Robin Hood - fact or fiction?
Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes and Indiana Jones are all famous heroes;
but were they real, or just invented characters?
Separating the myth from the reality
There can be no doubt about Sherlock Holmes or Indiana Jones. They are definitely
invented characters. But Robin Hood: fact or fiction? That question has many answers.
It depends a bit on what you mean by a "real person". If we mean: "Was there a man called
Robin Hood, who did all the things we can read about?", then the answer is no. But if we
mean: "Was there a man who lived in the Middle Ages, and is remembered in the legends of
Robin Hood", then the answer is yes.
The legend of Robin Hood is a very old one; and it is certainly based on reality.
According to one story, Robin was really an Anglo-Saxon nobleman, perhaps called
Robin of Huntingdon, or Robin Fitz-Ooth, and he was a rebel against England's Norman
rulers.
After William the Conqueror conquered England in 1066, England was ruled by Norman
kings and Norman barons. Most of the ordinary Anglo Saxon people accepted their new
masters; but some didn't. They became outlaws, enemies of the Norman barons and the
people who worked for them.
In modern language, we could perhaps call this Robin a "resistance fighter" - though some
people might call him a "terrorist". The legend tells us that he took money from the rich, and
gave it to the poor. In fact, he probably took money from the Normans (who were relatively
rich), and gave it to poor Anglo Saxons. This is why he soon became a legendary hero among
Anglo Saxons.
Other stories claim that Robin was not an Anglo Saxon nobleman, but a common fugitive;
they say that his real name was "Robert Hod", and that he only fought against his personal
enemies, in particular the Sheriff of Nottingham, not against the Normans.
Many old stories said that Robin lived in Yorkshire. However, later stories had him living in
Sherwood Forest, near Nottingham; and today, Robin's name is definitely attached to the city
of Nottingham, and to Sherwood Forest.
Finally, what about the "merry men" that we meet in today's stories and films? Friar Tuck,
Little John and the others? And what about the beautiful "Maid Marion"?
It appears that these secondary characters have no historic base.
Nevertheless, at least one real person was the inspiration for the stories of Robin Hood;
and that person must have had friends. Perhaps there was a big man called John, and a fat friar
too. Perhaps there was even a beautiful young lady called Marion. Let's imagine these people
really existed - because in truth, they probably did, somewhere, at some time.
In Nottingham, Robin is now a very popular character. Visitors to the city can learn all
about him at the "Tales of Robin Hood" exhibition, where Robin and his adventures are
brought to life; and in Sherwood Forest, "the Major Oak", a massive old tree, is said to be
Robin Hood's tree.
Maybe Robin never lived at all in the past; but too bad! His spirit is certainly alive today.
WORD GUIDE
according to one story: as one story says - claim: suggest - fact or fiction : real or not real
- Friar: Brother, a monk - fugitive: wanted man - inspiration: idea, origin - legend : story
that is perhaps true - maid: young woman - outlaw : person beyond the law, perhaps a bandit
- take place: happen - tale: story –
Complete this paragraph about Robin Hood, adding information that you can find in the
article.
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