Why do people think Robin Hood stole from the rich and gave to the poor?

Question

when in reality, Robin Hood stole from the gvmt and gave back to the people.

He presided over the worlds first tax refund!

But honestly, how did this myth that he stole from the rich get started?

Answer 1

Excellent point! The tax collectors were the villains, as they were also in Jesus' time. remember, He was criticized for befriending prostitutes and tax collectors, considered the lowest of the low.

Why did it change? Propaganda, pure and simple.

Similarly, the phrase "the forgotten man" originally coined to describe the poor taxpayer who was supposed to fund socialist government schemes, was appropriated by the New Dealers to garner sympathy for the beneficiary of the funds taken from you and me.

http://www.blupete.com/Literature/Essays/Best/SumnerForgotten.htm

http://www.allthingsdemocrat.com/2007/05/07/the-democratic-legacy-fdrs-forgotten-man-speech-part-two-the-reaction/

http://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Man-History-Great-Depression/dp/0066211700/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1693215-9776764?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190215068&sr=1-1

Answer 2

Robin Hood ballads are among the oldest in English. There are several versions and many retellings of the story, but many scholars believe that Robin Hood was originally a composite character - that is a character made up of the characteristics of several different people possibly from history. Many think that Robin Hood legends grew out of events shortly after the invasion of England by the Normans in 1066. When the Normans defeated the English at the Battle of Hastings, the French took control of the positions of power, and pretty much threw the existing power structure out. If one resisted this change-over, one would simply be declared outside the protection of the law (literally an "outlaw"). This declaration made it legal for the Frenchman or French collaborator of the day to take the outlaw's possessions. It was a land grab! There were those who resisted. They conducted what amounted to small scale raids on the "new power," and some did share the take with people from the community.

All that said, it reminds me of the old joke....Why did the outlaw rob banks? Because that's where the money was.

Answer 3

I agree. I get so sick of hearing liberals apout off about how everyone that has money either inherited it, or stole it. My father was a blue collar working stiff, who spent 45 years in the same union, to retire afterward. He struggled all his life, and in the end, wound up broke and frustrated. He wanted to see me do better, as i do for my children. I make 4 times what he did, have a supervisory position, live in a 350,000 home in a safe and clean neighborhood, and my kids attend private schools. I started off the same way, as a blue collar worker. I never stole anything from anyone, and worked and earned everything i have. If i can do it, anyone can, the difference is, I wasnt content to sit back and take a handout.

Answer 4

He did not just target the state. he also targeted rich free merchants. therefore, he did target the rich.

he did not provide the first tax refund, but a good joke nonetheless.

The myth is based on a real rebel at the time who lived under the rule of Richard and the Stewardship of his Brother John (who has received a bad wrap that is wholly undeserved). The rebel lived in Sherwood Forest, and took advantage of the travelled roads, and poor state (poor due to Richards campaigns in the Leveant), to prey on rich merchants.

Answer 5

The "government" was run by rich monarchs who owned land usually granted by kings and passed it down to unworthy children who only cared for themselves. They were the selected elite of the society, so yes they were rich and Robin Hood stole from them to provide for those who were less fortunate.

Answer 6

Robin Hood is a myth. There is no proof he ever really existed. The places in the story exist but there's no proof that he did. It was just a nice bed time story to tell kids to help them be as good as they could.

Answer 7

Ask Hsu. Hillary would have us believe he stole from the rich and donated it to her out of the kindness of his heart.

Answer 8

R Hood stole from the rich because......


THE POOR FOLKS DID NOT HAVE ANY MONEY!

Give to the poor? I doubt that he did much of that despite what the legend tells us.

Answer 9

Well King Arthur took the sword out of the stone, and Harry Potter fights wizards. Let us not forget the immortal words of Dr. Seuss. " I would not eat green eggs and ham, I will not eat them Sam I Am."

Answer 10

Because the government back then WAS the rich