ABOUT THIS BOOK Conditions and Terms of Use DEAR JOS,—Robin Hood was a real man. The stories Copyright © Heritage History 2010 about him are very old. They were written many, many years Some rights reserved ago by men whose names have been forgotten. The old letters in which they were printed are very difficult to read, but now, This text was produced and distributed by Heritage History, an in this little book, you will find the stories easy both to read organization dedicated to the preservation of classical juvenile history books, and to the promotion of the works of traditional history authors. and to understand. The poetry is in the same words as it was in those old books. The books which Heritage History republishes are in the public domain and are no longer protected by the original copyright. They may Robin Hood lived in times very different from ours. In therefore be reproduced within the United States without paying a royalty the first chapter of this book I have told you about those times, to the author. and how and why Robin came to live in the Green Wood, and The text and pictures used to produce this version of the work, to have all his wonderful adventures. however, are the property of Heritage History and are subject to certain restrictions. These restrictions are imposed for the purpose of protecting the If you do not care about the 'how and why,' you must integrity of the work, for preventing plagiarism, and for helping to assure begin the book at its second chapter, but I hope you will begin that compromised versions of the work are not widely disseminated. at the beginning, for the more you know about brave Robin, In order to preserve information regarding the origin of this text, a the more you will love and admire him. copyright by the author, and a Heritage History distribution date are included at the foot of every page of text. We require all electronic and Your loving Aunt, —H.E. MARSHALL printed versions of this text include these markings and that users adhere to the following restrictions. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. You may reproduce this text for personal or educational purposes as long as the copyright and Heritage History version are included. ROBIN HOOD CAME TO GREENWOOD............................. 3 2. You may not alter this text or try to pass off all or any part of it as your ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN ....................................... 5 own work. THE WEDDING OF ALLAN-A-DALE.................................. 10 3. You may not distribute copies of this text for commercial purposes. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER ................................... 13 4. This text is intended to be a faithful and complete copy of the original ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP ........................................ 18 document. However, typos, omissions, and other errors may have occurred during preparation, and Heritage History does not guarantee a ROBIN HOOD AND MAID MARIAN ................................... 24 perfectly reliable reproduction. ROBIN HOOD AND THE SILVER ARROW ....................... 28 Permission to use Heritage History documents or images for commercial purposes, or more information about our collection of ROBIN HOOD AND KING RICHARD ................................. 33 traditional history resources can be obtained by contacting us at THE DEATH OF ROBIN HOOD ............................................ 38 [email protected] Original Copyright 1910 by H. E. Marshall. 2 Distributed by Heritage History 2008 to help the weak against the strong, and had he stayed in CHAPTER I England after he became king he might have done much good. He might have taught the proud Norman nobles that true nobility rests in being kind and gentle to those less strong and HOW ROBIN HOOD CAME TO LIVE IN less fortunate than ourselves, and not in fierceness and cruelty. THE GREEN WOOD Yet Richard himself was neither meek nor gentle. He was indeed very fierce and terrible in battle. He loved to fight with Very many years ago there ruled over England a king, people who were stronger or better armed than himself. He who was called Richard Cœur de Lion. Cœur de Lion is would have been ashamed to hurt the weak and feeble. French and means lion-hearted. It seems strange that an But Richard did not stay in England. Far, far over the English king should have a French name. But more than a seas there is a country called Palestine. There our Lord was hundred years before this king reigned, a French duke named born, lived, and died. Christian people in all ages must think William came to England, defeated the English in a great tenderly and gratefully of that far-off country. But at this time battle, and declared himself king of all that southern part of it had fallen into the hands of the heathen. It seemed to Britain called England. Christian people in those days that it would be a terrible sin to He brought with him a great many Frenchmen, or allow wicked heathen to live in the Holy Land. So they Normans, as they were called from the name of the part of gathered together great armies of brave men from every France over which this duke ruled. These Normans were all country in the world and sent them to try to win it back. Many poor though they were very proud and haughty. They came brave deeds were done, many terrible battles fought, but still with Duke William to help him fight because he promised to the heathen kept possession. give them money and lands as a reward. Now Duke William Then brave King Richard of England said he too would had not a great deal of money nor many lands of his own. So fight for the city of our Lord. So he gathered together as much when he had beaten the English, or Saxons, as they were money as he could find, and as many brave men as would called in those days, he stole lands and houses, money and follow him, and set out for the Holy Land. Before he went cattle from the Saxon nobles and gave them to the Normans. away he called two bishops who he thought were good and The Saxon nobles themselves had very often become the wise men, and said to them: 'Take care of England while I am servants of these proud Normans. Thus it came about that two gone. Rule my people wisely and well, and I will reward you races lived in England, each speaking their own language, and when I return.' The bishops promised to do as he asked. Then each hating the other. he said farewell and sailed away. This state of things lasted for a very long time. Even Now King Richard had a brother who was called when Richard became king, more than a hundred years after Prince John. Prince John was quite different from King the coming of Duke William, there was still a great deal of Richard in every way. He was not at all a nice man. He was hatred between the two races. Richard Cœur de Lion, as his jealous of Richard because he was king, and angry because he name tells you, was a brave and noble man. He loved danger; himself had not been chosen to rule while Richard was in he loved brave men and noble deeds. He hated all mean and Palestine. As soon as his brother had gone, John went to the cruel acts, and the cowards who did them. He was ever ready bishops and said, 'You must let me rule while the king is Original Copyright 1910 by H. E. Marshall. 3 Distributed by Heritage History 2008 away.' And the bishops allowed him to do so. Deep down in At last he threw himself down beneath a great oak, his wicked heart John meant to make himself king altogether, burying his face in the cool, green grass. His heart felt hot and and never let Richard come back any more. bitter. He was full of rage and fierce thoughts of revenge. A sad time now began for the Saxons. John tried to Cruel men in one day had robbed him of everything. His please the haughty Normans because they were great and father, his home, servants, cattle, land, money, his name even, powerful, and he hoped they would help to make him king. He all were gone. He was bruised, hungry, and weary. Yet as he thought the best way to please them was to give them land and lay pressing his face against the cool, green grass, and money. So as he had none of his own (he was indeed called clutching the soft, damp moss with his hands, it was not John Lackland) he took it from the Saxons and gave it to the sorrow or pain he felt, but only a bitter longing for revenge. Normans. Thus many of the Saxons once more became homeless beggars, and lived a wild life in the forests, which covered a great part of England at this time. Now among the few Saxon nobles who still remained, and who had not been robbed of their lands and money, there was one called Robert, Earl of Huntingdon. He had one son also named Robert, but people called him Robin. He was a favourite with every one. Tall, strong, handsome, and full of fun, he kept his father's house bright with songs and laughter. He was brave and fearless too, and there was no better archer in all the countryside. And with it all he was gentle and tender, never hurting the weak nor scorning the poor.