The Adventures of Robin Hood

“As it happened, young William Fitzooth had a Saxon mother and a Saxon grandmother, and was already beginning to feel that he was neither Norman nor Saxon, but British—and that the way to find contentment and security for the country was by justice and not by cruelty.”

Robin’s father’s mindset in this passage implies that Robin’s views on justice are inherited—passed down from a man who believed in a unified identity that did away with divisive ties. The passage also hints, however, at the persisting discord between the Saxons and Normans even after so many years since the conquest, linking to The Erasure of Conquered Heritage.

“Well, young Robin, born in the good green-wood, and no stately hall or painted bower; may you be true to the soil of England and bring help to the down-trodden all your days.”

Here, Robin’s grandfather unwittingly espouses a kind of prophecy that will morally guide Robin’s actions throughout his life. It also gestures toward the notion that Robin belongs not in the grand halls of Norman conquerors but rather within the forests of England as a member of the Outlaw Society.

“The easiest way of getting it [money] was to accuse some wealthy man of treason or law-breaking, make him an outlaw—and seize his house or castle and all his goods. For an outlaw could own nothing, and anyone who killed him would be rewarded.”

This passage outlines a cornerstone in Prince John’s schemes to acquire wealth for himself and his followers. Prince John’s ability to abuse the legal system in such a way also gestures toward the widespread corruption of his reign and the nobility. The Prince’s actions contribute to The Creation of Outlaw Society.

“‘Speak not of revenge,’ said Will Scarlet gently. ‘It is for justice that we fight.’”

For all that Robin and his men generally go out of their way to impede, harass, incapacitate, thieve from, and fight with Prince John and his followers, their actions are never done out of a sentiment of revenge for what they’ve endured. Retribution, as this quote shows, and fairness are what Robin and his men pursue in the end, linking to his (sometimes uneven) Social Justice.

“Why, the very act of calling yourself Earl of Huntingdon in right of your mother’s Saxon forbears shows you as a traitor: the old Saxon earls were deprived and outlawed for refusing to obey their rightful King, William of Normandy, and only the Earldom created by the King has any right to law.”

This excerpt demonstrates the denigration and overall residual hostility between the Saxons and the descendants of the conquering Normans despite three generations having passed since the Norman conquest of 1066. Here, Saxon culture and its importance to the people of Locksley are being erased for not being deemed valid in the eyes of Prince John and his followers. This passage connects to the theme of The Erasure of Conquered Heritage.

“‘Why then,’ came the quiet answer, ‘here and now Robert Fitzooth, Earl of Huntingdon, ceases to be. You have called me Robin Hood: both you and your Sheriff—yes and Prince John himself shall live to fear that name.’”

Here, the quote outlines Robin’s complete abandonment of his identity as Robert Fitzooth in lieu of the identity his grandfather had foreseen for him under the name “Robin.” This moment also enshrines Robin as the hero of the narrative and Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham as its villains.

“‘Indeed, I thought no other,’ said Robin gravely, ‘and though the ceremony is but half completed, I hold that we are none the less man and wife in the sight of God and of this congregation.’”

This passage demonstrates Robin’s steadfast commitment and love for Marian as well as foreshadows his views on marriage. Though the wedding rites were not completed, Robin is of the opinion that love and marriage are God’s work, and as a faithful man, he would not validate the Prince’s schemes to come between him and Marian and the power of God.

“I ride to the merry greenwood, there to set up my court!”

This excerpt gestures toward the fact that, while Robin may be outlawed by Prince John, he does not abandon his gentility. Rather, his statement indicates that no matter what Prince John might do to his social status, Robin will forever remain a noble who attends a noble’s court. He retains his nobility in the outlaw society over which he presides.

“I [Friar Tuck] am her [Marian] confessor, and indeed I should know! Has she not beauty, grace, wit, good sense and high valour? Can she not fence with the sword, ply the quarter-staff and shoot with the long bow all but as well as—as Robin Hood himself? Truly a worthy mate for a worthy man.”

In this instance, Green surprisingly characterizes Marian as more than a damsel in need of Robin’s protection. Rather, despite living in a society that would have women controlled by men, Marian is here depicted as a woman of character with her own sense of agency.

“We are all comrades and brothers, though me they have chosen to be their leader and their king—not because I am by right an Earl, not merely because I have the gift of a steady hand and a clear eye and so can shoot an arrow further and straighter than most men, but because one must rule and I come of a race of rulers (though we are but slaves now to our Norman masters).”

This quote denotes the dynamics in Robin’s outlaw court in Sherwood Forest that are fundamentally built on trust and respect. Though lineage still bears weight in the decision, Robin is nevertheless chosen to be the outlaws’ leader for his character and his personhood.

“And in this I hold that we commit no treason: when Richard comes home from the Crusade this reign of terror and evil against which I fight will end. Cruel, lawless John will oppress us no longer, nor his friends and followers use us without right or justice, as slaves and not as free men.”

Green outlines how Robin’s persistence as an outlaw has more to do with societal resistance than a vendetta against the man who marginalized him from his community. What motivates Robin and his men, in other words, is the need for greater equality and fairness in an otherwise crookedly unjust society. Thus, The Creation of Outlaw Society is linked to social justice.

“He began by telling them, as he had told the men at arms, of his banishment, and reminding them that they were outlaws, but not robbers.”

Here, the author outlines the moral differentiation between Robin and his men’s actions and that of common criminals. Though they do take illegally from unsuspecting individuals, Robin and his men have a moral purpose to justify their decisions, guided by his sometimes inconsistent sense of social justice.

