was taken hostage and demanded a large ransom, and the fun-loving Robin Hood made the bishop dance a jig around a large oak tree.

Literature could not pass by such fertile material. The legends of Robin Hood were collected and published as early as 1485.

In the future, the personality of the noble robber was addressed famous writers like Walter Scott and Alexandre Dumas. Howard Pyle's collection The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood is considered canonical, first published in 1883. Pyle collected and literary processed all the classic ballads and legends about Robin and his fellows (though, yielding to the requirements of Victorian morality, he threw out any mention of maiden Marion). Pyle envisioned Sherwood Forest as a charmingly utopian world where it's always summer, the fun is overflowing, and dashing brawls are replaced by no less cool parties, on which good old ale flows like a river. Despite the rather archaic language, Howard Pyle's book is still considered the main English-language work of fiction about Robin Hood, on which almost all contemporary writers and filmmakers.

A modernized version of Pyle's stories was presented by Roger Lancelyn Green, a famous popularizer of old legends, in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1956). Green, leaving all the main storylines and Pyle's characters, introduced into the book the line of Robin's lover, the brave Marion (well, times have changed a lot in a century).

In general, there are countless historical adventure, love or children's novels about Robin. Moreover, stories about him are twisted this way and that.

So, for example, Michael Cadnam in "Forbidden Forest" (2002) made Little John the main character, and in "In a Dark Wood" (1997) he generally showed events from the point of view of Geoffrey, Sheriff of Nottingham. Gary Blackwood in "The Lion and the Unicorn" tells about Alan-o-Dale, who beat off poor Robin's girlfriend. Teresa Tomlinson in the trilogy "The Forestwife" tells a feminist story about Lady Marion, without beneficial influence which Robin and his lads would have remained uncouth gangsters. famous master fantasy Jennifer Roberson wrote a romantic dilogy about the love and adventures of two noble hearts - Sir Robert Loxley and Lady Marianne: "Lady of the Forest" (1992) and "Lady of Sherwood" (1999). Another "star" of fantasy Park Godwin in the dilogy "Sherwood" transfers the confrontation between Robin and the sheriff during the time of William the Red, the second of the Norman kings. Nancy Springer baby cycle"Rowan Good" tells the story of the young daughter of a robber.

Jane Yolen's collection "Sherwood" includes 9 stories - from Yolen's own story about the magical circumstances of Robin's birth to Adam Stempl's story, in which the spirit of Robin Hood takes possession of a computer and redistributes the world's wealth via the Internet.

13 stories "The Fantastic Adventures of Robin Hood", compiled by Martin Greenberg, are written in the fantasy genre. You can also recall some works where Robin Hood is an episodic, but very entertaining character: "Silver Whirl" by John Myers Myers, "The Last Unicorn" by Peter Beagle or "Sword and Rainbow" by Elena Khaetskaya.

"Here the one who loses everything will be protected and saved"

Although the nobility got a lot from Robin, sometimes the robber also helped the nobles who were in trouble.

So, one knight had to mortgage his estate to the local abbot. When the time came to pay the debt, the knight went to the abbey to ask for a reprieve. While driving through Sherwood, he collided with Robin Hood. Seeing that the knight has nothing and listening to him sad story, Robin gave him money to redeem the land, and the rest of the free shooters showered the noble hick with gifts.

On another occasion, Robin helped a poor squire whose young bride they wanted to pass off as an old and rich lord.

One of the ballads tells about the marriage of Robin Hood himself. He fell in love with the noble girl Marion and, posing as an earl, achieved her location. Then he returned to Sherwood, and the saddened Marion, dressed in a man's dress, went to look for him. They met on a forest road, but Robin mistook the girl for a rich traveler and decided to rob. Marion also did not recognize her betrothed in the robber and a fight broke out between them (just some kind of Indian movie!). The lively girl defended herself so famously that the admiring Robin Hood offered her to make peace and be good comrades. Soon the misunderstanding was cleared up, and Robin and Marion lived happily in the green forest.

