Tales and plays of Robin Hood

Preface

The main incidents and anecdotes related in this little volume are drawn from or suggested by old English ballads and traditions which sketch the greenwood life led by Robin Hood and his sturdy yeomen. For centuries the common people cherished the memory of this stout-hearted forester and celebrated the greenwood exploits in ballads, games, and rude plays. Robin Hood became a popular hero because he championed the poor, and stood for liberty in a time when cruel Norman oppressors aimed to crush the conquered Saxons.

There is much in the kinetic spirit of the merry adventures which adapts itself to the interest of young readers. The activities in the refreshing outdoor life appeal to them. They appreciate the heroic qualities in the greenwood leader. He is modest and cheerful, fearless and clever ; resourceful in emergency ; kind and generous to those who need his help. Many of the old ballads and legends relate his willingness to serve others and his delight in a square deal. And, as Professor MacClintock has said, “ There is a fine opportunity to launch into the child’s experience, upon the wave of his enthusiasm for Robin Hood, other and nobler ideals of the leader and hero.”

ELEANOR L. SKINNER.

Honor to the old bow string!

Honor to the bugle horn !

Honor to the woods unshorn !

Honor to the Lincoln green !

Honor to the archer keen !

Honor to bold Robin Hood ,

Sleeping in the underwood !

Honor to Maid Marian ,

And to all the Sherwood clan!

— John Keats.

PART I Robert of Huntington n

How Robin became an Outlaw . . . 15

Robin Hood and the Butcher . . . .3 7

The Jolly Pinder of Wakefield ... 52

Robin Hood and Allan-a-Dale .... 69

Robin Hood and Maid Marian .... 75

PART II Robin Hood and the Banbury Tinker . . in

Come forth , my child , and laugh and play And let your cheerful voice ,

With birds and brooks and Merry May , Cry out , iC Rejoice! Rejoice !”

— Old Song.

*

Under the greenwood tree ,

Who loves to lie with me , his merry note Unto the sweet bird's throat ,

Cow hither , com*? hither , cow hither: Here shall he see No enemy

But winter and rough weather.

Who doth ambition shun , loves to live in the sun ,

Seeking the food he eats ,

pleased with what he gets ,

Cow hither , com*? hither , cow hither: Here shall he see No enemy

But winter and rough weather.

— From Shakespeare’s Fo^ Like It.

IO

TALES AND PLAYS ROBIN HOOD

ROBERT OF HUNTINGTON

In Locksley town, in Nottinghamshire,

In merry sweet Locksley town,

There bold Robin Hood, he was born and bred,

Bold Robin of famous renown.

More than seven hundred years ago, in Locksley town, lived William Fitzooth, the earl of Huntington, with his gentle dame and his little son Robert. The lad was known through all the neighboring country for his grace and courtesy, his good humor, and ready wit. The people declared that my lady of Huntington had taken great pains with her little son’s training.

“He can read and write well,” said one.

“He is never lacking in courtesy,” said another.

“Some day,” said a third, “I am sure he will be a true and gracious knight.”

OF ii

The earl himself taught little Robert, or Robin, as he was often called, to shoot with a bow and arrow. The lad loved no sport better than this practice in archery, and he soon learned to speed a small arrow with wonderful skill.

Sometimes the earl of Huntington seemed a little sad and low-spirited. Then Robin would say: “Come, father, let us go to the greenwood. The birds are singing gayly in the trees and the sunbeams are dancing in the shadows. I have found a large open space in the glades where we can set a target threescore paces distant. Come!”

The shadow on the earl’s fine face would quickly vanish at this bright invitation, and away to the greenwood he and the little lad would go.

The happy years passed quickly and Robin reached the age of fifteen. One day he came home from the village in great excitement. “ Father,” he cried, “ they say that our neighbor, the Saxon lord whose land joins ours, was driven from his home yesterday by a Norman baron and his soldiers.”

The earl’s face grew pale. He looked steadily

ROBERT OF HUNTINGTON at Robin for a few moments. “That is heavy news, my lad,” he said.

“ Do you think we are in danger of losing our lands, father?” asked Robin.

