I was just reading a question someone asked about Robin Hood and it reminded me that I read somewhere, that the legend of Robin Hood was based in Wales not Nottingham. Someone's written a book about it but I can't remember, I read an article some time ago. Anyone throw any light on this?
2006-11-01 10:17:12 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
The Whole story is based on a land owner supposedly from Nottingham that was named Robert Hod. He became disillusioned with his family's way of life and went to live as a hermit in the wilds of the country side. There are accounts of a wild woodman attacking travellers on the local roads, which is ultimately where the tales come from.
This has always been attributed to Nottingham and Sherwood Forest, However a recent discovery about 2 miles outside Sheffield throws the whole story into a different direction. Remains of a primitive hovel were discovered and dated back to about 1120 AD and believe it or not Sheffield Council and Tourism Board are in the process of trying to prove outright that Robin Hod (Hood) was in fact a Yorkshire man who never went near Nottingham or Sherwood Forest.
Hope that helps a bit.
Rob
2006-11-02 05:21:22 · answer #1 · answered by Rob C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The last poster is right- Robin Hood was a Yorkshire man! Or rather, Yorkshire men- the legends are based on the exploits of many different men. The first mention of him was in a poem or 'gest' called Robin Hode and the Monke- this was written in about 1460. Way back then Sherwood forest did stretch down most of the middle of England, so travellers all over the country could be accosted by hooded outlaws- the leader was always recognised as Robin Hood. The legend became associated with Nottingham fairly late on, but the merry men were said to come from all over the place- Little John was from Barnsdale- modern Barnsley in Yorkshire. Robin finally ended his days in West Yorkshire- when he fell ill he was taken to Kirklees Abbey for help but the Abbess poisoned him instead of curing him. With his last strength he's said to have shot an arrow from the abbey window and asked to be buried where it fell. His 'grave' is still there in Hartshead, West Yorkshire, but it's on private land now and can't be viewed. These is a fascinating legend- for more information read 'Robin Hood' by J C Holt.
2006-11-01 21:07:43 · answer #2 · answered by wendy k 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Neither in my opinion i think there's evidence to suggest Wakefield in Yorkshire there's parish records that mention a Robert Hode who was a Yeoman Archer who married a woman called Mathilda there's other records that mention a Robert Hode who was outlawed around Wakefield who was later pardoned by King Edward this was in the14th Century. The early Gestes (tales) speak of Robin Hood being in Barnsdale which is near Wakefield which is in Yorkshire. Now the Sheriff at the time had Authority over Nottingham and Yorkshire and it is possible that Robin entered Sherwood Forrest at certain times to poach deer among other things. Also Little John is believed to be buried in Hathersage which is in the Peak District but there's is no overwhelming evidence. But i have never heard Robin been connected to Wales before that's new but interesting i do believe though King Arthur was born in Glamorgan there is just no evidence to support South Cadbury Castle or Glastonbury.
2006-11-02 01:30:17 · answer #3 · answered by jack lewis 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a long running argument between Nottingham and Yorkshire about where Robin Hood came from. The reason for this was the size of Sherwood Forest centuries ago , it apparently
stretched into the boundaries of Yorkshire and so many Yorkshire people say he was from there.
Never heard anything about Wales though!
2006-11-01 19:41:52 · answer #4 · answered by grebo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nottingham is where Robin Hood came from-The Welsh are always trying to steal different things to make them look good. FOR CHRIST SAKE LEAVE SOMETHING FOR SOME OTHER PEOPLE- YOU CANNOT HAVE EVERYTHING OK! i I was bought up in nottingham and this legends been with nottingham for 100s of years.
2006-11-02 09:33:26 · answer #5 · answered by Little Minx 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He was from Nottingham and lived in Sherwood Forest .Nottingham East Midlands Airport should have been called Robin Hood airport but instead some halfwits decided to give the name to Doncaster airport ,which is nowhere near Notts.
2006-11-01 10:26:37 · answer #6 · answered by little weed 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think Wendy K has the best answer.
There are Robin Hood legends associated with both Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire.
Plus the village of Robin Hood's Bay is in Yorkshire (near Whitby) - though there is no clear evidence of Robin Hood operating in the area. (Maybe the village was just named after a pub).
I'd guess the association with Wales might be the archery - Wales was once famous for its archers.
2006-11-02 21:01:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nottingham
2006-11-01 10:33:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lets put it this way, before that bloke wrote that book, had any known Robin Hood story EVER been set in Wales?
No, and compare that to the scores that are based in notts, some dating back to the 12th century (and it's doubtless that the story was much older than when it was first recorded).
Either way, it's an English legend. It was originally an English ballad, and I'm pretty sure wales doesn't have such a connection.
2006-11-01 10:29:40 · answer #9 · answered by AndyB 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Robin Hood, Robin of Loxley, born Loxley, had a gang of merry men in sherwood forest nottingham, went on holidat to a caravan park in rhyl/prestatyn arfea of north wales thus camp is called Robin Hood camp - true story.
2006-11-01 10:34:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