There is a legend about the meeting of the great robber with the king. True, it is not clear which of the kings is meant. It is sometimes stated that the Free Riflemen met with Richard the Lionheart, who was returning incognito from crusade(Has everyone read the novel "Ivanhoe"?). Some are of the opinion that the king whom Robin met was Edward II, disguised as a monk and personally coming to Sherwood to look at the reason for the sharply reduced amount of game in the royal lands. And although the king had a hard time from the shooters who love a simple joke, he, fascinated by Robin, forgives the forest "brotherhood" all sins and even accepts them into his service.

Death of Robin Hood

Every adventure comes to an end. Once Robin Hood felt that his hands were weakened and the arrows were flying past the target. He decides that he is ill, and goes to the Kirklei Monastery, whose inhabitants were famous for the art of "opening blood", which in the Middle Ages was considered the best remedy from all diseases.

The nuns, either by oversight or by malicious intent, released so much blood from Robin's veins that he was near death. With the last of his strength, Robin blew his horn, and Little John rushed to the call. With the help of his lieutenant, Robin returns to the forest, says goodbye to his comrades, draws his faithful bow for the last time and shoots an arrow, bequeathing to bury himself where it falls. Thus ended the life of Robin Hood.

II. Story: "The truth is out there"?

The name of Robin Hood has already become a household name in the Middle Ages. Thus, the Parliamentary Report for 1437 contains a petition for the arrest of a certain Piers Vanables of Derbyshire, who is engaged in robbery, hiding in the forest, "like Robin Hood and his gang." But the debate about the true identity of Robin has not subsided so far, because in stories about him it is extremely difficult to separate truth from fiction.

"The firemen are looking for, the police are looking for..."

The director of the museum in Nottingham, Graham Black, believes that the written history of Robin Hood began in 1261, when William, son of Robert Smith, was outlawed in Berkshire, and the clerk who wrote the decree named him William Robinhood. Therefore, if Robin Hood really existed, then he most likely acted before that time. The most likely candidate for this role, according to G. Black, is Robert Goad, a resident of York, who was a fugitive from justice in 1225-1227.

There is a mention of Robin Hood (Robyne Hude) and Little John (litill Iohne) in the "Scottish Chronicles" by Andrew de Winton in 1420. The historian relates their deeds to 1283-1285. Another chronicler, John Major, who published the "History of Great Britain" in 1521, tied the activities of Robin Hood to 1193-1194.

In the 16th century, the historian John Stowe also wrote about Robin Hood as a robber during the reign of Richard I. He allegedly led a gang that included a hundred brave outcasts. Although they traded in robbery, yet Robin Hood "did not allow harassment or other violence against women. He did not touch the poor, giving them everything that he took away from the saints and noblemen".

A modern scientist, a professor at Cambridge University, James Holt, writes about Robin like this: “He was completely different from what he is described ... There is absolutely no evidence that he robbed the rich in order to give money to the poor. These fabrications have grown into a legend after two hundred or more years after his death, and during his lifetime he was known as a notorious scoundrel."

As for the maiden Marion, it was originally believed that she was a certain Marianne Fitz-Walter, a wealthy orphan. She supposedly first met Robin when she was ambushed by his gang. But most scholars believe that Marion fell into the legends of the robber ... from the 14th century French pastoral poem about the shepherdess Marianne and the shepherd Robin. And the reputation of the immaculate virgin Marion earned much later under the influence of chaste English morality.

In 1784, the alleged grave of Little John was opened at Hathersage, where bones of a very tall man. It is stated that the real John was supposedly a brutal killer. It was he who once killed the monk who betrayed Robin, at the same time slaughtering the young novice, an accidental witness to the atrocity. But John did a lot of brave things, like rescuing Robin Hood from a well-fortified prison in Nottingham.

