Was Robin Hood from Yorkshire?

[Blackleaf]

Everything you know about the legend of Robin Hood may be wrong, after experts have claimed the outlaw was in fact a Yorkshireman.

Refuting centuries-old reports that the villain lived in Sherwood Forest in Nottingham, a curator from a Doncaster museum states evidence suggests otherwise.

She claims literary references put Robin Hood firmly in Barnsdale, Doncaster and Pontefract throughout his life - and he was also buried in Kirklees, West Yorkshire.

‘It's more than likely that Robin Hood was a Yorkshireman,' said Carolyn Dalton, from Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery.

Was Robin Hood from YORKSHIRE? Outlaw has more ties to the county than Nottinghamshire, claims expert

Officials in Doncaster claim Robin Hood originated from Yorkshire
They claim the county features predominantly in literature about the outlaw
His remains are said to be buried in Kirklees, West Yorkshire, for example
The church where he married Maid Marian is believed to be in Doncaster
Claims were made by curators at the Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery ​

By Victoria Woollaston for MailOnline
9 September 2014
Daily Mail

Officials from Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery claim Robin Hood (illustrated) originated from Yorkshire. They state the county features predominantly in literature about the outlaw

Everything you know about the legend of Robin Hood may be wrong, after experts have claimed the outlaw was in fact a Yorkshireman.

Refuting centuries-old reports that the villain lived in Sherwood Forest in Nottingham, a curator from a Doncaster museum states evidence suggests otherwise.

She claims literary references put Robin Hood firmly in Barnsdale, Doncaster and Pontefract throughout his life - and he was also buried in Kirklees, West Yorkshire.

‘It's more than likely that Robin Hood was a Yorkshireman,' said Carolyn Dalton, from Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery.

‘Robin Hood's links to Yorkshire are far stronger historically, the oldest and most detailed stories give details of the north Doncaster and Pontefract area.

‘I think over the years Yorkshire hasn't made much of the connection.

'In terms of where Robin and his men lived, history points to Barnsdale near Doncaster.’

Legend has always stated the leader of the Merry Men originated from Sherwood Forest - the stomping ground of his archenemy, the Sheriff of Nottingham.

But Yorkshire historians claim the earliest stories put his origins firmly in Barnsdale - on the border between South and West Yorkshire near Doncaster.

The experts argue Yorkshire boasts more points of historical reference than any other county, including the site where Robin Hood's remains are believed to be buried at Kirklees Priory, near Brighouse, West Yorkshire.

One of the earliest stories of the outlaw, The Gest of Robin Hood, is set in Barnsdale Forest, just north of Doncaster, near Pontefract, West Yorkshire.

First written down in the 15th Century, the Gest also mentions a church where Robin later marries Maid Marian, which is thought to be St Mary Magdalene, Campsall, in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

And in another legend, the outlaw ties the Bishop of Hereford to a tree in Barnsdale and robs him.

One of the earliest stories of the outlaw, The Gest of Robin Hood, is set in Barnsdale Forest, just north of Doncaster, near Pontefract, West Yorkshire (pictured). While the only early ballad to mention Nottingham is Robin Hood and the Monk, with few mentions of the notorious Sheriff

‘It's more than likely that Robin Hood was a Yorkshireman,' said Carolyn Dalton, from Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery (pictured holding a 14th century Hallgate medieval pot). ‘Robin Hood's links to Yorkshire are far stronger historically, the oldest and most detailed stories give details of Doncaster and Pontefract'

This was said to have taken place in Skelbrooke Park in Doncaster, where a 'Bishop's tree' still stands, and it is the home of Robin Hood's Well.

But the only early ballad to mention Nottingham is Robin Hood and the Monk, and few mention the notorious Sheriff.

Robin Hood was first referred to in the late 14th century, and in tales throughout the 15th century including Robin Hood and the Monk, and Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne.

During this time, there are also accounts of people taking on the name Robin Hood, or Robehod, to imitate the original, which is why there is some confusion over his true identity.

The tales place Robin Hood in the north, but refer to both Barnsdale and Sherwood.

Experts believe the legend may have derived from two separate sources, and could have referred to two separate Robin Hoods.

An epitaph recorded in 1702 claims Robin Hood was buried in Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, where the legend claims he was killed, supposedly by the Sheriff of Nottingham, and dates to 1247.

Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery has unveiled an exhibition exploring its links to Robin to mark this year's St Leger horse racing festival.

The town council is also inviting members of the public to support the claims in a visitors' poll.

An epitaph recorded in 1702 claims Robin Hood was buried in Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, where the legend claims he was killed, supposedly by the Sheriff of Nottingham. This grave (pictured) dates to 1247

Ms Dalton holds a 14th century dagger, which she hopes help prove Robin Hood was from Yorkshire. It is part of a wider exhibition that Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery has unveiled, exploring its links to Robin Hood. Nottingham already features a number of statues (pictured right) and tours linked to the outlaw

Medieval artefacts are on display as part of the exhibition, which opened this week, while the question of whether Doncaster can claim Robin will be decided in the visitors' poll.

Ms Dalton is also keen to set up a Robin Hood trail in the area.

