Above is yet another poster advertising Walt Disney’s live-action movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men. This one is Spanish and may be from the year of the movie’s first release in 1952, as Peter Finch does not appear in the billing.
The King's Great Way Through Sherwood Forest
The Sherwood Forest of the ‘Robin Hood films’ and novels, is nearly always a deserted, dense and impenetrable woodland, that sprawled across the county of Nottinghamshire as far north as Yorkshire. But in reality there were people in ‘the woodland belonging to the shire’ making a living. Expanding forest settlements often marked by the name of ‘Woodhouse’, such as Mansfield Woodhouse, Annesley Woodhouse and Kirkby Woodhouse existed within its boundaries. Woodland clearance in Sherwood started as early as prehistoric times and huge religious estates took over considerable areas of Sherwood, which was mainly used by the new monastic orders for farming and grazing sheep and cattle.
So the country side of medieval Sherwood Forest was probably a mixture of areas of oak and birch woodland interspersed with large and small areas of heathland, studded with gorse, heather and rough grassland. This was the landscape Robin Hood would have recognised. Place names that incorporate ‘feld’ such as Mansfield, Ashfield and Farnsfield possibly indicate that it had been open country from a very early date.
So the country side of medieval Sherwood Forest was probably a mixture of areas of oak and birch woodland interspersed with large and small areas of heathland, studded with gorse, heather and rough grassland. This was the landscape Robin Hood would have recognised. Place names that incorporate ‘feld’ such as Mansfield, Ashfield and Farnsfield possibly indicate that it had been open country from a very early date.
Cleared woodland in Sherwood Forest
The term ‘forest’, was a legal term in the medieval period. It meant an area which was subject to special laws designed to protect the animals, such as red, roe and fallow deer and wild boar, all conserved for the king to hunt. The vast open spaces of Sherwood made it ideal to be set aside as a royal hunting forest for the sport of Norman monarchs.
King John hunting in the Royal Forest
Powerful kings like Henry II extended Sherwood, but by the death of King John it had been considerably reduced. In 1218 the boundaries of the royal forest were clearly defined for the first time. There were changes during the Middle Ages, for instance in 1232, the area south from Oxton to Lowdham and the River Trent was included. But for most of the medieval period the 1218 boundary remained constant (see map below).
I have been interested in discovering the medieval routes through Sherwood for quite a long time. In particular, the original route of the major medieval highway known as ‘The King’s Great Way', which has been a subject of much speculation. But it wasn’t until Albie joined our merry band that I was able to use his invaluable experience and knowledge to help me. Week after week Albie cycled along the paths of Sherwood and posted back information to me that he had discovered. I am extremely grateful for his tireless and very thorough research that has helped piece together a fascinating part of Sherwood’s and Nottinghamshire’s ancient history.
Albie says:
“The Kings Great Way was also known as the Kings Great Highway, the King's Way and King's Way to Blyth amongst others. It was the original Great North Road after the old Roman one fell out of favour. The Roman road was Ermine Street which ran from London, Cambridge, Lincoln and hence on to York. From Lincoln the road ran north and crossed the Humber via a ferry before heading to York. There was a branch a few miles north of Lincoln which took a route across the Trent at Littleborough, on to Doncaster, north to Selby and then up to York. This was to avoid the ferry in bad weather. This was some distance away to the east from the current North Road and fell much in to disuse once the Romans left.
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The King's Great Way
The King's Great Way that interests us was probably prehistoric in origin. It may have followed what is now the A5 out of London to St. Albans then followed roughly the current A6 towards Leicester. It entered Nottinghamshire at Rempstone on the same route as the current A60 and onwards to Nottingham. It then headed north and followed the route of the A614 to somewhere near Farnsfield whereby it took a more easterly route towards Bilsthorpe, and then to the east of Rufford brushing by the west edge of Wellow. It then tracked north east a short distance, brushing through Wellow Park, then swung north passing to the west of Walesby and onwards towards the current A614 and Blyth.”