Regarding the personality of the merry monk Tuk, the opinions of scientists again sharply diverge. Some say that this image combines two people, others are sure of the reality of a cheerful reveler. It is believed that Robert Stafford, a priest of the Lindfield parish in Sussex, who lived in the 15th century and was suspected of robberies and murders, was his prototype. When the order for his arrest was issued, he fled and, under the name of Took, organized a gang operating two hundred miles from Sherwood. Professor Holt claims that the real Brother Took, a notorious thug, was far from harmless gaiety.

"Gay boy, gay boy..."

However, there are worse versions. Not so long ago, Professor English Literature Cardiff University's Stephen Knight discovered that Robin Hood was actually... gay. According to Knight, the few surviving manuscripts from the 14th century provide direct evidence of Robin's real tastes.

After all, no maiden Marion, the beloved hero, existed, but quite often Little John and Will Scarlett, too "close" friends of the noble robber, are mentioned. In those days, gays were persecuted, so the authors of the manuscripts, they say, could not lay it all out.

Nevertheless, according to Knight, the references to the "green forest", "arrows and swords", symbolizing puberty, clearly allude to the essence laid between the lines of the ballads. As for the tales of the "exploits" of Robin Hood, then all this is an invention of the authors of the 16th century, who worked for the needs of the heterosexual public, the professor claims. And Robin Hood gained fame not by waving a stupid sword, but by neglecting conventions, for which he was outlawed by the church and the authorities.

Well, who has what hurts ... It remains to wait for the next study to appear, which will state that Robin Hood is a one-legged black woman who suffered from Parkinson's disease and fought in Sherwood Forest for equal rights for sexual minorities. Indeed, in our politically correct age, idiocy has long been a sign of good taste.

"Mask, I Know You"

Like many heroes of folk tales, Robin Hood has not only historical, but also mythological roots. Sometimes the nickname of the robber is associated with the character of British folklore Robin Goodfellow (i.e. Robin Good fellow). That was the name of the mischievous forest spirit, the leader of either elves or leprechauns, who wore green clothes.

In England, for a long time there was a May holiday dedicated to Robin Hood, when the peasants went to the forest to collect fresh green branches. This custom testifies that in the popular mind Robin Hood united with the pagan forest deity.

In addition, Hood means "hood" in English, and Robin was often said to have worn a large monk's hood. Maybe, famous hero- a collective image? And the hood is a kind of symbol of depersonalization, because anyone can hide under it just like Zorro under a mask.

III. Versions: "Gulchatay, open your face"

There are so many versions about the origin of Robin Hood that from them head goes around. Let's try to evaluate the main ones.

Version one. Loxley - villain or bastard?

Loxley's name often appears in the Robin Hood legends. Some researchers claim that he was the villain of the Earl of Warren. Others believe that Robin is the illegitimate son of a certain knight, the owner of the village of Loxley, given to the miller's family for education.

But what village are we talking about? There are three of them in England - Loxley in Warwickshire and Yorkshire, as well as Locksley near Sheffield. And all three claim to be the "birthplace of Robin Hood"! The main thing - there is no confirmation historical existence of Robin of Loxley. All written references to him refer to late medieval and are borrowed from ballads and legends.

Version two. Is Robert Goad the victim of a political misunderstanding?

The Edward II version of Robin Hode, whose story is told in the poem "A Gest of Robyn Hode" (published circa 1510), has quite a few supporters.

A certain Robert Goad, also known as Hood or Hod, was born about 1290. Robert Hod and his wife Matilda are mentioned in the court records of Wakefield (Yorkshire) for 1316 and 1317. In 1322, Robert became the servant of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, who soon rebelled against the king. The uprising was crushed, Lancaster was executed, his possessions were confiscated, and all participants in the rebellion were outlawed. And Robin allegedly took refuge in the dense Sherwood Forest.

Interestingly, there is a document that says that a man named Robert Goad from March 24 to November 22, 1324, served as a valet or doorman at the court of Edward II. The fact is that the king visited Nottingham in 1323, where the repentant Robin could well, having received an amnesty, enter the royal service (it is not for nothing that legends are so persistently broadcasting about this). It is believed that this Robin fell seriously ill and died in the Kirkley monastery around 1346.

