50 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019the English map: Robin Hood’s Cave and Robin
Hood’s Stoop in Derbyshire; Robin Hood’s Well
in Barnsdale Forest, Yorkshire; and Robin Hood’s
Bay, also in Yorkshire. When the story is traced
back to its 14th-century beginnings, the figure
of Robin Hood changes with time. The earliest
versions would be almost unrecognizable when
compared to the green-clad, bow-wielding Rob-
in Hood of today. As the centuries passed, the
tale of Robin Hood evolved as England evolved.
With each new iteration, the Robin Hood leg-
end would absorb new characters, settings,
and traits—evolving into the familiar
legend of today.S
tealing from the rich to give to the poor,
Robin Hood and his Merry Men are
a permanent part of popular culture.
Set in England during the reign of King
Richard the Lionheart, the adventures
of Robin Hood follow the noble thief as he woos
the beautiful Maid Marian and thwarts the evil
Sheriff of Nottingham. The story has been
around for centuries, but its most familiar ele-
ments are also the most recent additions.
Like the roots of Sherwood Forest, the ori-
gins of the Robin Hood story extend
deep into English history. His
name can be found all overBOOKS OF
BALLADS
Published in 1769,
The Exploits of the
Renowned Robin Hood
(above) tried to trace
the lineage of Robin
Hood and included
prose stories as well
as ballads about the
outlaw and his band.MERRY MEN
As Robin Hood’s fame grew, so did his
supporting cast, depicted (right) in sketches
created in the 20th century. Not all were
added at the same time—Little John appears
in the earliest ballads while Maid Marian
begins to appear in the 1500s. As more
characters are added, the blend of costume,
romance, and pageantry helped the tale
become a deep part of popular culture.BRIDGEMAN/ACIRobin
From the outset, Robin Hood was
depicted as a rebel who pitted
himself against authority. Even so,
the idea that he stole from the rich
to give to the poor only becomes
a character trait from the 16th
century onward.Little John
The name of Robin’s deputy in the
ballads was ironic as he is a notably
brawny man. He saves his leader’s
life on more than one occasion.
He is one of Robin’s earliest
companions and appears in many of
the oldest ballads.LONG
LIVE
ROBIN
HOOD!early 1300s
The legend of Fulk III
FitzWarin, a rebel against
the 13th-century King
John emerges, a possible
model for the Robin Hood
tales, which are emerging at
this time in oral form.William Langland’sVision of
Piers Plowmanincludes the
first known literary reference
to Robin Hood. Social tensions
between rich and poor will
burst into the open with the
Peasants’ Revolt of 1381.circa 1377
SEAL OF KING JOHN OF ENGLAND, 1200. NATIONAL ARCHIVES, PARIS
BRIDGEMAN/ACI