Councillor Bob Johnson, Doncaster Council's cabinet member for tourism, said: ‘Robin Hood's links to Doncaster and the rest of Yorkshire are perhaps more convincing than Nottingham's, so I'm hoping the exhibition will be interesting and thought-provoking.’

This is not the first time a custody battle between Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire has been fought.

In 2004, Doncaster was accused of ‘jumping on the bandwagon’ when it named its airport after the hero who robbed from the rich to feed the poor.

WHAT ARE YORKSHIRE'S LINKS TO ROBIN HOOD?

One of the earliest stories of Robin Hood, called The Gest of Robin Hood, is set in Barnsdale Forest, just north of Doncaster, near Pontefract, West Yorkshire.

First written down in the 15th Century, the Gest also mentions a church where Robin later marries Maid Marian, which is thought to be St Mary Magdalene, Campsall, in Doncaster, South Yorks.

In another legend, the outlaw ties the Bishop of Hereford to a tree in Barnsdale and robs him.

This was said to have taken place in Skelbrooke Park in Doncaster, South Yorks., where a 'Bishop's tree' still stands, and it is the home of Robin Hood's Well.

Robin Hood's remains are believed to be buried at Kirklees Priory, near Brighouse, in West Yorkshire, too.

But the only early ballad to mention Nottingham is 'Robin Hood and the Monk' and few mention the notorious Sheriff.

WHO WAS ROBIN HOOD?

The legend of Robin Hood is believed to date back to the reign of King John in the 13th century.

He was one of three prominent outlaws, including Fulk Fitzwarin and Eustace the Monk, but while the latter two were clearly identified historical figures, it is unclear who exactly Robin Hood was.

Forests during this time were covered by forest law and were protected as private places for the king, where he could hunt.

Many fugitives used these areas, however, to hide out and both Sherwood and Barnsdale Forest feature heavily in the legends.

Robin Hood was first referred to in the late 14th century and tales throughout the 15th century including such tales as Robin Hood and the Monk, and Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne.

During this time, there are also accounts of people taking on the name Robin Hood, or Robehod, to imitate the original, which is why there is some confusion over his true identity.

The tales place Robin Hood in the north, but refer to both Barnsdale and Sherwood.

Experts believe the legend may have derived from two separate sources, and could have referred to two separate ‘Robin Hoods’.

An epitaph recorded in 1702 claims Robin Hood was buried in Kirklees Priory, in West Yorkshire, where the legend claims he was killed, supposedly by the Sheriff of Nottingham, and dates to 1247.



Read more: Was Robin Hood from Yorkshire? Outlaw is closely tied to county | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

 

[taxslave]

And we thought he was from England.

 

[#juan]

Robin Hood, the colorful bandit who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor, is complete fiction. While there are different characters from history who each exhibited some of the exploits of the legendary outlaw, none survive careful examination. I'm afraid Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Little John, Maid Marian etc, all came from someone's active imagination.......probably in Hollywood...:roll:

 

[gerryh]

Robin Hood, the colorful bandit who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor, is complete fiction. While there are different characters from history who each exhibited some of the exploits of the legendary outlaw, none survive careful examination. I'm afraid Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Little John, Maid Marian etc, all came from someone's active imagination.......probably in Hollywood...:roll:

Not from Hollywood

Robin Hood -- Bold Outlaw of Barnsdale and Sherwood

 

[EagleSmack]

duh.

 

[Blackleaf]

Robin Hood, the colorful bandit who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor, is complete fiction.

What a load of nonsense. Robin Hood was a real historical figure. If he was fictional the historians wouldn't be saying he may have come from Yorkshire rather than Nottinghamshire, would they?

 

[Corduroy]

Robin Hood, the colorful bandit who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor, is complete fiction.

 

[EagleSmack]

About as real as these two.

 

[Blackleaf]

That's from last Saturday's episode of Doctor Who.

In that episode the Doctor thought that Robin Hood was fictional - until he discovers that he was, in fact, real.

 

[#juan]

About as real as these two.

Now those two I believe. ;-)

 

[Corduroy]

That's from last Saturday's episode of Doctor Who.

In that episode the Doctor thought that Robin Hood was fictional - until he discovers that he was, in fact, real.

I know. I saw that documentary too. Though I don't remember Robin Hood having a Yorkshire accent.

 

[#juan]

That's from last Saturday's episode of Doctor Who.

In that episode the Doctor thought that Robin Hood was fictional - until he discovers that he was, in fact, real.

So, now we use a science fiction TV program as proof of history. God help us....:roll:

Next you'll tell us that Dr. Who is real...

 

[EagleSmack]

So, now we use a science fiction TV program as proof of history. God help us....:roll:

Next you'll tell us that Dr. Who is real...

Yes that is sadly correct. Most of Blackie's historical facts are indeed founded in myth, legends, and Sci Fi.

Dr. Who is a main source of primary research material for him.