All this, of course, is good, but ... There is no evidence contemporary to Robert Goud, the servant of the Earl of Lancaster, which would connect him and the famous robber Robin Hood. For the first time they were united only after a century and a half.

Version three. Robert Goad - bandit and robber?

There is a court document in the London Public Archives dated 1226. It says that a man named Robert Hod of Weatherby fled from the king's justice. The document also states that the Sheriff of York took possession of the fugitive's movable property worth 32 shillings 6d, but the money never made it to the treasury. A little later, the sheriff of York took the same position in Nottingham and in 1227 put Robert of Witherby on the wanted list, calling him "a criminal and villain of our land." As a result, Robert Goad was captured and hanged.

Who was Robert of Witherby? Robbed by a greedy poor sheriff who was forced to become a bandit in order not to die of hunger? Or a vile robber and murderer? Although little is known about this Robin, he seemed to be the most serious contender for the role of Robin Hood, but ... There is another character whose existence upsets all calculations.

Kevin Reynolds' 90s blockbuster "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves" is actually a remake of Curtitz's film. Yes, and the popular comedy Mel Brooks "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" parodies primarily the tape with Flynn. In total, more than 20 films were shot, including the Disney animation of 1973, and soviet film"Arrows of Robin Hood" with an excellent soundtrack by Vladimir Vysotsky.

Version four. Robert Huntington - a dissolute lord or a rebel?

Most serious modern researchers believe that the man who can be called Robin Hood with a significant degree of probability lived during the time of Richard I, John I and Henry III ( end XII- middle of the 13th century). He long time was outlawed and became so famous that his name became a household name and was used in relation to other famous robbers, whose deeds were then summed up.

Robin Hood's grave?

In all legends, the death of Robin Hood is associated with a specific place - Kirklees Priory in Yorkshire. The most interesting thing is that Robin's grave has survived to this day...

In the monastery cemetery there is a gravestone with a half-erased epitaph in Old English. The first drawing of the grave was made in 1665 and published in 1786, with the date of death recorded between 1224-1247.

Since the full text of the epitaph has not survived to this day, one has to be content with the decoding made by the Dean of York, Thomas Gale, around 1702: “Here, under this small stone, lies Robert, the true Earl of Huntington. There was no archer more skillful than him. And people called him Robin Hood For thirty years, and even more, he fought with criminals in northern lands, although he himself, along with his people, was outside the law. England will never see another like him."

So, has the mystery of Robin Hood been revealed? Not everything is so simple, because the inscription can be interpreted in two ways. Was the late Robin Hood himself or was he simply compared to the famous robber?

The "Huntington" version has many opponents, but none of them deny the authenticity of the stone and the inscription on it. They dispute either the interpretation of the epitaph, or its adequacy to real events. Be that as it may, the epitaph on the Kirkley tombstone - the only real evidence from time immemorial, directly identifying completely specific person with the legendary folk hero. On the side of the rest of the "applicants" - only guesses and circumstantial evidence, often frankly far-fetched.

But who is this "true Earl of Huntington"?

royal kinsmen

Let's make a reservation right away - the modern Earls of Huntington have nothing to do with Robin Hood, although they claim some kind of relationship. The fact is that titles changed hands so often that there were practically no blood descendants of the so-called historical nobility in England. In general, there were several Huntingtons among aristocratic families - from Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Cambridgeshire and Worcestershire. "Our" Huntingtons are most likely Yorkshire.

Their ancestor was the Norman Gilbert de Gaunt, who arrived in England with William the Conqueror and later received the title of Earl of Lindsay. His great granddaughter Adeline married Henry Canmore, Earl of Northumberland and Huntington, grandson of King David I of Scotland. Their fifth child, David, Earl of Lennox, became the second Earl of Huntington, marking the beginning of the "Scottish" branch of this family. He married Matilda, the daughter of one of the largest Welsh feudal lords, the Earl of Chester. And this noble couple had seven children, the eldest of whom was named Robert ...