“After Robin Hood had rescued Will Scarlet from the Sheriff of Nottingham, he remained quietly in Sherwood Forest for some time, building huts in several of the most secret and hidden clearings, drilling his followers and teaching those who were new to it all the secrets of woodlore.”

This excerpt showcases how Robin militarizes his men and fortifies Sherwood Forest into a stronghold capable of outwitting and overpowering the individuals who would dare try to attack them within their new home. As the forest is not legible or navigable unless a person has received instruction from Robin, Sherwood Forest becomes as impregnable as a fortress. Even an outlaw society must plan for its protection.

“It is our custom here in the greenwood to give every man who joins us a new name. What say you, my friends, shall we not make this into a christening feast for our new friend, and bestow a greenwood name upon him?”

The so-called greenwood baptism is a recurring custom that Robin applies to all new members of his outlaw society. The purpose of such an action is for these outlaws, who no longer have any connection to their old identities, to reclaim and create a new one that no longer hinges upon the whims of Prince John’s unfair justice system.

“‘Come away with me now to our secret glen, and let Scarlet and Much, Little John, and the rest, welcome their queen—as I do; and swear, as I do, to be true and faithful servants now and henceforward to you, Maid Marian of Sherwood Forest.”

When Marian claims her new identity in Sherwood Forest, she is not simply acquiring a new name but also a new social status in the outlaw society. Becoming Queen of Sherwood officializes her relationship with Robin in a way that society outside of Sherwood would not have allowed. Though they remain chaste, their love is here unified.

“He [Prince John] was doing this [traveling about the country], so rumour said, because a dispute had arisen between the Foresters of the Forests of Delamere and Wirral as to which were the best archers: and Prince John—hoping to increase his popularity—had proclaimed this great archery meeting, and thrown the contest open to the archers of the other northern forests such as Barnsdale, Plompton, and Sherwood.”

In this instance, Green outlines how, despite his royal status, John is not immune to the whims of his people. Since King Richard remains alive, John’s position and claim to the throne are fragile at best, but should he garner enough favor with his citizens, his claims will be that much more secure.

“‘Shame upon you, false Prince!’ cried Robin, drawing himself up to his full height. ‘This is no way to treat a guest, and the lawful winner of your prize.’”

This quote reveals the implicit code of conduct that dictates the interactions of civil society. To be a guest of the nobility ensures a certain level of safety, and to transgress that safety would be breaking with the very conventions that uphold the social boundaries of the English hierarchical system. There is irony in an outlaw living on the fringes of society holding the Prince to a long-established code of conduct.

“‘I owe no allegiance to Prince John,’ he [Sir Richard of Legh] continued grimly. ‘Under King Richard, Ranulph Earl of Chester is my only over-lord.’”

The author gestures toward the complex dynamics of the nobility class structure. Though the Earl of Chester is lower in rank than Prince John, his allegiance to King Richard gives him enough social and political power to defy John in every regard.

“But let us make our bargain too. If I bring you where you may find this Robin Hood alone, unarmed and at your mercy, will you promise to pay me a hundred pounds?”

This exchange between Robin and Arthur-a-Bland is significant because it characterizes much of how Robin makes wagers with his men and anyone he encounters. Though he remains honest in the clauses of his wager, he remains devious, cautiously keeping the upper hand over his opponent through smoke and mirrors.

“For though a price was set one every one of their heads [Robin’s and his merry men’s], even the poorest serf would have died rather than betray them.”

Here, Green creates a juxtaposition between Robin and Prince John through the intermediary that is the citizens of England. While John needs to incite interest and plan lavish tournaments to earn the people’s favor, Robin has an unshakeable loyalty between him and the citizens for his good deeds and perpetual aid.

“‘Until it served you [Worman] better to betray me,’ interrupted Robin coldly. ‘Yes, deny it not…That I forgave you, and sought for no vengeance. But you yourself have shown no mercy, though mercy has been shown to you, and you swore to me once as Scarlet did also, to do all in your power to save whom you could from the cruel Forest Laws which bring God’s curse upon this land.’”

In this accusation against Worman, Green reveals that Robin’s anger against Worman stems not from his betrayal of Robin himself and the ensuing loss of status he experienced as a direct result. Rather, Robin faults Worman for his betrayal of the poor and those whom he swore to help as he could, further proving that Robin holds the comfort of others above his own and linking to this sense of social justice.

“‘Sir Guy, you shall swear by the oath you hold most sacred, first that you will seek no vengeance on these good people who shielded us and helped us against you; and second, never more to pursue my lord Robin Hood or me—and on these conditions you shall live.’ ‘And if you break this oath,’ added Robin, ‘there is no more mercy for you.’”

Here, the author outlines the solemnity of oaths within the narrative and the unyielding nature of such vows. Though Sir Guy of Gisborne is not known for being the best of knights, both Marian and Robin recognize that should he take his oath, he can—to a degree, at least—be trusted, as nothing could be taken more seriously than a knight's solemn word.

“‘Coward as well as forsworn knight and false traitor,’ said Robin quietly. ‘Will you not even meet me fairly, man to man and sword to sword? There is no shame in that: I am gently born as yourself, you know well: but to shoot an unarmed man is shame indeed—and damnation to follow.’”

In this instance, Green implies the general nuance of Sir Guy of Gisborne’s hold on his honor. Though he fundamentally breaks the oath he made to Marian, he seemingly cannot bring himself to debase his honor enough to kill an unarmed man—which is ironically his undoing.