“We are Saxons, my lad, and, therefore, I have lived under the shadow of that fear for many years. There is no doubt that my rich lands are desired by the Norman lords who are my enemies. I fear the time will come when they will try to wrest this estate from me. But they shall never drive me away,” said the earl, with a look of determination. “I will defend what is mine as long as I live.”

Not long after this conversation the earl’s worst fears were realized. A Norman baron followed by many soldiers made an attack on the Hall of Huntington. For hours the earl and his men fought bravely, but finally the gallant Saxon was killed, his hall was burned down, and the rich acres of his estate were claimed by a Norman enemy. Robin and his mother took refuge with Dame Huntington’s brother, Squire Gamwell, who lived not far away. The good squire welcomed them heartily and did his best to cheer and comfort the poor outcasts ; but the shock proved too much for gentle Dame Huntington, and, in a short time, she died.

Robin had lost his parents and had been robbed of his estate. No wonder his young heart was heavy with grief for many months.

. “I am glad Robin is beginning to practice with his bow and arrow again,” said Squire Gamwell one day to his steward.

“Yes, the lad seems more cheerful after he has spent a morning in the peaceful greenwood,” was the answer.

“Some say he is the most skillful archer in this part of the country,” said the squire. “There is to be an archery contest in Nottingham town next week. I think I shall persuade Robin to go and match his skill with the many renowned archers who will be there. ”

“That is a happy thought,” answered the steward. “The outing will be pleasant for the lad and he may win the prize.”

M HOW ROBIN BECAME |fl AN OUTLAW ^

One bright morning when the sunbeams were shining through the leafy glades of Sherwood forest, and the birds were trilling merry songs in the branches of the great trees, three royal foresters dressed in suits of green were lying on the soft moss under the trees. Each had a bow and a sheaf of arrows, a short knife, and a horn bugle. They were laughing and talking gayly, and feasting on roasted venison.

“It has been several weeks since we captured a poacher to take before the king’s sheriff,” said the tallest of the three.

“Yes,” replied one of his companions, in an undertone ; “the chief forester gave orders yesterday that we must keep a sharp lookout, because only a few days ago a fine deer was slain.”

“I found three arrows yesterday in yonder glade,” said the third.

“Aha,” laughed the first speaker, “find the

■5 churl who brought them into the greenwood. That would be worth talking about !”

A rustling of leaves and a merrily whistled tune now attracted the attention of the foresters, who, in an instant, sprang to their feet.

Looking in the direction of a thick coppice of hazelwood, they saw a tall, slender youth coming briskly toward them. His eager face and bright eyes expressed health and happiness. His short jerkin and hose were green, and he wore a kind of loose cap which could be pulled down like a hood. He carried a longbow of Spanish yew, and at his side hung a leathern sheath filled with cloth-yard arrows. A short woodknife with a hart’s-horn handle was fastened to his girdle.

“Hold! who are you?” cried one of the foresters in a loud, harsh voice. “And who gave you leave to walk boldly through the king’s greenwood ?”

The youth halted immediately and said :

“I am Robert Fitzooth. I intend to do no harm in the forest.”

“No harm, indeed!” cried one of the men, stepping forward. “No harm! What do you

HOW ROBIN BECAME AN OUTLAW

1 7

mean ? You are well prepared for mischief with your knife and longbow/’

“I am on my way to Nottingham,” replied Robin, respectfully. “I hope to take part in the great shooting match which his honor, the sheriff, has planned for to-morrow. Some of the best bowmen from the North are to be there,” continued the lad. His fair, young face beamed with excitement at the thought.

“And what of that ?” sneered the first forester. “Surely you do not hope to measure your skill with the strong men who will draw the bow at the sheriff’s shooting match ! A stripling like you!” A loud jeer of laughter followed this taunting speech.

“That is exactly what I intend to do,” replied Robin, flushing with anger.

“Come, take my advice and save yourself from disgrace. Go back to your home and wait until you have a man’s strength before you try to draw a man’s bow,” returned the forester.