 

[Blackleaf]

I'm afraid Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Little John, Maid Marian etc, all came from someone's active imagination.......probably in Hollywood...:roll:

Friar Tuck - a common character in modern Robin Hood stories, which depict him as a jovial friar and one of Robin's Merry Men. The figure of Tuck was common in the May Games festivals of England and Scotland during the 15th through 17th centuries. He appears as a character in the fragment of a Robin Hood play from 1475, sometimes called Robin Hood and the Knight or Robin Hood and the Sheriff, and a play for the May games published in 1560 which tells a story similar to Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar. (The oldest surviving copy of this ballad is from the 17th century.) It has often been argued that the character entered the tradition through these folk plays, and that he may have originally been partnered with Maid Marian. His appearance in "Robin Hood and the Sheriff" means that he was already part of the legend around the time when the earliest surviving copies of the Robin Hood ballads were being made.

Friar Tuck - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Little John - Little John appears in the earliest recorded Robin Hood ballads and stories,and in the earliest chronicle references to Robin Hood, by Andrew of Wyntoun in about 1420 and by Walter Bower in about 1440, neither of which refer to any other of the Merry Men. In the early tales, Little John is shown to be intelligent and highly capable. In A Gest of Robyn Hode, he captures the sorrowful knight and, when Robin Hood decides to pay the knight's mortgage for him, accompanies him as a servant. In Robin Hood's Death, he is the only one of the Merry Men that Robin takes with him In the 15th-century ballad commonly called "Robin Hood and the Monk", Little John leaves in anger after a dispute with Robin. When Robin Hood is captured, it is Little John who plans his leader's rescue. In thanks, Robin offers Little John leadership of the band, but John refuses. Later depictions of Little John portray him as less cunning.

Little John - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Maid Marian - Maid Marian was originally a character in May Games festivities (held during May and early June, most commonly around Whitsun) and is sometimes associated with the Queen or Lady of May of May Day. Jim Lees in The Quest for Robin Hood (p.81) suggests that Maid Marian was originally a personification of the Virgin Mary. Both a "Robin" and a "Marian" character were associated with May Day by the 15th century, but these figures were apparently part of separate traditions; the Marian of the May Games is likely derived from the French tradition of a shepherdess named Marion and her shepherd lover Robin, recorded in Adam de la Halle's Le Jeu de Robin et Marion, circa 1283. It isn't clear if there was an association of the early "outlaw" character of Robin Hood and the early "May Day" character Robin, but they did become identified, and associated with the "Marian" character, by the 16th century. Alexander Barclay, writing in c. 1500, refers to "some merry fytte of Maid Marian or else of Robin Hood".

Maid Marian - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


The Merry Men also includes the likes of Will Scarlet, a skilled swordsman who is Robin Hood's nephew; Arthur a Bland, an accused poacher who bests Robin in a fight and joins the band; David of Doncaster (which, of course, is in YORKSHIRE, not Nottinghamshire) warns Robin against going to the Sheriff of Nottingham's archery contest, because it is a trap; Will Stutely, who gives Little John his outlaw name; and Alan-a-Dale, a roving minstrel. He appears in the later ballad "Robin Hood and Allen a Dale", in which Robin helps him rescue his sweetheart, who is being forced into marriage with another man.

I know. I saw that documentary too. Though I don't remember Robin Hood having a Yorkshire accent.

He didn't have a Nottinghamshire accent either. It sounded to me as though he had a Home Counties accent. The actor who played him, Tom Riley, is front Kent. This is to be expected of the BBC, though. They know little of the parts of the country north of Watford Gap. If they were to be historically accurate they would have had Robin speaking with a Yorkshire accent. They should have had a Yorkshireman play him.

 

[EagleSmack]

The best character to ever play the mythical character of Robin Hood! An American

 

[Blackleaf]

So, now we use a science fiction TV program as proof of history. God help us....:roll:

Next you'll tell us that Dr. Who is real...

In that recent Doctor Who episode the Doctor thought that Robin Hood is a fictional character, and that therefore the Robin Hood he met, and his Merry Men, were probably holograms or robots. It then turned out that Robin and his Merry Men were, in fact, real.

 

[EagleSmack]

Oh brother.

 

[petros]

Robin Hood makes good flour, the English one is a fruitcake.

 

[#juan]

I agree. But that movie had a great cast and a good director and a big budget........I don't know what Dr. Who thought about it....Lol

 

[Blackleaf]

Oh brother.

What are you whingeing for? Point out the inaccuracies in what I said and I'll gladly correct them.

The Doctor thought that Robin Hood was a fictional character and that therefore he is talking to a hologram or robot. But it turns out that Robin is not fictional, but is real.

Here's the episode for you to watch. What more proof do you need?

BBC iPlayer - Doctor Who - Series 8: 3. Robot of Sherwood

I agree. But that movie had a great cast and a good director and a big budget........I don't know what Dr. Who thought about it....Lol

I've seen Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and it's a rubbish film and Costner is a crap Robin Hood. He's got a mullet for a start. And so has the Sheriff of Nottingham. Not only that but all the characters speak with American accents, even though it's set in SHERWOOD FOREST and a time when the residents of Sherwood Forest didn't even know that North America even existed. I think that one of his Merry Men was black, too, if I remember rightly. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is one of the worst Robin Hood films ever made.