I have recently discovered that Robert Thoroton alludes to it in his ‘History of Nottingham’ (1797) when he describes: ' .........and from thence by the great way from Blyth to Cuningswath Ford, and so on, the west part of the town of Wellow. And from thence by the great way which leads from Nottingham unto Blackstone Hew.’
This 'Cuningswath' was known as Konigswath (Saxon for the King's Ford) at the time this route was popular, and today known as Conjure Alders.
The Domesday Book also mentions the ‘King’s Road’:
“In Nottingham the River Trent and the dyke and the road to York are so protected that if anyone hinders the passage of ships or anyone ploughs or makes a ditch within two perches of the ‘King’s Road’ he has to pay a fine of £8.”
(Winchester 1086).
Albie continues:
“This became the favoured route in Saxon times with some minor deviations likely, until the 1200's or so. At this point a slightly more direct route became favoured to the west forming what is basically the current A60. The start of this deviation would have been close to where the current A60/614 spilt at Redhill Island today. This 'new' Great Highway passed close to Bestwood Lodge and park, through the village of Papplewick, close to Newstead Priory and on to Mansfield. It went through Cuckney, past Welbeck Abbey and onwards to Worksop (passing near the Priory) where it joined an ancient Roman road which entered the county near Sutton-in-Ashfield and continued up to Bawtry. I suppose the route may have offered more comfort from the 1300's onwards (see map below) for travellers that were passing through due to the Priories and towns offering lodgings.
It was also at the time that the Great North Road (see map below)started to gain in popularity passing close to the current A1 route. It entered the county to the east at Balderton and into Newark. From there it crossed the marshes near the Trent before snaking north to Tuxford. From there it went on a route slightly to the east of the current A1 (it completely bypassed Retford until 1776 believe it or not!) through to Barnby Moor before meeting the King's Great Highway at Bawtry.
All three routes were being used until the 17th century whereby the 'old' Kings highway became much less important, and to a lesser extent the 'new' Highway. It was at this point that the Savile's (of Rufford Abbey) moved the route of the 'old' Highway so that it missed Wellow and its Park. This would move the road a little nearer to the dry soil on the edge of Sherwood as Wellow is on a clay marl soil and more prone to being water-logged in bad weather (the change from sand to clay soil can be seen here in Walesby).
At some stage in the 1700's the 'old' Highway was moved again taking its route to the west of Rufford more or less along the current A614 route of today. I presume it was turnpiked although there don't seem to be any of the typical gatehouses along the route today (though there is one up at Blyth and the Rose Cottage pub opposite Rufford Park gates could have been one).
By this time the Great North Road was the major route to York and Edinburgh beyond. Traffic volumes on the old and new King's Highways would be fairly low (except local traffic) until the age of the car and metalled roads early in the last century.
The common factor of all these roads is that they all seem to converge on Bawtry. This was the point where the roads entered Yorkshire and higher (drier) ground beyond. In medieval times the traveller heading south had a choice of routes at this point. Much must have depended on whether they had business in Nottingham (on the riskier Sherwood route) or a direct journey to London and the south. The Sherwood routes were still renowned for being dangerous due to highwaymen into the 1700's.”
(Albie.)
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Above is a detailed map of the Royal Forest of Sherwood, showings its medieval boundaries in 1218, 1232 and 1600. Thanks to Albie's fantastic research I can now include the routes of The King’s Great Way in the 1200’s and later 1300’s. We can now see those routes, that monarchs, knights, merchants and travellers would have taken ( rather nervously) through Sherwood Forest, on their way either to London or York.
I have recently discovered that Robert Thoroton alludes to it in his ‘History of Nottingham’ (1797) when he describes: ' .........and from thence by the great way from Blyth to Cuningswath Ford, and so on, the west part of the town of Wellow. And from thence by the great way which leads from Nottingham unto Blackstone Hew.’
