Robin Hood is one of the most popular and interesting figures in English folklore, and his story is quite well known across the world.1 There have been several films made about him, including three in Hollywood. But who was he, and did he actually exist?
In the thirteenth century, the story goes, there was a brave young man in Nottingham who fought against injustice with his band of outlaws. At that time, King Richard and his army were fighting in foreign lands.2 John was a mean and cruel ruler, and so was his friend-the terrible Sheriff of Nottingham. The Sheriff demanded money from all the people who lived in the area of Nottingham. The poor had to pay large amounts, and struggled to survive and feed their families.
In the legend, Robin Hood was angry at the injustice and decided to fight against it. He and his band of outlaws lived in Sherwood Forest, an enormous wood near Nottingham that belonged to the King. They hunted the king's deer for food. 3 The forest was considered a dangerous place of safety, away from the Sheriff's men.
There is some evidence that man called Robin Hood actually lived during the thirteenth century, but it is unlikely that he was quite such a good man.4 Today, Sherwood Forest is tourist attraction. Nearly a million people every year go to the Visitor Centre there to learn about Britain's most famous outlaw. And even if he wasn't quite such a great man, it's a great story!