11. Scathelok Is Arrested

Every day for the following weeks and months, the Sheriff’s men were kept busy collecting the new crippling taxes. These were dreadful times as Prince John tried to invent more ingenious ways of raising money.

William Scathelok was a poor farmer who had already paid one levy, when the Sheriff and his men were demanding more.

“I cannot pay the tax sir!” He cried falling to his knees. “I paid my Lord’s levy and if you take my cattle…….”

The Sheriff interrupted him coldly, “would you keep your cattle and go free of the tax?”

“Show me how, sire,” said Scathelok eagerly.

“Report has it,” said the Sheriff, “that you gave aid to the outlaw and know of his whereabouts.”

There was silence. Defiantly Scathelok rose to his feet and folded his arms, then he took two paces back. In a rage the Sheriff wheeled his horse around.

“Bring him along!” He commanded to his men.

As the Sheriff angrily put his spurs into his horse and galloped off he did not notice a Palmer (a pilgrim from the Holy Land) watching him from the shadows of the trees.

10. Robin Is Outlawed

Alan A Dale wandered towards a group of townspeople in Nottingham Square and began singing:

“Now Robin, who was called Fitzooth,

Is dwelling in the wood;

His coat is changed to Lincoln Green,

His name to Robin Hood.”

He stopped outside the Inn and the local people gathered around the merry minstrel and listened with interest. With a resounding chord, he started the second verse.

“Oh, Robin Hood doth hunt the deer,

That in the woodland prance;

But oft-times shoots the Sheriff’s men

By sorrowful mischance……..”

“He had good cause,” muttered somebody in the crowd, “’tis known who killed his father.”

Alan A Dale nodded, but before he could start his third verse, he was drowned out by the arrival of a villainous looking forester.

“Hearken! Hearken!” He called. “Having been informed of the felonies, robberies and murders committed by the man known as Robin Hood, our Liege Lord, Prince John hereby pronounces upon Robin Hood, sentence of outlawry!”

The forester turned away and began to hammer the proclamation onto a wooden post.

“You must catch Robin Hood before you can hang him, said a townsman.

The forester growled but made no reply, and as the crowd surged round the new proclamation Alan A Dale whirled round and came back towards the crowd, his fingers busy with a tune that had, all at once, become sprightly and mocking. The minstrel sang softly:

“He robs the rich to help the poor,

A most unusual practice,

And now that he has been outlawed

He needn’t pay his taxes….”

The crowd seethed with laughter and the minstrel picked out a few steps of an intricate dance. Then leaving the townspeople in a high good humour, he went marching jauntily off singing the song that was as much part of him as the shape of his nose or the colour of his hair:

“I’ll sing a song, a rollicky song

As I roll along my way;

With a hey derry down and a derry die do

And a riddle de diddle de day…..”

9. Murder

Close behind came Maid Marian on horseback waving the golden arrow given to her by Robin. Then she was gone and the forest fell silent.

As they continued their journey they were soon following a narrow winding path beneath a thick canopy of Beech trees. Suddenly there was a ZIPP as an arrow hit Hugh Fitzooth in his back. The stout game keeper straightened up, violently choked, then fell forward. Robin bent over his father’s body, grasping at the arrow, but a second arrow, whizzing past his head, prevented him from helping his dying father. Stunned, Robin quickly dived behind a covering tree and waited, breathing hard.

Eventually, Robin cautiously peered around the trunk of the tree, to get a glimpse of his father’s assassin. There in a fork of a tree, he saw an archer in the black and yellow colours of the sheriff of Nottingham. Robin quickly let fly a shaft that thudded into Red Gill’s chest. The sheriff’s assassin swayed unsteadily then fell backwards, crashing to the ground.

Robin went over and stared down at the man that had murdered his father. But the sound of hoof beats, soon sent Robin quickly running through the forest to avoid the rest of the sheriff’s soldiers. The leader of the sheriff’s men reigned in his horse and looked down at the dead body of Red Gill. He then beckoned his men to follow Robin. But before darkness came, Robin Fitzooth was safely hidden in a cave, in the depths of Sherwood Forest.

