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Robin Hood is one of the most recognizable characters in popular culture. He has been the hero of countless books, comics, plays , and of course , motion pictures. Everyone has read or seen tales of the outlaw's adventures of the outlaw and his band of ‘Merry Men.’ He has become a by-word for a popular hero who takes from the rich and gives to the poor.

It is often assumed that he is only a legend, but others contend that he was a historical character. There has been a great deal of debate on the historicity of the famous outlaw. This article examines some of the latest research and theories on this question and tries to determine if there was a real Robin Hood?

====The What is the story of Robin Hood==? ==The story of Robin Hood is so well known. The story was set in 13th century England, and Robin Hood was the alias of Robin of Locksley and an Earl. He was a follower of King Richard I (the Lionheart) , who when he went on Crusade had his throne usurped by his brother Johnwhen he went on Crusade. Robin is forced to become an outlaw by the evil King John , who was a cruel tyrant. The Sheriff of Nottingham, the King's agent of the King, attempts to capture and kill the brave Robin.

However, he defies him , and in a series of adventures , he escapes the clutches of the Sheriff and his henchmen. Robin assembles a number of several colorful outlaws such as Will Scarlett, Little John, and Friar Tuck. The hero is concerned for the welfare of the poor, and he is opposed to the corrupt aristocracy and clergy. He is a great archer and is a thorough gentleman. The outlaw is typically shown to be in love with the beautiful Maid Marian.

At the end of the tales of Robin Hood, he manages to outwit the Sheriff of Nottingham and helps the rightful king , Richard the Lionheart , reclaim the throne of England. This monarch pardons Robin and even marries him to Maid Marion. However, this is the modern version of the outlaw's tale of the outlaw, and there have been many earlier versions of the outlaw adventures of the outlaw , and these are often very different from the one that we all know so well.<ref> Kennedy, D.N. 'Who was Robin Hood?', Folklore, vol. 66 (1955), pp. 413-415</ref>.

====The development of Who created the legend====[[File: Robin Hood three.jpg|200px|thumb|left|The alleged burial site story of Robin of Locksley, often believed to be the historical Robin Hood]]? ==The name Robin Hood or similar names seems seem to have been as terms to describe outlaws, who were engaged in crimes such as poaching, which was a capital crime in England. There are many references to Robe Hood or Robehod, who were bandits and outlaws. It appears that it was part of the oral tradition , and many tales of him were told in the Shires of England in the Middle Ages.<ref>Kennedy, p 410</ref>

The first literary reference to the outlaw was in the classic Medieval epic poem Piers Ploughman, written in the mid-to-late 14th century. The first stories of Robin Hood were narrated in some ballads that date from the 15th century. In some, he He is a great hero, but in others, he is involved in comic adventures. Unlike the modern version in these ballads, the outlaw is a member of the Yeoman class, who were mainly small landowners. [[File: Robin Hood three.jpg|250px|thumb|left|The alleged burial site of Robin of Locksley, often believed to be the historical Robin Hood]]Robin was very popular in English folklore, and his life and adventures were the subjects of many plays. However, there is no one definitive version of the tales. In one story Maid Marion is shown to be a witch and the enemy of the great bowman. By the 15th century, Robin and his ‘Merry Men’ stories had become associated with May Day festivities. <ref>Kennedy, p 413</ref> May Day marked the beginning of summer, and it was for centuries more popular than Christmas.

There were many portrayals of and references to Robin was very popular in English folklore, Elizabethan and Jacobian dramas. Shakespeare referred to the ‘good’ bandit and his life and adventures were the subjects band in several of many playshis dramas. HoweverFor example, there is no in one definitive version of the tales. In his comedies, he has one story Maid Marion is shown to be a witch and the enemy of the great bowman. By the 15th centuryhis characters say, ‘By the stories bare scalp of Robin and his ‘Merry Men’ had become associated with May Day festivities. Hood’s fat friar/This fellow were a king for our wild faction!’ <ref>KennedyShakespeare, William, Two Gentlemen of Verona, p 413Act 2, scene 3</ref> May Day marked the beginning of summer, and it was for centuries more popular than Christmas.

