Robin Hood

A legend based in Sherwood Forest about Robin, of Loxley, who stole from the rich and gave to the poor

The Robin Hood Memorial Statue in Nottingham

Many hundreds of years ago, Richard the Lionheart was King of England. He was a wise and graceful monarch and well-loved by his subjects. But towards the end of the 12th century, he left the country, and sailed east to command a large force in the Crusades. This army contained thousands of soldiers, as well as many English noblemen. One such man was named Robin, of Loxley.

Unbeknownst to both Robin and the King, things were not well back at home. Richard's younger brother, Prince John, had been left in charge of the country - and while his sibling was away, he'd been making some changes. John seized land and property, and plotted to become the ruler of England himself. He raised taxes impossibly high, so hundreds of peasants could barely afford to eat.

When Robin returned, he discovered what had happened. His land had been taken from him, and he was forced to flee into the nearby Sherwood Forest. It was there that he began his life as an outlaw, under the name of Robin Hood.

Robin was known as being an exceptional archer; perhaps the best in the entire country. With a bow in his hand and a quiver on his back, he began to rob people who travelled through the forest. Not just any people - Robin would target the carts and wagons of the taxmen, which were full of recently collected coins and treasures. He would take the money, and give it back to the poor from which it was taken.

Of course, the authorities were furious at these crimes. They came after Robin Hood in force, led by the cunning Sheriff of Nottingham. The Sheriff commanded many soldiers, and they began searching every inch of Sherwood Forest. Luckily for Robin, he had been gathering some allies of his own. He wasn't the only outlaw in the forest, and his activities had proved very popular with these fellow criminals. They joined together, becoming known as the Merry Men. The group's leading figures included Friar Tuck, a portly clergyman, and Little John, who wasn't really very little at all. Along with his Merry Men, Robin Hood managed to avoid the Sheriff of Nottingham at every turn.

Prince John was told about this outlaw in the forest, who had eluded capture for so long. It enraged him beyond belief, so he thought good and hard, and came up with a plan. John happened to be the uncle of one of fairest young women in the land, an exceptional beauty called Maid Marion. He staged an archery contest, with first prize being Marion's hand in marriage. With such a prize at stake, John knew that Robin would be unable to resist participating.

He was right. The competition was won by a mysterious stranger, whose skill easily exceeded anyone else's. As soon as his winning arrow hit the bullseye, a team of soldiers burst onto the scene, and arrested him. They pulled off his wig, his fake beard, and the rest of his disguise, and just as they thought, they found Robin Hood, hidden underneath. He was thrown into jail, to await execution.

The night before Robin's hanging, his Merry Men snuck into the dungeons of the castle where he was being held. It was a dangerous ploy, as both the Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John were in the building, eagerly awaiting the next day's events. Nevertheless, they managed to get inside without being seen. However, there were too many guards stationed outside Robin's cell. It looked impossible to rescue him, but desperate times call for desperate measures. And so, with no options left, the Merry Men started a fire. The blaze spread quickly, soon engulfing most of the castle in flames, and in the ensuing confusion, Robin Hood escaped from his cell. He confronted the Sheriff, and after a fierce and deadly battle, Robin killed him stone dead. Together with his friends, he quickly rescued Maid Marion, and fled from the burning building. Prince John was left in one of the towers, trapped by the advancing flames.

Soon afterwards, King Richard the Lionheart returned from the east. He righted all the wrongs of Prince John's tyrannical reign, and bestowed Robin with a knighthood. Robin Hood once again became Robin of Loxley, with all the property that was rightfully his. He went home, accompanied by his new wife, the beautiful Maid Marion.

Robin Hood Tourist Information