alan a dale
bow and arrow
friar tuck
maid marion
merry band of men
robin hood
sheriff of nottingham
sherwood forest
Robin Hood... Legend or Historic Figure?
By Darkwing
@Darkwing (21583)
May 12, 2007 12:08am CST
Who was Robin Hood... historical fact or medieval fiction? The Robin Hood Legend is well-known and loved throughout the World, most of our knowledge of the legend deriving from the earliest ballads and tales which have been handed down through the centuries.
Despite his legend status, there are many reasons to believe that Robin Hood could well have been a real historical figure. Evidence has been uncovered in Nottingham, relating to this historical period, which points to an underlying reality for our favourite Outlaw. Robin Hood became famous for his gallantry, robbing the rich to feed the poor and fighting against injustice.
Anyone who knows of the man in green, has also heard the stories of his outlaw band. The names Little John, Friar Tuck, Maid Marion, Allan a Dale, Will Scarlet, Much the Miller and the evil Sheriff of Nottingham are as much a part of the legend as Robin Hood himself.
So where did the stories and the characters come from, if they were legendary? What do you think; is Robin Hood, and his band of Merry Men, of course, legend or history?
3 people like this
7 responses
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
19 May 07
I am a fantazizer lol I always hoped there had been a Robinhood and his merry men Loved al the movies about him and maybe our own Jesse James took after the story for he did just that he robbed trains and help the people pay off their farms and such
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
12 May 07
I believe he was real I have been to Robin Hood woods in Nottingham a few years ago
I also say he was not an outlaw he was a hero with all them People he helped
He did not steal for himself of the rich he stole for the poor and that to me is not an outlaw
It is one caring Person who brightened a lot of Peoples life and gave them a Life
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
20 May 07
I really think that most legends come at some point from historical fact, and then get blown out of proportion and changed over the years to the point that they become less believable. There is so much history that gets lost through wars, successions, changes in belief systems, natural disasters... it's almost impossible to tell sometimes with oral tradition what is fact and what is fiction.
I prefer to believe there really was a Robin Hood. And a Maid Marion, and all the rest. Exactly how much of the actual story attributed to them happened, we will never know, but there have been many people throughout history who have stood up for the rights of the oppressed, and I love to think that Robin Hood was one such hero.
I think with most of the old legends it is fair to say that at some time the story was inspired by true events. Not because ancient people weren't capable of fiction, but because in the time before everything was written down, usually history was preserved in the form of such stories.
@Darkwing (21583)
•
20 May 07
I think your perception is right, Lecanis. Historically, it has been proven that a Robin Hood existed, and he had a band of men, but as you say, I think the legend has been frilled out over the years. Ok, I believe he probably did stand up for the rights of the oppressed, particularly those in his own village, but I think he was probably a lot rougher than they purport him to be. Still... I love the legends as well. Just as an afterthought; did you see the series Robin of Sherwood, because there's a video on YouTube which bears relation to both of our beliefs, and the music on it is wonderful. You might enjoy watching it, so I'll give you the URL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txYPk0K70fQ
I just love that. Brightest Blessings, and enjoy!
1 person likes this
@complexvanilla (653)
• India
13 May 07
Robin Hood is a character that is so deeply etched in the minds of countless people that to say that he was a mere legend is sacrilege to a lot of people. He may or may not have existed in reality, but his impact has been substantial, on the minds of people. Over time however, one feels that his ideals of protecting the interests of the poor have been twisted out of context to protect interests of the lazy against those who are hardworking. Your discussion has prompted me to start off a whole new Robin Hood discussion, albeit about whether his ideals amounted to communism. Do read through it and let me know your thoughts about the same. Many thanks.
CV.
@Darkwing (21583)
•
13 May 07
That's a difficult point to wrap my head around, Vanilla, about protecting the lazy. It may have been twisted out of context as you say, but people in Robin Hood's day couldn't afford to be lazy, if they wanted to live. They used to hunt, and cultivate the land, in order to feed their families... there were no jobs, as there are today, and their land was taxed by the Sheriff. This is where Robin Hood stepped in, to retrieve the tax taken from these poor villagers who were toiling to make ends meet for their families.
This said... I will read and respond to your discussion... sounds interesting and I'm glad to have provoked some thought in your mind about Robin Hood! lol.
Thank you for your response and Brightest Blessings, my friend.
@mummymo (23706)
•
12 May 07
Love this post Darkwing! I think there was a real Robin Hood and a Band of Merry Men but I also think that over the centuries the tales of their adventures and how they behave and been exaggersted and added to - to make the stories we know today a true mixture of leend and factual history! xxx
@kathy77 (7486)
• Australia
12 May 07
Hi Honey, In regards to Robin Hood, I believe that it was a historical fact, that there was such a man as he, especially in the days of Robin Hood that the people would of needed someone like him to rob from the rich and give to the poor, as in those days there were such men. I am not sure where the other names come from but they were friends of Robin Hood.
@Darkwing (21583)
•
12 May 07
Yes, I believe there's some historical fact there, although maybe the stories were fabricated somewhat into legend, not unlike Arthur's legend, into something a little more romantic and mysterious than his real life history was. I think he probably stood against taxation and protected the poor people of his village settlement, as did his men. I also believe that Maid Marion was his love and ally.
I love the Robin Hood legend, as do I the Arthurian one. Thank you for your response, my friend and Blessings of the Green Wood upon you! :-) x