There were many portrayals By the end of and references the 16th century, the development of printing made Robin known to Robin in Elizabethan and Jacobian dramasa wider audience. Shakespeare referred to During the ‘good’ bandit and his band in several of his dramas. For example18th century, in one the standard version of his comedies he has one Robin coalesced because of his characters say, ‘By the bare scalp English writer Ritson. He compiled an anthology of Robin Hood’s fat friar/This medieval ballads on the outlaw's life and adventures and his fellow were a king for our wild faction!’ <ref> Shakespeare, William, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act 2, scene 3</ref> bandits.

By It was only in the end of the 16th 19th century, that the development present version of printing made Robin known Hood was fully developed, and this was mainly thanks to a wider audiencethe depiction of the character in the novel ‘Ivanhoe’ by Sir Walter Scott. During Scott's book was based on the 18th century, the standard version compilation of Robin coalesced because stories by Ritson. The authors of the English writer Ritsonchildren’s books then popularized this version. He compiled an anthology These sanitized versions of the medieval ballads folktales were popular on the life stage, and adventures of the outlaw and his fellow banditslater Hollywood made motion pictures based on them.

It == Who was only Robin of Locksley in the 19th century that the present real life? ==The modern version of Robin Hood was fully developedcenters around Robin of Locksley, and this was mainly thanks to the depiction Earl of the character in the novel ‘Ivanhoe’ by Sir Walter ScottHuntingdon. Scott's book was based Robin went on a Crusade with the compilation of stories by Ritsongreat heroic King Richard the Lionheart. This version was then popularized by However, he returned to England only to find King John had seized the authors of children’s books. These sanitized versions throne of his brother Richard the medieval folktales were popular on the stage, and later Hollywood made motion pictures based on themlawful monarch.

====Robin of Locksley====In is a historical figure who was the modern version Earl of Huntington. Robin Locksley's grave is often referred to locally as the grave of Robin Hood centers around Robin of . But there are some problems with this theory. Locksleywas from Yorkshire and not in Nottinghamshire, the Earl setting of HuntingdonRobin's legend. Robin went on Crusade with Additionally, there is entirely no evidence that the great heroic king Richard Earl was an outlaw or bandit.<ref>Kennedy, p 412</ref> Moreover, it is highly unlikely that an aristocratic figure such as Locksley would ever have used a bow and arrow. The bow was a weapon that was used primarily by soldiers who were yeomen, not nobiles. Furthermore, in the Lionheart. Howeverearliest ballads, he returned the hero is referred to England only to find King John had seized as a commoner and most definitely not a noble, like the throne Earl of his brother Richard the lawful monarchHuntingdon.

Robin of Locksley is a historical figure who was the Earl of Huntington. Robin Locksley's grave is often referred to locally as the grave of the Robin Hood. But there == Who are some problems with this theory, Locksley was from Yorkshire and not in Nottinghamshire, the setting of the legend of Robin. Additionally, there is entirely no evidence that the Earl was an outlaw or bandit.<ref>Kennedy, p 412</ref> Moreover, it is highly unlikely that an aristocratic figure such as Locksley would ever have used a bow and arrow. The bow was a weapon that was used primarily by soldiers who yeomen, not the nobility. Furthermore, in the earliest ballads, the hero is referred to as a commoner and most definitely not a noble, like the Earl of Huntingdon.  ====Other other candidates for the real Robin Hood==? ==

Another theory potential candidate to be the ‘real’ Robin Hood is that Robin de Deyville (or De Vile) Roger Godberd. He was from the Nottingham area and lived in the real Robin Hood13th century. He was an adherent initially a friend of the Sheriff of Simon de MontfortNottingham, an aristocratic rebel who sought but the two fell out after a local power struggle. Godberd was prosecuted by the Sherriff and took to curb royal powerthe forests, and lived a life outside of the law. After Montfort’s defeat at the Battle a series of Eveshamadventures as a bandit and robber, de Deyville fled to he was eventually pardoned by the forests King and became a banditlocal landowner. There However, while there are some undoubtedly similarities between this historical figure Godberd and the legendary outlawRobin Hood's well-known adventures, and some Early Modern writers believed but there is no evidence to suggest that he was the historical character upon which the outlaw was basedever known as Robin Hood.