“I’ll hold you twenty marks,” said Robin, “that I can hit any target set twoscore rods distant.”

i8

“Hear the youth brag!” was the answer.

“Come, choose me a target and if I fail to hit the mark, you may break my arrows, and ril give up the Nottingham shooting match.”

“Take him at his word, comrade. Place a target on yonder great oak trunk and humble this youngster in his pride. We’ll send him home in haste if he fails to prove his boast.”

One of the foresters now fixed the target in a place where he and his companions had often practiced, and the trial began.

The first forester stepped into the open, strung his bow, and in a few moments took careful aim. Away sped an arrow to the twoscore rods target. It lighted almost in the center.

“Ha! ha!” cheered the two comrades. “Come, youngster, what say you to that ?”

Robin said nothing. He raised his longbow and drew the gray-goose shaft to his ear. The bow string rang ! An arrow lighted in the center of the target. He turned to the foresters with an expression of pride and happiness on his young face.

“It was a chance shot!” declared one.

I M \ W

Wm gw

V. M /

“The Bow String Rang!”

'Til warrant he could not do it again,” sneered the other.

The first forester said nothing but glared angrily at the youth.

“HI shoot again. Let us have another trial. Set a target at a greater distance than the first. Come, choose me the target ! ” said Robin.

At this moment, about threescore rods away, a large herd of deer came into full view. The leader, a splendid hart with fine antlers, stood still for a moment snuffing the breeze.

“There is a target for you,” said the first forester, pointing at the herd.

Robin tightened his bow string, chose an arrow from his sheaf, and took careful aim. Twang ! The noble hart leaped high in the air and then fell bleeding on the turf.

“A royal hart is slain !” cried one of the men.

“You have broken the forest law!” said another. “Now get you out of the greenwood or we’ll punish you.”

“Nay, nay!” shouted the first forester. “Seize him! seize him and bind him! He shall suffer for killing the king’s deer!”

HOW ROBIN BECAME AN OUTLAW 21

With a pang of terror Robin now saw what a mistake he had made. Without thinking, he had accepted the forester’s challenge and had broken the forest law. Well he knew what cruel punishment awaited him if he were taken before the king’s sheriff. He strode swiftly away with a heavy heart. As he neared the large coppice of hazelwood, where the road turned, an arrow whizzed past his head. He slipped quickly into the thicket with cries of “Churl !” “Coward !” “Seize him !” ringing in his ears.

The foresters, who were at first too much astonished to act quickly, now ran in the direction of the thicket. Robert was not to be seen. Among the tangled underbrush he crept from coppice to coppice until he felt sure that the foresters had given up their pursuit.

What was to be done ? He could not return to Gamwell Hall, for the cruel men who had enticed him to break the forest laws would seek him there. Nor could he with safety live in any part of England. The king’s officers would hunt him down and punish him severely.

Slowly the thought came to him that he must become an outlaw, a wolf’s-head. His life would be worth no more than a wolf’s. No wonder his young heart sank under the thought. No wonder the sweet peace of the forest failed to comfort him. Robert Fitzooth decided that there was but one thing to do. He must join a band of outlaws and take up his life in the greenwood.

In those far-off days, when there were many cruel, unjust laws, a large number of men were obliged to hide themselves in the greenwood. Some had poached on the game in the royal forests ; others were Saxon slaves who had run away from severe Norman masters ; still others were homeless men whose lands had been wrested from them in order to enlarge the king’s hunting grounds. For such reasons, bands of men were forced to live in the heart of the peaceful woods. In Sherwood forest alone there were more than one hundred outcasts.

HOW ROBIN BECAME AN OUTLAW

Robert Fitzooth changed his name to Robin Hood and joined these men. Of course in time he was chosen leader of the greenwood band. The stout yeomen depended on him for guidance and trusted him fully because he was always fair and kind in his dealings with them. Also, had he not proved himself master of the longbow by splitting a peeled willow wand set threescore rods distant ? Not one of them could match such skill.

