Storyworlds of Robin Hood : The Origins of a Medieval Outlaw

Robin Hood is one of the most enduring and well-known figures of English folklore. Yet who was he really? In this intriguing book, Lesley Coote reexamines the early tales about Robin in light of the stories, both English and French, that have grown up around them--stories with which they shared many elements of form and meaning. In the process, she returns to questions such as where did Robin come from, and what did these stories mean? The Robin who reveals himself is as spiritual as he is secular, and as much an insider as he is an outlaw. And in the context of current debates about national identity and Britain's relationship with the wider world, Robin emerges to be as European as he is English--or perhaps, as Coote suggests, that is precisely the quality which made him fundamentally English all along. --front flap dust jacket Robin Hood is one of the most enduring and well-known figures of English folklore. Yet who was he? In this intriguing book, Lesley Coote re-examines the early tales about Robin in light of the stories, both English and French, that surrounded them - stories with which they shared many elements of form and meaning. In the process, she returns to questions such as 'sWhere did Robin come from?' and 'sWhat did these stories mean?' The Robin who reveals himself is as spiritual as he is he is secular and as much an 'sinsider' as he is an outlaw. And in the context of current debates about national identity and Britain's relationship with the wider world, Robin emerges to be as European as he is English - or perhaps, as the author suggests, that is precisely the quality which made him fundamentally English all along Cover 1 Title Page 4 Imprint Page 5 Contents 6 Introduction: Who Was Robin Hood? 8 1: Robin Hood and the Written Word 19 2: Robin Hood and the Printed Word 43 3: Robin Hood and ‘Maid’ Marion 62 4: Robin Hood and the Virgin Mary 88 5: Robin Hood and Romance Narratives 105 6: Robin Hood and Other Tricksters 123 7: Robin Hood and the Comic Tale 152 8: Robin Hood and the Medieval Past 177 Appendix: The Texts in Modern English Translation 202 References 258 Select Bibliography 288 Acknowledgements 298 Photo Acknowledgements 300 Index 302