Why The Legend Of Robin Hood Is More Complex Than Previously Thought And Possibly Wrong

Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - According to legend, Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw from Nottingham, UK. Living in Sherwood Forest, he was famous for robbing the rich and giving to the poor.

The legend of Robin Hood dates back to King John's reign in the 13th century.

He was one of three prominent outlaws, including Fulk Fitzwarin and Eustace the Monk. Still, while the latter two were identified as historical figures, it is unclear who exactly Robin Hood was.

Movie poster for the 1922 United Artists Robin Hood film, starring Douglas Fairbanks. Credit: Public Domain

It was a time when forests were covered by forest law and protected as private places for the king, where he could hunt.
However, many fugitives hid in these areas, and Sherwood and Barnsdale Forest feature heavily in the legends.

Were There Two Different Robin Hoods?

"Robin Hood was first referred to in the late 14th century, and tales throughout the 15th century, including such tales as Robin Hood and the Monk and Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne.

During this time, there are also accounts of people taking on the name Robin Hood, or Robehod, to imitate the original, which is why there is some confusion over his true identity.

The tales place Robin Hood in the north but refer to both Barnsdale and Sherwood.

Experts believe the legend may have derived from two separate sources and could have referred to two different 'Robin Hoods.' ¹

Robin Hood -  From A  Teutonic Knight, Saint To God Wodan And Much More

In the past, some English and several German scholars suggested the origin of Robin Hood has its beginnings with the Teutonic Knights. There were also speculations Robin Hood was a patron saint. In 1835, the German philologist Jacob Grimm wrote that Robin Hood resembled Knecht Ruprecht.

“Then, another German philologist, Adal Kuhn, gave the hero a completely German pedigree by identifying him as Wodan.” ²

Wodan was the Norse variant of Odin.

“Kuhn argued that certain phonological changes produced the name Hood from Wodan and the Robin from the familiar German Ruprecht, Wodan’s popular name. Kuhn began citing analogous seasonal festivals still observed in both England and Germany.” ²

It was yet another theory attempting to shed light on the identity of Robin Hood.

Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne fighting. From Robin Hood and the Men of the Greenwood by Henry Gilbert (1912). Credit: Public Domain

Truth be told, “there has been a succession of mythical Robin Hoods, each attended by a theory explaining not only the origin of the hero but of all folklore, or at least all myth.

In this scheme of things, with one theory answering all questions about the hero, one mythical Robin Hood is different from each other. All that remains constant is the hero’s name, and what is attached to it is often weird and always ingenous.” ²

Is Robin Hood Buried In Yorkshire?

Yet, according to another theory put forward by some historians and scientists, Robin Hood may have been originally from Yorkshire, where he also died.

One of the earliest stories of the outlaw, The Gest of Robin Hood, is set in Barnsdale Forest, just north of Doncaster, near Pontefract, West Yorkshire.

An epitaph recorded in 1702 claims Robin Hood was buried in Kirklees Priory, in West Yorkshire, where the legend claims he was killed, supposedly by the Sheriff of Nottingham, and dates to 1247.

An epitaph recorded in 1702 claims Robin Hood was buried in Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, where the legend claims he was killed, supposedly by the Sheriff of Nottingham. This grave (pictured) dates to 1247

Carolyn Dalton, a curator from a Doncaster museum, says Robin Hood spent his entire life in Barnsdale, Doncaster, and Pontefract. He was also buried in Kirklees, West Yorkshire.

"It's more than likely that Robin Hood was a Yorkshireman. Robin Hood's links to Yorkshire are far stronger historically, the oldest and most detailed stories give details of the north Doncaster and Pontefract area.

I think over the years, Yorkshire hasn't made much of the connection.

In terms of where Robin and his men lived, history points to Barnsdale near Doncaster,' Dalton says.

Legend has always stated the leader of the Merry Men originated from Sherwood Forest - the stomping ground of his archenemy, the Sheriff of Nottingham. Still, it seems Hood came from a different region.

The fascinating legend of Robin Hood is still alive and maybe one day we will gain more information about his identity.

Updated on May 25, 2024

Written by - Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com

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