It was a happy, care-free life these men led in the glades. During the daytime they hunted the plentiful game which lurked in the underbrush, or sought some merry adventure which they told in the evening around the camp fires. When the weather was mild and pleasant, they slept on the moss and turf under the great trees ; when the sharp wind whistled through the bare branches, they found shelter in the natural caves of the forest. Sometimes, when the evenings were long, they gathered under the trysting tree and had contests in archery or with quarterstaff.

If, by chance, when practicing with the longbow, one of the men shot an arrow a little nearer the center of the target than Master Robin, all would shout gleefully.

“Well done! well done! I’m beaten, lads! Your master is beaten!” the greenwood leader would say quickly.

The men would laugh heartily and cry out, “Ho, for our brave leader, Robin Hood ! Ho, for our merry life in the forest.”

- KOBIN HOOD - AND LITTLE JOHN

Up sprang the lark, and up sprang the merry men in the greenwood. It was a bright spring morning. In the budding branches the linnets and thrushes were trilling their welcome to the sunrise. Everywhere the sweet scent of violets, wild thyme, and cowslips filled the clear air.

The merry men stood in little groups under the trysting tree, planning the day’s sport. A score of them surrounded Master Robin and begged him to venture with them to the outskirts of the woodland, for although they loved their merry, care-free life in the glades of the peaceful forest, they sometimes longed for a glimpse of the great busy world.

A half hour’s brisk walk brought them to the highroad which ran by Sherwood forest. The soft dew lay on the fresh green of the meadows, and the radiant morning sun touched the distant towers with gold. Master Robin seemed thoughtful, so the merry men carefully held their peace. Presently he said :

“We have had no sport these fourteen days, Therefore now abroad will I go ;

Now should I be beat and cannot retreat My horn I will presently blow.”

Then he shook hands with his companions and bade them tarry in a near-by grove and keep on the alert for the sound of three bugle blasts.

Robin strolled away toward the open country. He crossed the highroad and took a path which led through the rolling meadow lands where the white mists were slowly rising. Again he was lost in thought. Nothing of interest caught his attention until the path led to a sweet-scented hollow through which ran a deep, sparkling brook swollen by the spring rains. A huge tree trunk lay across the stream and formed a bridge wide enough for one passenger at a time to walk over.

Robin stepped from a stone to the log when suddenly he noticed a tall, lusty-looking stranger advancing from the opposite end of the bridge.

“ Stand back until I pass over,” called Robin. “Don’t you see that this log isn’t wide enough for two of us ?”

“Nay, nay,” laughed the tall stranger, “the better man will not stand back.”

“What do you mean?” called Robin. “PU show you some right good Nottingham play, and teach you to guard your tongue, my young giant.”

Quickly Robin drew from his quiver a cloth-yard arrow with a goose-wing tip.

“Come now, I declare to you if you offer to touch that string, Pll beat you for a churl,” said the stranger, calmly.

“You speak foolishly,” quoth Robin, “for were I but to bend my bow I could send an arrow through that proud heart of yours before you could strike me one blow.”

“And a coward’s trick that would be,” replied the stranger. “There you stand with bow and arrow at your command, while I, as you see, have nothing but my staff. Call you that fair Nottingham play?”

“The name of a coward I scorn,” said Robin, flushing. “Come, now, I’ll lay aside my longbow and meet you on fair terms.”

Robin stepped off the bridge and ran into a thicket which bordered the stream. He chose a strong stick of solid ground oak, about seven feet in length, for his quick eye had measured the stranger’s staff. He trimmed his cudgel and smoothed it carefully. When he came back, he saw the stranger calmly leaning on a huge quarterstaff. Robin loved nothing better than a good contest in skill or strength, so he said :

“Lo! see my staff, it is lusty and tough,

Now here on the bridge we will play;

Whoever falls in, the other shall win The battle, and so we’ll away.”

“With my whole heart,” returned the stranger, grasping his cudgel firmly in his hand.

The two now began a trial of quarterstaff in good earnest. They whirled and turned their huge sticks about for a few minutes, each watching alertly for a chance to strike the first blow. Suddenly Robin gave his opponent a tremendous blow on the ribs which made his bones ring. In a twinkling the giant brought his great staff down on Robin’s head with such a thwack that our stout yeoman nearly reeled off the log. The strokes rained thick and fast, but neither man seemed to gain advantage and neither called out “enough !” The giant’s blows were very powerful ; Robin’s were swift and numerous.

