The legend of Robin Hood is one that has held a long-standing reputation among England, specifically in Nottingham, where the tale is said to have originated. The existence of such a man with a vigilante purpose has been debated by scholars and historians alike, with little factual evidence that A) the man ever existed and B) that he was, as people say, a hero of the poor. In fact, whatever evidence there is points to the fact that there are actually two versions of what may have been the same figure - and only one of them had the best interests of the lower class in mind.
In later times, Robin Hood became the subject of many medieval discussions, becoming one of the most well-known figures in history despite the question mark surrounding his actual life. It was also during later centuries that the man everyone presumed as Robin Hood became somewhat of a hero, stealing not for himself but to aid the poor. This is where the idyllic 'steal from the rich and give to the poor' notion spawned from, with Robin Hood being the person for the job. Did this heroic thief ever truly exist, though, or was he simply an outlaw with a gang who gained a reputation?
The Earliest Known Record Of The Outlaw Gang
Supposedly, there's a massive oak tree named the Major Oak Tree which is said to have been the hideout for Robin Hood, who would have been considered an outlaw during the Middle Ages. The tree is located in the Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, England, fitting the general idea of both the legend and the man. Whether or not Robin Hood actually used this tree to hide out from the local law enforcers remains to be seen but it does make sense, to an extent. The earliest tale of the outlaw involved his gang, as well, and it was called Robyn Hood and the Monk. The ballad spoke of Robin Hood and the 'Merry Men' who were his fellow gang of outlaws, indicating that he did not act alone in any of his theft. This text dates back to the 15th century and is currently displayed at Cambridge University, and also depicts the setting of the Sherwood Forest and Major Oak Tree.
There is a second text that was set during the Middle Ages called Robin Hood and the Sheryff of Nottingham which is said to have been written in 1475. This would have been the first written account of the outlaw that wasn't a ballad, indicating that whether his existence was real or not, stories were continuously told about the historical figure.
The Real-Life Robin Hood... Maybe
Judging by the original texts that refer to Robin Hood, there were no details to indicate that he actually did anything good for the poor. Rather, the texts point to the fact that he was simply an outlaw - nothing more. While there are some allusions to the fact that he did help people in some instances, the earliest known records of the figure indicated that he was simply just a criminal. Even in those times mentioned, there's no specific mention of Robin Hood actually giving money to those who are in need. Rather, early depictions of the outlaw paint him as a harsh and violent criminal, one who had a temperament far different from that of the hero seen in many movies, books, and plays. In reality, the Robin Hood many people believe in may have been nothing of the sort.
However, it is written in History of Greater Britain by John Major that Robin Hood was indeed a follower of King Richard, which indicated that his motives may have been altruistic. Going into the 16th century, Robin Hood was transformed and became a hero, beckoning the lesser-fortuned and becoming a beacon of hope for the lower class. This ideology was so ingrained in society that many people took to dressing up like the once-outlaw for May Day, which led to his iconic garb and position in history. His stature made it all the way up the chain to royalty, where even King Henry VIII was said to have been a fan of the newly-heroic figure. As time went on, the tales of Robin Hood were re-written and inspiration was drawn from the 16th-century version of the bard, captivating him in a way that may not have been historically accurate but was enchanting all the same. While the outlaw known as Robin Hood and his Merry Men may have existed, the good-doing vigilante we know now may only exist in popular fiction and folklore.