Robin Sees His Father's Assasin

Robin Takes Shelter

8. The Cock Crows Too Loudly

“Hear me, good yeoman!” called De Lacy, the new Sheriff of Nottingham, as the archers began to leave the fair. “Would you eat and drink of the best? Then hear ye! Every man who hit the white at four score yards is free to take service with me.”

A few independent archers stopped in their tracks, undecided and turned towards Hugh Fitzooth.

“I’ll have high bows only,” the Sheriff went on, “twenty marks a man shall be your wage at Christmastide. What say you, good Fitzooth? Will you and your son change your coats?”
Robin’s father drew himself up and turned slowly to face the sheriff.

“In the old days I’d ha’ been proud to wear the king’s livery. But a forester in Sherwood nowadays is no better than a tax gatherer and a sheriff’s bully."

“Silence!” hissed the furious sheriff.

“Nay! I will not keep silent. It is time an honest man spoke out. Come lad!”

Hugh Fitzooth glared defiantly and strode away, followed by most of the independent archers.

Red Gill watched them go and turned to his master.

“What do you do, when the cock crows too loudly?” Said the sheriff nodding towards Hugh Fitzooth.

“Trim his comb,” replied Red Gill grinning unpleasantly.

Soon Robin and his father had left the town of Nottingham behind them and reached the outskirts of Sherwood Forest.

As they trudged on, they met the knights and mounted archers of the Royal cavalcade on its way to London. Hugh and Robin Fitzooth dropped gracefully to their knees as the Queen’s litter passed by.

7. Marian Presents The Prize

“Good bowman,” said Queen Eleanor, “step forward.”

“My lady paramount,” said Hugh Fitzooth, “I beg a favour, let the golden arrow be given to him whose arrow hit the mark first and no less truly than mine.”

“Well said yeoman,” said Queen Eleanor smiling her approval.

Robin hesitantly moved forward to receive the golden prize from the Queen, then stepped to the side to where Maid Marian sat and offered her the arrow.

“Your archery has vastly improved,” she said blushing slightly.

“There was no one, this time, to meddle with my target,” said Robin.
Marian laughed, “thank you Robin,” she said, “it will remind me of this day where ever I may go.”

“You leave Nottingham?” Robin asked.

“Today, replied Maid Marian. “I journey with the Queen to London.”

“God keep you!” Said Robin.

The Queen rose and Marian turned to attend her. Robin rejoined his father and Prince John lent over and began whispering to his new Sheriff of Nottingham.

6. Robin Splits The Arrow

There were three archers left, including Red Gill, in the service of the Sheriff.

“The crowd is not cheering your bowman, De Lacy,” said Prince John, giving him an awkward glance.

“My men have been gathering some small part of the new taxes, my lord,” he answered, “Red Gill will win for us.”

Red Gill stood by his marker peg and took aim, then sent an arrow that whizzed through the air and pierced the outer edge of the inner circle. There was a generous amount of applause for the Sheriff’s bully and he stood back and confidently said to Robin, “can your tuppenny bow do better than that my beardless whelp.”

Robin ignored him and quickly sent an arrow into the dead centre of the inner circle, sending a deafening din from the crowd.
“Forgive me sir,” said Robin to his father, “if beating this man, I have robbed you of your chance to win!”
“Lad, no man is beat till he admits it,” said Robin’s father.

Calmly Hugh Fitzooth put his toe to the marking peg and took aim, then let fly. TWANG! Hugh’s arrow had split Robin’s arrow down the middle. As the crowd roared, Red Gill slunk away.

5. The Archery Contest

The shooting match was held on the outskirts of Nottingham. The area was surrounded by long lines of stalls and booths, where groups of commoners were gathered, waiting for the contest to begin. The butts were roped off in a long green meadow where amongst a group of men, stood the minstrel Allan A Dale plucking his lute. His keen eyes espied a group of local archers whom he softly warned.

