One can safely assume
that everybody in England knows this man, at least by name. Robin
Hood is an old legend, a legend that has been told in various
ballads, stories, and films for almost a thousand years. His name
conveys the idea of merry life, kindness, and heroic actions. And
yet, none can be sure how much is true from the countless tales that
often contradict each another.
This book is not the
first of Robin Hood's short stories collection that I read, but even
by reading the first chapter, I could clearly see the differences
between legends of the bold outlaw. Robin was a youth who hid in the
forest after killing one of the king's archer, the story says. There
he lived for a long time with a band of his merry men, all clad in
Lincoln green, happily and joyfully, without fear or dread. As the
time passed, Robin met and befriended many stout and brave people
such as Little John, Will Scarlet, Allan a Dale, who willingly shared
an outlaw's life with him.
People loved him for
many good deeds that he had done, albeit the means were not so
honest. He made sure that no want occur in the winter for the poor,
by giving them what they needed from the spoils he took from any rich
man or bishop who dared to pass Sherwood. He's bold and just in his own ways. He reign his men in such a way that they loved him dearly, that they would rather die than betray him.
I can't help but
noticing one thing in this book: no love story between him and Maid
Marian. It is mentioned that he loved her, but Marian never came to
the forest, nor met Robin in all the stories compiled in the book.
Honestly, I miss her. Maid Marian was said to be a good archer
herself, and good with sword as well.
They say that there are
hundreds of ballads and tales about him and his merry men. So I
imagine the writer has done his best in choosing which to mention and
which to leave. I must say that this version is not my favourite, but
it contains stories that are new to me, so it complements my old
knowledge of this archer. I will close this review with an excerpt
from the book: a writing they put on brave Robin's grave:
HEAR UNDERNEAD DIS
LAITL STEAN LAIS ROBERT EARL OF HUNTINGTUN NEA ARCIR VER AS HIE SAE
GEUD AN PIPL KAULD IM ROBIN HEUD SICK UTLAWS AS HI AN IS MEN VIL
ENGLAND NIDIR SI AGEN OBIIT 24 KAL. DEKEMBRIS 1247.
(Here underneath
this little stone
Lies Robert Earl of
Huntingdon
No archer was as
he so good
And people called
him Robin Hood
Such outlaws as he
and his men
Will England never
see again
8 November 1247)
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