BRITISH CELEBRITIES (IV): ROBIN HOOD

Robin Hood

Robin Hood (aka Robyn Hode) is a heroic outlaw very famous in the English folklore. He became a popular folk figure in the late-medieval period. The legend says that he was a highly archer and swordsman. Traditionally, he’s described dressing Lincoln green.The origin of Robin is unknown. Some modern academic opinions believe that he is a mix of history and legend identifying him as Robin the Earl of Huntington, Robin of Wakefield, Robin of York or Robin of Loxley. The early ballads about Robin Hood identify real places as Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene at Campsall or the Abbey of Saint Mary at York.

In Kinkless, there’s a grave with an inscription where we can read: Hear underneath dis laitl stean / Laz Robert Earl of Huntingtun / Ne’er arcir ver as hie sa geud / An pipl kauld im Robin Heud /Sick [such] utlawz as he an iz men / Vil England nivr si agen / Obiit 24 kal: Dekembris, 1247.

Robin Hood, as King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table is a great example of fiction becoming history, a fantastic demonstration about the oral and popular traditions and how the legend becomes history. 

More information: The Real Robin Hood

King of outlaws and prince of good fellows.

 Richard the Lionheart