Another potential candidate to be the ‘real’ == Was Robin Hood is Roger Godberd. He was from a mythological figure? ==Since the Nottingham area and lived in Tudor era, several scholars claimed that the 13th century. He legendary outlaw was initially , in reality, a friend of the Sheriff spirit of Nottingham, but the two fell out after a local power struggleforest. Godberd This theory was prosecuted by the Sherriff based on his remarkable fortune and took to skill with the forests and lived a life outside of bow. Some have suggested that the law. After a series story of adventures as a bandit and robberRobin Hood, he who was eventually pardoned by very much opposed to the King and became established Church, was somehow related to a local landowner. Howeverpagan cult, while there are undoubted similarities between Godberd and the well-known adventures a relic of the Nottingham banditold Celtic religion, there is no evidence that continued to suggest that he was ever known as Robin Hoodflourish in the dense forests.

====Robin Hood as a mythological figure====Since For example, his traditional color’ green, is often associated with the Tudor era, there fairies. Some have been several scholars who claimed even argued that he was the embodiment of one of the spirits of the forest. Many believe that the legendary outlaw figure's origin was, in reality, a spirit of the forestNorthern European folkloric figure known as Hodekin. This theory He was based on his remarkable fortune regularly portrayed with a felt hat, and skill with he was seen as a ‘good’ spirit, like the bowoutlaw-hero. Some have suggested Then some claim that the story of Robin Hoodwas Puck, who was very much opposed to the established Church was somehow related to a pagan cultwell-known goblin.<ref> Raglan, Lord. The Hero: A Study in Tradition, Myth, and Drama (London, 1936), p 145</ref> However, a relic of the old Celtic religion, claims that continued to flourish in the dense forestsfamous Bowman was a mythical spirit has been somewhat discredited.

For example, his traditional color’ green, == Was Robin Hood just a nickname for English Outlaws? ==The most widely accepted theory is often associated with the fairies. Some have even argued that he there was the embodiment of no one of the spirits of the foresthistorical figure by that name. Many believe that the origin The name Robin is a diminutive of the outlaw figure Robert, was an extraordinarily common name in the Northern European folkloric figure known as Hodekinmedieval England. He The surname Hood was regularly portrayed with also common in England during this time period. Hood is also a felt hat, and he word that was seen as a ‘good’ spirit, like name for the outlaw-hero. Then there are those who claim that Robin was Puck, the well-known goblinwoods.<ref> RaglanCoghlan, LordRonan. The Hero: A Study in Tradition, Myth, and Drama Robin Hood Companion (London, 1936Xiphos Books, 2003), p 14513</ref> However, the claims that the famous Bowman was a mythical spirit has been somewhat discredited.

====There were probably many Robin Hoods, and some of them were probably outlaws and went to the forest beyond the control of the King and his officials. It seemed that many outlaws and fugitives from the law began to use the name Robin Hood- . In all probability, the name was a nickname====The most widely accepted given to any who have been outlawed by the Royal authorities over time. One theory is there suggests that the name was no one historical figure an alias used by that namethieves and robbers to hide their real identity. The name Robin is a diminutive of Robert was an extraordinarily common name in medieval England. The surname Hood was also common in England during this time period. Hood is also a word that was a name for would be comparable to the Dread Pirate Roberts from the woods. book and movie <refi> Coghlan, Ronan. The Robin Hood Companion (London, Xiphos Books, 2003), p 13Princess Bride</refi> . In that story, each Dread Pirate Roberts would pass the title to someone else who would take his place.

There were probably many The name Robin Hoods and some of them were probably outlaws and went to the forest which was beyond Hood also became associated with the control tradition of the King and his officialsoutlawry. It seemed that In medieval England, there were many outlaws bands of bandits and fugitives from robbers in the law began to use the nameforests, Robin Hoodsuch as Sherwood Forest. In all probability<ref>Coghlan, p 15</ref> Among the name was a nickname given to any common people, robbers, and poachers who have been outlawed by defied the Royal authorities, over timeagents were often seen as heroes. One theory suggests It seems that these ‘Robin Hoods’ were the name was an alias that was used by thieves subject of ballads and robbers to hide their real identity. Robin Hood would be comparable to the Dread Pirate Roberts from became part of the book and movie <i>The Princess Bride</i>oral tradition. In that storytime, each Dread Pirate Roberts would pass the title to someone else who would take his place'Robin Hoods' became so popular that they were incorporated into celebrations that marked May Day and other festivities.