"His Name Was Robert"

There is very little reliable information about his life. Full name - Robert Fitz-Uth (Robert Fitzooth / Filii Ooth, which could transform into "Robin Hood"), was born no earlier than 1180 and no later than 1207. Although he was the eldest son, after the death of his father in 1219, he became the next count younger brother John. This fact, according to the supporters of the "Huntington" version, is an indirect proof of their correctness. Indeed, in order to deprive the rightful heir of the rights to the title, very good reasons were needed - the simple desire of the family was not enough, a special decree of the king was required. Maybe the reason is that Robert became the chieftain of the robbers?

Curiously, in a number folk legends it is alleged that Robin Hood for some merit received from the king the title of 1st Earl of Huntington. And although this is not true, the appearance of such rumors certainly had some basis.

The "Scottish" branch of the Yorkshire Huntingtons died out at the end of the 13th century. And the basic information about Robert is taken from the Scottish royal archive, because the Huntingtons are closely related to the Scots. For example, Robert's younger sisters married prominent members of the Scottish aristocracy: Margaret married John Balliol, and Isabella married Robert the Bruce. About a century passed, and the descendants of both sisters took royal throne. Is Scotland's national hero Robert the Bruce a distant relative of Robin Hood?

Where did Loxley, for example, come from? It may very well be that the bards who composed ballads about the "good Robin" adjusted to the tastes of their main audience - ordinary people who were more interested in listening to stories about the exploits of a hero "socially close" to them than some kind of count's son.

Hero for all time

In 1988, the authorities of Nottingham decided to conduct their own study of the personality of the great countryman. A number of scientists involved in this project came to the conclusion that the brave hero was nowhere near as romantic as in the legends. That no maiden Marion existed. That Friar Took, Will Scarlett, and Alan-o-Dale were fictitious individuals, and Little John was an evil degenerate and bloody murderer.

Well, maybe it is so ... But many peoples have heroes whom those in power declared criminals - Klaus Stertebeker, Fra Diavolo, Kartush, Janoshik, Stepan Razin ... And although in reality they were thugs, swindlers, adventurers , people composed legends about them, sang songs, wrote books. And their memory lives on to this day.

The name of the desperate guy from "good old England" Robin Hood is in our hearts. And it doesn't matter who he really was and whether he was at all - for us he is one of the "eternal" heroes of mankind, the protector of the oppressed and disenfranchised, the brave leader of the cheerful daredevils who do not give way to the powerful of this world.

All who are driven, restless,

They run into this free forest,

Because the owner is here -

Good boy Robin Hood!

(V. Vysotsky)

Rescuing Lady Marion Liford from him, Robin gathers a gang of outcasts - former soldier Will Scarlett, the healthy shepherd Little John, the cheerful monk Took, the simple-hearted son of the miller Much, and the former servant of Balem, the Saracen Nazir. Thus begins the adventures of the "Magnificent Seven" from Sherwood Forest. In two dozen episodes, they will face numerous battles for justice under the auspices of the pagan forest spirit Ern.

Their constant opponents are the greedy Sheriff of Nottingham Robert de Reno and his right hand, the cruel Sir Guy of Gisburne. The series is a curious mixture of pseudo-realistic details of the life of 13th century England and various magic. This "hodgepodge" is accompanied by a bewitching, stylized medieval music Irish group clanned. At the end of the second block, Robin Hood dies saving his friends from the sheriff's soldiers.

In the third block, Ern again calls on a person who must resist Evil. It turns out to be the Earl's son Robert Huntington (Jason Connery). True, in this part of the series, magic is episodic, and the plot loses its mystical halo, becoming purely adventure and acquiring the features of a "soap opera" (for example, the new Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne turn out to be half-brothers!).

