Why is the Evidence for the Outlaw Robin Hood as Elusive as the Man Himself?

[rangerrebew]

 20 May, 2017 - 22:57 Kerry Sullivan
Why is the Evidence for the Outlaw Robin Hood as Elusive as the Man Himself?



The historic existence of the legendary English hero who ‘stole from the rich and gave to the poor’ is a perennial source of debate. Every few years, new evidence emerges of authenticity and possible identities of Robin and his friends/foes of Nottingham. Ancient Origins has already delved into the theories of the historic personage of Robin (or should we say Robert?). Now, we will broaden the scope to examine artifacts and skeletons that have been described as proof of the folk hero’s existence. Aside from possibly being connected to Robin Hood, the treasures themselves are generally rather ordinary (bows and arrows, crucifixes, some gold doubloons). However, their tendency to vanish makes each find a mini-legend in and of itself.

http://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-asia/why-evidence-outlaw-robin-hood-elusive-man-himself-008105

[Gideon300]

20 May, 2017 - 22:57 Kerry Sullivan
Why is the Evidence for the Outlaw Robin Hood as Elusive as the Man Himself?

Probably because he didn't exist.  Having familial ancestry from the Nottingham area during that time in history, I've had a vested interest in such stories all my life.  King Richard, Prince (later King) John, the Sheriff of Nottingham (of which there were many), most certainly lived in those times, but I've come to the conclusion that Robin Hood and his Merry Men were stories built from a composite of maybe several different people and incidents, combined with a huge dose of wishful thinking among the serfs of the area. 

Was King Richard a good king?  Yes.  Was Prince John a slime-ball?  In some ways, yes.  But John was also the same guy who gave us the great Magna Carta.  Was the Sheriff of Nottingham a selfish greedy criminal?  Considering there were several Sheriffs, probably a few of them were.  Were there roving bands of outlaws plying their trade in the forests of Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Sherwood?  Almost certainly, and it's nearly as certain that few if any gave away their ill-gotten gains. 

In my opinion the whole thing is just a lot folktales handed down by word of mouth for untold generations, stories whose heroes never diminish. 

[goodwithagun]

Probably because he didn't exist.  Having familial ancestry from the Nottingham area during that time in history, I've had a vested interest in such stories all my life.  King Richard, Prince (later King) John, the Sheriff of Nottingham (of which there were many), most certainly lived in those times, but I've come to the conclusion that Robin Hood and his Merry Men were stories built from a composite of maybe several different people and incidents, combined with a huge dose of wishful thinking among the serfs of the area. 

Was King Richard a good king?  Yes.  Was Prince John a slime-ball?  In some ways, yes.  But John was also the same guy who gave us the great Magna Carta.  Was the Sheriff of Nottingham a selfish greedy criminal?  Considering there were several Sheriffs, probably a few of them were.  Were there roving bands of outlaws plying their trade in the forests of Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Sherwood?  Almost certainly, and it's nearly as certain that few if any gave away their ill-gotten gains. 

In my opinion the whole thing is just a lot folktales handed down by word of mouth for untold generations, stories whose heroes never diminish.

Yes, but did they wear tights?

[dfwgator]

What about Dennis Moore?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwY98217hFE

[Wingnut]

[Gideon300]

What about Dennis Moore?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwY98217hFE

I'd never heard of Dennis Moore before, but that had to be the most hilarious thing I've seen in years!  Nothing like good ol' English-fop humor!  It reminded me so much of Leslie Howard in "The Scarlet Pimpernel", though Merle Oberon certainly made up for it.

"They seek him here, they seek him there.
Those Frenchys seek him everywhere.
Is he in Heaven? Is he in Hell?
That damned elusive Pimpernel!" 

In his most foppish voice:  "Sink me, the place is a mausoleum!" 

[Gideon300]

I'd never heard of Dennis Moore before, but that had to be the most hilarious thing I've seen in years!  Nothing like good ol' English-fop humor!  It reminded me so much of Leslie Howard in "The Scarlet Pimpernel", though Merle Oberon certainly made up for it.

"They seek him here, they seek him there.
Those Frenchys seek him everywhere.
Is he in Heaven? Is he in Hell?
That damned elusive Pimpernel!" 

In his most foppish voice:  "Sink me, the place is a mausoleum!"

"Sink me, if it isn't Colonel Ramsbottom"

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