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A range of Robin Hoods from left to right: Bronze Statue (1949), 19th Century Etching, Kevin Costner (1991), Disney (1973), Erroll Flynn (1938), The Men of the Greenwood (1912), Sean Connery (1976) and Russell Crowe (2016) #Nottingham

A range of Robin Hoods from left to right: Bronze Statue (1949), 19th Century Etching, Kevin Costner (1991), Disney (1973), Erroll Flynn (1938), The Men of the Greenwood (1912), Sean Connery (1976) and Russell Crowe (2016) #Nottingham

No account of Nottingham in the Middle Ages could be complete without mention of Robin Hood. He's been variously portrayed over the centuries as yeoman, aristocrat, and anarchist, but did he ever actually exist?

Well, Hood isn't an unusual name in the Midlands, and researchers have even come across several called Robin in medieval archives, although these include various spellings - but that was common in the past. There are also over twenty surviving ballads describing Robin's often violent exploits. And although these were written down as early as 1500, they were certainly being told and sung much earlier.

For instance, the poem Piers Plowman, written in Middle English in the 1370s, mentions them and implies they were well known even then. But as the stories make no reference to identifiable people or recognisable events, it's impossible to date them; and besides, could one person have done so many extraordinary things?

But there were definitely gangs living in the forest which were largely beyond the law. Robin obviously had his gang of supporters like Little John, but Friar Tuck and Maid Marian are alas known to be later inventions. So much of the Robin Hood story has been added and changed over time, and often seemingly to reflect the fears and fascinations of later times. But just perhaps there's a grain of historical truth in the stories. We all hope so

(Text and pictures from the Nottingham Castle Guide) www.nottinghamcastle.org.uk

Taken in: UK / England / Nottingham (show map)

Taken on: October 11, 2025

Tags:

robinhood

nottingham

legend

story

narrative

myth

rippingyarn

tale

hero

heroic

heroes

outlaw

rebellion

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