Robin Hood owes his name not at all English word"good", that is, "good", as Russian readers usually think. The most common opinion is that he got his nickname from "hood", that is, a hood or other headdress. Robin Hood - Hooded Robin.

Character of English folklore, a skilled archer and warrior from Sherwood Forest (Sherwood Forest), who robs the rich and distributes his booty to the poor. Curiously, this trait was not part of the original ballad character and only appeared in the 19th century. It is not known whether the legend of the noble robber had a real prototype or only medieval ballads and legends served as the basis for it, but over the past centuries Robin Hood has become one of the most popular elements. English culture, and the story about him feels great in the age of film and television.

Robin Hood owes his name not to the English word "good", that is, "good", as Russian readers usually think. The most common opinion is that he got his nickname from "hood", that is, a hood or other headdress. Robin Hood - Hooded Robin. Attempts to connect this name with a really existing person have led nowhere, in particular because Robert (Robert) has been one of the most popular names in England over the past ten centuries, and Robin is perhaps the most popular diminutive version of it. . It is not surprising that there were many people named Robert or Robin Hood in medieval records, and some of them were indeed criminals - but not so famous and significant as to contribute to the birth of a legend.

Robin Hood is accompanied by a detachment of faithful companions, all together they live in Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire (Nottinghamshire), where the action of the first ballads about Robin and modern films and television films mainly takes place. In the earliest sources, he was a yeoman who had gone into the woods, a free peasant, but later he was often portrayed as an exiled aristocrat, unjustly deprived of his possessions due to the machinations of an unscrupulous sheriff. The wood archer is often referred to as Robin of Loxley - believed to have been born in this village near Sheffield - but this version dates from the late 16th century, while there are earlier versions of his birthplace, such as the village of Skelow in South Yorkshire (Skellow, South Yorkshire), which has been associated with the name of Robin Hood since 1422.

The first reference to poems about Robin Hood dates back to the end of the 14th century, but the ballads themselves were recorded only in the 15th and 16th centuries, and already in them Robin Hood has all his main features - he comes from commoners, worships the Virgin, enjoys increased attention in women, he is a skilled archer, hates churchmen and feuds with the Sheriff of Nottingham. Little John (Little John), Will Scarlet (Will Scarlet) and Much the Miller's Son have already appeared in Robin's squad, but there is still no mention of the Maid Marian (Maid Marian) and the cheerful monk brother Tuka (Friar Tuck) - they will appear a little later. In popular culture, Robin Hood is considered a contemporary and supporter of King Richard the Lionheart (Richard the Lionheart), that is, he lives in England (England) of the 12th century.

It is interesting that the first ballads give readers a few details to determine the time of the action, such as King Edward, for example, but the ballads, of course, cannot be considered reliable in such matters. historical source. Moreover, there were several kings with that name - King Edward I came to the throne in 1272, and Edward III died in 1377. From the 16th century, Robin Hood "becomes" a nobleman, usually considered the Earl of Huntingdon (Earl of Huntingdon), and this version is still very popular.

In any case, Robin Hood is a model for any noble robber. He collects tribute from rich merchants, knights or high-ranking churchmen who were not lucky enough to meet him in Sherwood Forest, offering them to dine on succulent venison, obtained, of course, by poaching. True, the payment for such a dinner is usually the purse of the "guest". There are exceptions to the rule - in one of the ballads, Robin Hood invites a knight to dinner, intending to rob him to the skin, but after learning that the knight is about to lose his land, which the greedy abbot has his eye on, he gives him enough money to pay debt to the abbot.