The name Even official records began to refer to 'Robin Hood also became associated with the tradition of outlawry. In medieval England, there were many bands of bandits and robbers in the forests ' to describe a person who had been outlawed for committing serious crimes such as Sherwood Forestpoaching and murder.<ref>CoghlanEssentially, p 15</ref> Among the common people, robbers term 'Robin Hood' became interchangeable with 'outlaw.' The various balladeers and poachers who defied the Royal agents were often seen storytellers began to use Robin Hood as heroesa stock character. It seems So whenever someone wanted to tell a tale of an outlaw that these ‘Robin Hoods’ were they used the subject of ballads and became part name of the oral traditionmost popular outlaw in Medieval England. In time, There were so many references to the 'Robin Hoods' became so popular name that they were incorporated into celebrations people began to assume that marked May Day and other festivitieshe was a historical figure.

Even official records began to refer Many writers later connected the legend to 'Robin Hood' as a way to describe a person who had been outlawed for committing serious crimes such as poaching variety of historical figures. The best-known example of this is the link that some writers made between the story of the outlaw and murderRobin of Locksley. Essentially<ref> Wright, Thomas. Essays on Subjects Connected with the term 'Robin Hood' became interchangeable with 'outlaw.' The various balladeers Literature, Popular Superstitions, and storytellers began to use History of England in the name of Robin Hood Middle Ages (London, 1846), vol. II, pp. 164-211 </ref> As a result, over time, what started as a stock character. So whenever, someone wanted story or a nickname came to tell be regarded as a tale of an outlaw real-life person. This is something that they simply used the name of has regularly happened down the most popular outlaw centuries in Medieval England. There were so many references to the name that people began to assume that he was a historical figurevariety of cultures.

Many writers later connected the legend to a variety of historical figures. The best-known example of this is the link that some writers made between the story of the outlaw and Robin of Locksley.<ref> Wright, Thomas. Essays on Subjects connected with the Literature, Popular Superstitions, and History of England in the Middle Ages (London, 1846), vol. II, pp. 164-211 </ref> As a result, over time, what started as a story or a nickname came to be regarded as a real-life person. This is something that has regularly happened down the centuries in a variety of cultures. ====Conclusion====Robin Hood is perhaps the most famous bandit of all time. However, it is highly likely that there was no single person known as Robin Hood. Robin Hood morphed into an alias in England in the 1300s-1600s. The name was a nickname or epitaph that eventually became synonymous with those who engaged in banditry in England in the Middle Ages and who lived outside of the law. Balladeers and writers took up the legend, and they greatly embellished it. The stories about the Merrie Men, the Sherriff of Nottingham , and Maid Marion are just tales. There was no historical Robin Hood, but that does not mean that we cannot enjoy the characters' tales and stories about the character.

DobsonKnight, RStephen Thomas.B[https://www., edamazon.; Taylor, J., ed. Rymes of Robyn com/gp/product/080148992X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=080148992X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=9b78d49476a662a209e5bcc31498a31f Robin Hood: An Introduction to the English Outlaw A Mythic Biography]. (LondonCornell, Cornell University Press, 19762004), pp. 63-64.

Dobson, R.B., ed.; Taylor, J., ed. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0750916613/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0750916613&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=457672e512b801fcd7aad75b32f1decc Rymes of Robyn Hood: An Introduction to the English Outlaw] (London, 1976). Evans, Michael R. 'Robin Hood in the landscape: place-name evidence and mythology', in: Phillips, Helen, ed. Robin Hood: Medieval and Post-Medieval (Dublin, 2005), pp. 181-87.

Knight, Stephen Thomas. Robin Hood: A Mythic Biography. (Cornell, Cornell University Press, 2004).  Raglan, Lord. The Hero: A Study in Tradition, Myth, and Drama (London, 1936).

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