At last the stranger brought down his cudgel with such force on Robin’s crown that the king of the greenwood went heels over head into the water below. The giant called out, “I prithee, good fellow, where are you now?”

“Good faith, I’m in the flood and floating along with the tide,” returned Robin, in the best of spirits. He could not keep from laughing when he thought how he must have looked when he pitched over into the water. “I acknowledge you are a clever fellow ; you have won the day,” he said, looking gayly up at his opponent.

“And you are a brave fighter,” returned the stranger, “for you know how to accept defeat.”

Robin waded to the bank, and by the aid of an overhanging thorn bush, pulled himself out of the water. As soon as he was safely landed he raised his horn to his lips and blew three strong blasts that rang down the valley and echoed through the leafy aisles of the great forest.

In a very short time a score of stout yeomen, dressed in Lincoln green and bearing their great bows, came running up to the brook’s side. Will Stutely was in the lead.

“Good master,” he cried, “what has happened ? You are wet to the skin. Have you been in the brook?”

“That I have,” laughed Robin, “and there stands the man who tumbled me in.”

The yeomen started forward, saying :

“He shall be punished for his insolence. He, too, shall taste the brook water. Seize him!”

They started toward the stranger, who raised his cudgel ready to defend himself. Of course, there were too many for him to fight single-handed, but it did please Robin to see the young giant’s pluck and spirit.

“Hold, my lusty men! The stranger is a right brave fellow !” said Robin. “He gave me a good crack on the crown and tumbled me heels over head into the brook. But, lads, it was a fair fight and he won. Gladly would I welcome so valiant a man to my goodly company of bowmen.”

Robin turned quickly toward the stranger and asked : “Will you become one of my merry men ? You shall have a suit of Lincoln green, and we’ll teach you to use the longbow. I have threescore and nine followers. Will you come ?”

“Who are you?” asked the stranger, very much puzzled.

“I am Robin Hood,” answered the chief of the yeomen, holding out his hand.

“Robin Hood! Are you Robin Hood of Sherwood forest?” Then, springing forward:

“Oh, here is my hand,” the stranger replied,

“I’ll serve you with all my whole heart.

My name is John Little, a man of good mettle.

Ne’er doubt me for I’ll play my part.”

“John Little! John Little!” laughed Will Stutely, whose merry eye quickly measured the giant’s height. “Good Master, if John Little joins our band, I prithee let us have a christening feast and give the new babe a proper name. The cart is before the horse, master.”

“ How is that ?” inquired the stranger, sharply.

The yeoman did not answer him.

“A christening feast! A christening feast!” cried a score of Robin’s followers.

“Go, then,” said Robin, laughing, “and see to it that a merry feast is prepared. We’ll follow a little later. In the meantime John Little shall have his first walk in the greenwood with me.”

in

Off ran the yeomen. Will Stutely in the lead was laughing and shouting with merriment.

“What name have you chosen for him?” asked one of the men when he caught up with the fleet-footed Will.

“Why, Little John, of course. Did you not notice what a tiny mite he is ? He shall be called Little John, and I’ll be the precious babe’s godfather,” laughed Will, as he noticed the yeoman’s puzzled expression.

Into the deep forest they hurried, and in a short time they came to the trysting tree. As the yeomen drew near, one of the cooks who was preparing dinner called out: “Will Stutely, tell us what merry adventure you have had. There is mischief in your eye.”

“Oh, Much,” replied Will, “we have found the sweetest babe in all the world. There is to be a christening in the greenwood to-day ! I hope you have prepared a good feast !”

“The king himself could not wish for a better one, my lad. There is a brace of fat does on the spits and a big pigeon pasty is baking in the oven. We shall not want for food. But when is this christening to take place ?”

“As soon as master arrives with the babe, my good man,” answered Will, as he began to help the others arrange the long table.