Robin Hood is young, tall, handsome and very clever, despite his simple origin. He and his men are usually dressed in green, which helps them to hide in dense forest thickets. He has a sharp tongue, loves to joke, and can be short-tempered and quick to kill. It is very interesting that in the ballads Robin keeps his people in strict obedience, and, recognizing his supremacy, they kneel before him as before their lord - in medieval legends there is not even a hint of contemporary ideals equality and brotherhood. Historians argue that the legend of Robin Hood was cultivated mainly among the gentry, the petty nobility, and it would be a mistake to see in him the embodiment peasant uprising. He does not so much rebel against the social standards of the Middle Ages as he embodies them - generous, moderately pious and courtly, despising greedy, pampered and impolite enemies. Although there are more than a hundred people in his detachment of "merry men" ("Merry Men"), only four or five of them are regularly described in ballads, the most closest friends and associates of Robin.

At the latest by the beginning of the 15th century, Robin Hood became associated with the May holidays, and around the same time, Robin Hood's romantic attachment to the maiden Marian (or Marion), who eventually becomes his life mate, appeared in the sources. Marian is also portrayed as a commoner and heiress of a noble family, and in modern culture it is believed that, in the end, Robin and Marian marry and leave the forest, returning to a rich and civilized life.

The Victorian era created its own Robin Hood - it was during this period that he became a philanthropist who robbed the rich to give to the poor - and the 20th century brought its own changes: from book to book, from film to film, Robin Hood turned from a cheerful robber to national hero of epic proportions, who not only cares for the weak, but also bravely defends the English throne from unworthy and corrupt lords.

Many poems, stories and ballads have been written about the noble robber Robin Hood. But was he a real person, or just beautiful legend? There have been historical disputes about this for a long time.

Who was the inspiration for Robin Hood?

Probably the most early source, telling about the deeds of this hero, is the "Ballad of Robin Hood", written at the end of the XIV century. A proud, fearless robber from Sherwood Forest robs the rich, helps the poor, punishes the evil and greedy...
Later, the name of Robin Hood begins to appear in other sources. For example, in The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, there is mention of "a thicket of hazel where the merry Robin walked."
Modern researchers believe that several historical figures could be the prototypes of Robin Hood at once.
So, in the census registers for 1228 and 1230, the name of Robert Hood, nicknamed Brownie, is found. According to sources, he came into conflict with the law. In addition, the emergence of an insurrectionary movement led by Sir Robert Twing dates back to approximately the same time. It is known that the rebels plundered the monasteries, took away grain supplies from there and distributed them to the poor.
Another candidate for the role of Robin Hood is Robert Fitzut. The legend says that Fitzut was born into an aristocratic family, lived from about 1160 to 1247 and staged rebellions in order to win the title of Earl of Huntington supposedly due to him. In any case, the dates of Fitzut's life coincide with the dates of the life of Robin Hood, as they are indicated in some sources. However, in official archives no mention of Robert Fitzut found. Robin Hood, however skeptics point out that contemporary records do not mention a rebellious noble named Robin Fitzut.

Who was the king of Robin Hood?

In addition to issues related to the time of origin of the stories about Robin Hood, various sources tell us about different kings. The first historian, Walter Bower, confidently placed Robin Hood in the 1265 rebellion against King Henry III, led by Simon de Montfort, the king's son-in-law. After his defeat at the Battle of Evesham, most of the rebels remained in the army and led a life similar to that described in the ballads of Robin Hood. “At that time,” wrote Walter Bower, “the famous robber Robin Hood stepped out among those who were disinherited and expelled for participating in the uprising. These people sang their feats in romances, performances and passages. The main catch in Bower's reasoning is the presence of the bow, which is so common in the ballads about Robin Hood. It had not yet been invented at the time of the rebellion of Simon de Montfort.
A document dated 1322 speaks of a "Robin Hood stone" in Yorkshire. It is assumed that ballads - not human - were already well known by this time. Those who would place the real Robin Hood in this time period suggest that Robin Hood, the owner of Wakefield who took part in the rebellion of the Earl of Lancaster, was the prototype of the rebel hero. The following year, they point out, King Edward II visited Nottingham and took a certain Robin Hood into his service as court valet. He was paid his salary for the next 12 months or until he was fired "because he could no longer work." This evidence is beautifully presented in the third story of Robin Hood's Little Gesture.
The mention of King Edward II places the robber hero in the first quarter of the 14th century. But according to other versions, Robin Hood appears as a supporter of King Richard the Lionheart, who ruled in last decade 12th century, and an opponent of his brother Richard and his successor John Landless - as he was named for the territories lost in France.

