The Earl of Huntingdon's Arched Doorway

Clement McCallin as the Earl of Huntingdon

In this rare still from Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952), we see the Earl of Huntingdon, portrayed by Clement McCallin (1913-1977).

Film writer Lawrence Edward Watkin (1901-1981) introduced an intriguing twist to the legend by making Maid Marian’s father the Earl of Huntingdon. Traditionally, this title was linked to Robin Hood himself, dating back to Tudor times and the two plays by Anthony Munday,  The Downfall of Robert Earl of Huntingdon and The Death of Robert Earl of Huntingdon, both written around 1598.

The Earl of Huntingdon leaves for Nottingham Castle

In those stills above, the Earl of Huntingdon, portrayed by Clement McCallin, stands before an elegant arched doorway.

I am sure this doorway is based on the highly decorated Norman west door at Southwell Minster in Nottinghamshire, England. This remarkably preserved Romanesque church architecture (below) dates between 1108 and 1150 and must have influenced Walt Disney's production crew.

The West Door of Southwell Minster

Disney’s production crew, including producer Perce Pearce, scriptwriter Lawrence Edward Watkin, historical advisor Dr Charles Beard, art director Carmen Dillon, and Richard Todd, visited Nottingham City Library, Nottingham Castle, Edwinstowe, Sherwood Forest, including Robin Hood’s Larder (now gone) and the Major Oak, Ollerton, Creswell Crags, Nottingham’s Caves, the Salutation Inn, Trip to Jerusalem Inn and Newstead Abbey. Their quest was to bring the REAL story of Robin Hood to the screen.

Dr Charles Beard was a historical scholar and used as an advisor on 'the mode, manners and customs of medieval England'. His knowledge and guidance, no doubt, influenced Carmen Dillon's art department to produce the Norman doorway at Denham Studios.