“Beware, O ye archers of Nottingham Fair,

Of our new Sheriff’s hirelings beware-oh,

Since they levy a tax on thy chattels elsewhere,

They may here tax thy bow and thine arrow.”

From miles around, sunburnt bowmen had gathered to shoot for the prize of a golden arrow to be presented by Queen Eleanor.

One by one the independent archers were beaten by the Sheriff’s men, until only Hugh Fitzooth and his son Robin remained to challenge De Lacy’s men.

“You have done well,” said Prince John to the Sheriff, as he watched from the Royal Box.
To the gasp of the many hundreds of spectators, the Marker called that the final match would be shot at a distance of six score yards.

“My Lords!” He called. The upshot is: Tepus out! Clifton Out! Adam of Leslie out!”

4. The Plans of Prince John

Prince John stood on the battlements of Nottingham Castle and watched as the Crusading army’s rearguard disappeared into the sunset.

“De Lacy!”

A bearded attendant stepped out of the shadows and stood alongside the king’s brother.

“My Prince?”

“Kings have died on Crusades,” Prince John murmured. “The Prince in the line of succession needs trustworthy men about him. How say you?”

“My lord,” replied the rather sullen faced De Lacy. “I am yours as the blade of my sword is to the hilt.”

“Good, You shall be my new Sheriff of Nottingham,” promised John as the two men stood together.

“As Sheriff,” the Prince went on, “you shall enforce the trespass laws in Sherwood Forest, not with Richard’s lenient hand, but to the very letter of those laws. For such a task we’ll need a larger force.”

“We’ll need an army,” the new sheriff amended quickly.

“Aye an army!” The Prince agreed, “an army of hard shooters, who can feather their arrows at nine score yards, should their prince so much as whisper his command.”

But De Lacy looked worried.

“Can your estates support so large a force?”

“There will be new taxes,” the Prince replied.

“My lord,” De Lacy said, “You have a kingly mind.”

Prince John smiled.

“Bestir yourself, I shall expect to see the finest bowman in the Kingdom wearing the sheriff’s livery.

“Give me but a fortnight Sir and I’ll have such men as you wish enlisted.”

“Good,” replied the Prince. “You shall show me what they can do at Nottingham Fair.

3. Marian Meets Queen Eleanor

Surrounded by their escort, the Earl of Huntingdon and his daughter crossed the drawbridge of Nottingham Castle and rode into the crowded yard. As they entered the Great Hall they were just in time to see King Richard leaving the Council Chamber with his mother Queen Eleanor and his brother Prince John. Alongside them was the Archbishop of Canterbury and many of the most powerful barons in England.

The King smiled as he saw Marian’s father.
“Welcome Huntingdon!” He cried. “Now truly we can say that the bravest of our realm are gathered here.”
“God make us worthy of your trust sire,” said the earl as he bowed gracefully to the king and his mother.
“Sire,” continued the earl, “ I have a boon to ask the Queen your mother.”
King Richard nodded graciously.
“I pray you madam,” he asked, “ take my daughter into your house hold until my return.”
“Come here child,” said Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine.
Marian approached them timidly and dropped to her knees to kiss the Queen’s hand.
“What is your name, child?” The Queen asked.
“Marian,” said the girl.
“A sweet and gentle name,” the Queen reflected, “ does your nature match it?”
“If it pleases the Queen,” replied Marian in a whisper.
The Queen looked carefully for a few moments into the girl’s face and then answered, “I will have her!”

Marian’s father bowed gratefully as the royal family moved to the outer door. But then they all stopped as the Sheriff of Nottingham went down on one knee.
“My Lord King,” he said, “I too would beg a boon. My men and I would follow our king across the seas.”
The Sheriff looked up nervously as King Richard hesitated.
“Find a new sheriff for Nottingham,” the king said to his brother John, “and men to serve him.”

“God save King Richard!” chanted the assembled knights.

“My Lord Archbishop of Canterbury,” said King Richard as they went down the castle steps, “We ask a blessing on this most holy enterprise.”

