IN LIVING
COLOR
A Gest of Robyn Hode,a popular ballad
about the outlaw, began being printed in
the 15th and 16th centuries. Many of its
events show up in later tellings of Robin
Hood, such as the 1917 work written by
Paul Creswick and illustrated by N. C.
Wyeth, whose vivid artworks, reproduced
here, brought Robin Hood to life.LEFT TO RIGHT: GRANGER/AURIMAGES; BRIDGEMAN/ACI. ARROWS: GARY OMBLER/DK IMAGES. BACKGROUND: BRIDGEMAN/ACI
I
n an archery contest, Little John
impresses the Sheriff of Nottingham
with his skills. The Sheriff then hires him as a
servant for 12 months. One day, Little John is
hungry. He gets rid of the butler, heads for the
pantry, kicks down the door, and begins to eat
and drink his fill.He sporned the dore with his fote [foot];
It went open wel and fyne;
And there he made large lyveray [livery],
Bothe of ale and of wyne.little john and the cook
S
ome time later, Little John bumps into
the Sheriff and invites him to dine on
venison in the forest. Robin Hood serves up
the dinner on the Sheriff’s stolen plates and
then pretends to hold him captive.Sone he was to souper sette [supper sat],
And served well with silver white,
And when the sherif sawe his vessell[s],
For sorowe he myght nat ete..................
Whan they had soupëd well,
The day was al gone;
Robyn commaunded Lytell Johnn
To drawe [remove] his hosen and his shone
[shoes]
The Sheriff falls for their trick
Wait, listen, gentle
fellows, what we
have here now of
Little John,
LITTLE JOHN FIGHTS
WITH THE COOK IN
THE SHERIFF’S HOUSE.
OIL PAINTING BY
N. C. WYETH, 1917“