Fictional stories.

What is most obvious about Robin Hood is the development of his legend. In the early ballads, there is no mention of Marian, the hero's girlfriend. It first appears at the end of the 15th century, when folk songs and dancing becomes popular during the May holidays. Huge baby John is with Robin Hood at the very beginning, but Father Took appears in the last ballad when he plunges Robin into the raging current. The real Robin Hood is a simple yeoman, later he turns into a rebellious nobleman.
There are so many controversial additions to the Robin Hood legend that it's unlikely that one will ever be found. real hero. Most scholars now agree that he represents a type - the rogue hero - that has been described in ballads passed down from generation to generation since the 1300s. Storytellers weave a variety of conflicting stories and real people into their stories and turn it all into a story about a person who may never have existed. As one professor wrote: “Robin Hood is the product of a muse,” the invention of unknown poets who wanted to glorify the common man who sought justice against the pressure of nobility and wealth. This is what glorified him and made him the hero of ballads:
He was a good robber
And did a lot of good to the poor
And for this the Lord spared his soul.

There is also a version that Robin Hood was one of the warriors of King Richard the Lionheart. He ruled England in the last decade of the twelfth century. However, the mentioned monarch almost never visited his state, spending time in foreign military campaigns. And the adventures of Robin Hood unfold in England.
A certain tenant from Wakefield, who in 1322 took part in the uprising of the Earl of Lancaster, could also become the prototype of Robin Hood. This version is supported by documentary evidence that in 1323 the English King Edward II, having visited Nottingham, accepted a man named Robert Hood as his valet. Similar facts are given in The Ballad of Robin Hood.
Historians believe that if Robin Hood really existed, then he performed his exploits in the first quarter of the 14th century. This just coincided with the era of the reign of Edward II.

hooded man

Most researchers still tend to believe that Good is a nickname, not a surname. Hood (Hood) translated from English means "hood". This traditional element clothes of all medieval robbers. By the way, this word could mean several hats at once: a hood, a cap, a cap, a hood, a helmet - the main thing is that it protects the entire head ... And the term also has a figurative meaning: “to hide”. Hence the expression "hoodlum" - "thug", "hooligan" (after all, honest people do not need to cover their faces and heads if they are not warriors). Thus, Robin Hood was understood as a secretive person with hooligan manners...
So, most likely, the image of Robin Hood is collective. Oppressed by the authorities and the rich, the poor dreamed of folk hero who would fight for justice, defending the rights of the most disadvantaged.

Robber's grave

Oddly enough, at mythical character has its own grave, next to which there is even a monument to Robin Hood. It is located near Kirkless Abbey in West Yorkshire.
According to legend, the sick Robin Hood came to the abbess of the monastery, having heard that she was very knowledgeable in the medical craft. But she turned out to be loyal to the authorities persecuting the robber and decided, on the contrary, to hasten his death. The woman went to the trick: she made Robin lose too much blood, and so that the patient did not notice this, she passed the blood through a jug with a hole.
Realizing that the end was near, Robin Hood bequeathed to bury himself where the arrow he fired would fall. The arrow fell about 650 meters from the monastery gatehouse, where, according to legend, the robber was overtaken by death. There they set up a memorial.
Meanwhile, researcher Richard Rutherford-Moore doubts that Robin Hood could be buried in this place. After experimenting with a bow and arrows of a medieval type, he concluded that an arrow fired from the window of the gatehouse could fly off from him at most 5 meters. And the archives testify that in the 18th century, in the process of laying pipes next to the notorious gatehouse, the remains of an unknown man were discovered. Maybe these were the bones of Robin Hood? But where they are now - no one knows.