Robin Hood

The legend of Robin Hood is one that has intrigued audiences for years and years. From medieval films with Russell Crowe to Disney cartoons, Robin has captured hearts around the world when he stole from the rich and gave to the poor, but was Robin Hood a real person or merely just a fictional character? After centuries of studies, scholars still have not been able to determine this mystery.

The story of Robin Hood is said to have started somewhere around 14th century (Sinha). “Over the course of 700 years, Robin emerged as one of the most enduring folk heroes in popular culture” (“The Real Robin Hood”).There is a well- known Robin Hood for every era (A&E Television Networks).

Robin Hood was the fearless villain with a heart of gold that audiences loved because of him and his “merry-men’s” courageous acts to rob the higher authorities and give their gains to the less fortunate (Sinha). He was first recognized as a yeoman and then later, an aristocrat. Some say that he was unjustly driven out of his land by the town sheriff, which led him to becoming an outlaw (“Robin Hood Outlaw of the Forest”). Robin and the other outlaws lived in the forest and this is where they would ambush travelers and then feast with them. They would eat with knights, monks, and others. After the feast they would make the people pay and that is the money they would give to the peasants, who were unmercifully taxed.

Other experts claim that the king had a man by the name of Thomas of Lancaster executed and then his body was brutally drug through the streets and put on display. Thomas’ supporters then fled to the forest and became outlaws. It is possible Robin may have been one of them. This story originated in the late 1320s. When Robin was about twenty an...

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...illiam the Rob-hode (A&E Television Networks).

Another man says that Robin Hood became ill and back then they cut people and let them bleed because they thought that would let the sickness leave the body. They bled Robin Hood too much and that is what he died from. Little John was right by Robin’s side at his death and he shot his last arrow and requested to be buried wherever it landed. There is a headstone under a bridge on Yorkshire hillside in Curtlees that is labeled as Robin’s (A&E Television Networks).

As one can probably tell, there are so many different references, stories, and tales that it is hard to be able to justify whether or not Robin did in fact exist. There are very few cold, hard facts about his lifetime. So was Robin real? That is uncertain and probably always will be, but it is no doubt that his story will always be a favorite for many.