Heads bowed as the Archbishops of Canterbury and York blessed the many armed soldiers gathered in and beyond the castle walls. Then King Richard drew his sword and kissed the hilt. “To horse!” he cried. “Advance my banner! God wills it!”

With the sound of trumpets the great cavalcade began winding its way along the dusty road. Someone began singing a marching song and soon the whole army seemed to be singing along as the great Crusade left Nottingham Castle.

2. Robin and Marian

“What ails ye ?”

Hugh Fitzooth, gamekeeper to the Earl stared at the flustered old nurse.

“Master Fitzooth….” gasped the woman breathlessly, as she faced the grizzled, kindly keen-eyed man with the longbow slung across his shoulder and two large greyhounds by his side. “I seek the Maid. Where is that harum-scarum son of yours?”

“She is not with Robin,” came the reply. My lad is yonder drawing his bow against a willow wand.”

“Find one bad penny and you’ll find two! Snapped Tyb crossly. “I bid you good day, Master Fitzooth!” And curtsying, she hastened off towards young Robin Fitzooth amongst the trees in the distance, still crossly calling, “Marian…Marian!”

It was, indeed to bad that, after decking and adorning her charge like a daffodil so that Queen Eleanor would be certain to give the maid a place in her household, poor Tyb should have to go seeking Maid Marian in this way.

Yet it looked like Hugh Fitzooth was right, Robin seemed alone as he planted his feet firmly, drew back his bow and let fly an arrow towards the four foot willow wand. WHIZZZZZ! But the arrow missed its target for the third time and quite suddenly, the archer knew he was not alone, that hidden behind a tree, a girls hand holding a stick had gently pushed the target each time the marksman had shot.

“Ah!” exclaimed Robin as he made a sudden darting movement towards Marians hiding place. “So that is why my aim is not so true, eh?”

A merry laugh answered him.

“Did you miss the mark again poor fellow?” Maid Marian teased.

The couple dodged between the trees, but Robin caught his foot on a root and rather embarrassingly tumbled down.

The old nurse then arrived through the grove of trees. “Marian saints above!” She exclaimed in horror.

“Now look at you. My Lord Earl waiting and here you are grovelling in the dirt. A lady old enough to serve the Queen is old enough to act like a lady.”

Marian noticed the expression on Robin’s face and drew herself up stiffly, then replied, “inform the Earl, my dear Lord and Father, that I will attend him presently. You have my leave to go!”

The old nurse was taken by surprise, but gave a little bobbing curtsey, then went off shaking her head. Robin chuckled and as Marion made her way towards the manor house she turned and called, “farewell old clod-hopper!”

1. Huntingdon Manor

It was the year 1190 and the manor house of the Earl of Huntingdon was filled with bustle and activity. Pages scurried and servants dashed hither and thither to prepare for the departure of the Earl of Huntingdon for Nottingham. It was there that he was to join King Richard on a Crusade to free the Holy Land.

“Is everything ready?” The Earl asked his steward, as he scanned the courtyard with a knowledgeable gaze.

“Yes sire,” was the stewards reply as he gave his master a stirrup cup. But suddenly they were interrupted by an old nurse who came clattering down the steps.

“Marian!” The old woman called, “Marian!”

“Is our daughter not yet ready to leave?” Asked the Earl frowning.

“Aye sire,” Nurse Tyb replied breathlessly, “ready and decked and adorned like any daffadowndilly. So fine she is, sire, there will none to compare. The Queen will take her and gladly.”

“Go quickly good Tyb and find her!” Said the Earl. “Unless we leave in an hour I’ll miss the King at Nottingham.”

Nurse Tyb raised her hands in desperation and went off muttering across the courtyard.

“Marian……..Mar-i-an!” She called in her shrill voice as she nearly collided with a tall bearded man in the gateway.

This is the tale of Robin Hood

"O, I'll sing a song, a rollicky song,
As, I roll along my way,
With a hey derry die 'n' a derry die do
And a riddle de diddle de day!

This is the tale of Robin Hood,
And of his merry men,
His like you are not like to see,
In all the world again."