Page 85 - All About History - Issue 09-14

The MYTHS of

Hero, archer, lover, poacher,

murderer, thief, vagabond... The
story of Robin Hood has taken

many forms through the ages, but

is there any truth in the legend?

Written by Ben Biggs

obin Hood; maybe you’ve heard of him?
Medieval lovable rogue-type chap with
green tights, good with arrows (and women),
lives in a hideout in Sherwood Forest with
Ra band of jolly outlaws where they fleece
greedy travelling rich folk of their cash under the
threat of violence, before sending them packing.
His generosity to the downtrodden is renowned
and he’s loved by the common folk, hated by the
wealthy and powerful and he’s a devil with the
ladies, if you know what we mean – especially
high-born damsels trapped in their metaphorical
towers (or actual towers, depending on the story).
He doesn’t see eye-to-eye with corrupt authority
figures either but don’t think that Robin Hood is
anything but a loyal and patriotic Englishman:
everything he does, he does for his country and
the rightful king, Richard I of England, who’s off
fighting a noble crusade against evil heathens,
thousands of miles away.
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