Suddenly Much noticed Robin Hood and a tall stranger walking briskly toward the camp. He almost dropped the huge pigeon pasty which he was carrying to the table.

“Will Stutely,” he whispered, “is this the sweet babe you are expecting?”

“Aye, aye ! Come, let us help him to a seat,” cried Will.

Several of the men rushed forward. Before the young giant knew what was happening they picked him up in their arms and carried him to a place next to the moss-covered seat where Robin always sat.

“The feast first and then the christening / 5 cried Will Stutely.

“May our new friend live happily in the peaceful greenwood ! 55 said Robin.

The merry, merry feast began. They talked and laughed, sang and cheered. Shouts of joy rang through the greenwood and echoed down the highway. “Hear Robin Hood and his merry men ! 55 said the villagers.

Suddenly Will Stutely leaped up and said, “Master, have you a christening robe for this sweet babe ? 55

“That I have , 55 quoth Robin. “Bring forth a fine suit of Lincoln green and a long cloak . 55

When the stranger was dressed in his new clothes, Much cried out, “Is there a handsomer babe to be found ? 55

At a sign from Will Stutely seven men rushed forward and lifted the stranger in their arms. What kicking and struggling there was ! But the men held him tightly and carried him to an open space on the green.

“What is the noisy babe’s name and who are the sponsors?” called Robin, laughing merrily.

“His sponsors are holding him, master, and I am his godfather,” said Will. Three men now slipped up behind the sponsors and poured buckets of water over the big baby’s head while Will Stutely sang out gayly :

“This infant was called John Little Which name shall be changed anon,

The word we’ll transpose ; so wherever he goes His name shall be called Little John, Little John. Now cheer, one and all, Little John ! ”

How heartily the merry men laughed ! In a few moments Little John broke away from his captors, and shook the water out of his mouth and ears. As soon as he could catch his breath, he burst into the merriest laugh !

“A christening gift ! A christening gift, master,” called the men, as they circled around the new member.

Robin stepped up to the drenched infant with a good stout bow and an arrow with a gray-goose tip. He said :

“Thou shalt be an archer as well as the best And range in the greenwood with us.”

“We live here like squires or lords of renown Without ere a foot of free land.

We feast on good cheer, on game and fat deer,

And everything at our command.”

The merriment continued for a long time. They sang and danced until the sky spaces between the glades reflected soft colors from the low sun, and the long shadow of the trysting tree told them the happy day was drawing to a close.

Little John became a loyal follower and true friend of Robin Hood, and lived many years in the peaceful greenwood. “ Little John is next in command, lads,” Robin would say if he happened to leave the greenwood for a day or two.

“Robin Hood first, and next Little John,” the men would answer heartily.

“And so ever after, as long as he lived,

Altho’ he was proper and tall,

Yet, nevertheless, the truth to express,

Still Little John they did him call.”

■ ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER - I

Upon a time it chanced so Bold Robin in forest did spy A jolly butcher, with a bonny fine mare,

With his flesh to the market did hie.

“ Good morrow, good fellow,” said jolly Robin, “ What food hast thou ? tell unto me ;

And thy trade to me tell, and where thou dost dwell,

For I like well thy company.”

The butcher he answered jolly Robin :

“ No matter where I dwell ;

For a butcher I am, and to Nottingham I am going, my flesh to sell.”

“ What’s the price of thy flesh?” said jolly Robin,

“ Come, tell it soon unto me ;

And the price of thy mare, be she never so dear,

For a butcher fain would I be.”

1 '

kv -

••

4/ r i

' — r :lK

^ SSSSfr

V

^ 11

P«5^vpij

VVm* ' /v

| / >R1 fiSSI&SsT ' £

ME# v, 0 y

MV *fe« A ^

' /Jk II

‘“Four Marks I Will Give Thee,’ saith Jolly Robin” (38)

ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER

“The price of my flesh,” the butcher replied, “ I soon will tell unto thee ;

With my bonny mare — and they are not dear — Four marks thou must give unto me.”

“ Four marks I will give thee,” saith jolly Robin, “ Four marks it shall be thy fee ;