This 'Cuningswath' was known as Konigswath (Saxon for the King's Ford) at the time this route was popular, and today known as Conjure Alders.
The Domesday Book also mentions the ‘King’s Road’:
“In Nottingham the River Trent and the dyke and the road to York are so protected that if anyone hinders the passage of ships or anyone ploughs or makes a ditch within two perches of the ‘King’s Road’ he has to pay a fine of £8.”
(Winchester 1086).
Albie continues:
“This became the favoured route in Saxon times with some minor deviations likely, until the 1200's or so. At this point a slightly more direct route became favoured to the west forming what is basically the current A60. The start of this deviation would have been close to where the current A60/614 spilt at Redhill Island today. This 'new' Great Highway passed close to Bestwood Lodge and park, through the village of Papplewick, close to Newstead Priory and on to Mansfield. It went through Cuckney, past Welbeck Abbey and onwards to Worksop (passing near the Priory) where it joined an ancient Roman road which entered the county near Sutton-in-Ashfield and continued up to Bawtry. I suppose the route may have offered more comfort from the 1300's onwards (see map below) for travellers that were passing through due to the Priories and towns offering lodgings.
It was also at the time that the Great North Road (see map below)started to gain in popularity passing close to the current A1 route. It entered the county to the east at Balderton and into Newark. From there it crossed the marshes near the Trent before snaking north to Tuxford. From there it went on a route slightly to the east of the current A1 (it completely bypassed Retford until 1776 believe it or not!) through to Barnby Moor before meeting the King's Great Highway at Bawtry.
All three routes were being used until the 17th century whereby the 'old' Kings highway became much less important, and to a lesser extent the 'new' Highway. It was at this point that the Savile's (of Rufford Abbey) moved the route of the 'old' Highway so that it missed Wellow and its Park. This would move the road a little nearer to the dry soil on the edge of Sherwood as Wellow is on a clay marl soil and more prone to being water-logged in bad weather (the change from sand to clay soil can be seen here in Walesby).
At some stage in the 1700's the 'old' Highway was moved again taking its route to the west of Rufford more or less along the current A614 route of today. I presume it was turnpiked although there don't seem to be any of the typical gatehouses along the route today (though there is one up at Blyth and the Rose Cottage pub opposite Rufford Park gates could have been one).
By this time the Great North Road was the major route to York and Edinburgh beyond. Traffic volumes on the old and new King's Highways would be fairly low (except local traffic) until the age of the car and metalled roads early in the last century.
The common factor of all these roads is that they all seem to converge on Bawtry. This was the point where the roads entered Yorkshire and higher (drier) ground beyond. In medieval times the traveller heading south had a choice of routes at this point. Much must have depended on whether they had business in Nottingham (on the riskier Sherwood route) or a direct journey to London and the south. The Sherwood routes were still renowned for being dangerous due to highwaymen into the 1700's.”
(Albie.)
Sherwood's medieval boundaries and the King's Great Way in c.1200 and c.1300
Above is a detailed map of the Royal Forest of Sherwood, showings its medieval boundaries in 1218, 1232 and 1600. Thanks to Albie's fantastic research I can now include the routes of The King’s Great Way in the 1200’s and later 1300’s. We can now see those routes, that monarchs, knights, merchants and travellers would have taken ( rather nervously) through Sherwood Forest, on their way either to London or York.
Picture Strip 32 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood
I am sure, like me, you are eager to read part 32 of Laurence’s fabulous picture strip of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).
If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.
Please click here to see previous pages of the picture strip.
Louise Hampton
Louise Hampton as Tyb
Louise Hampton only appeared in the opening scenes of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood (1952) as Maid Marian’s comical nurse, Tyb. This traditional character has her roots in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, when the Nurse provides not only comic relief during the play but is also Juliet’s faithful confidante. This formula was used to great comedic affect again in Warner Brothers ‘Adventures of Robin Hood’ (1938) when Una O’Connor played Marian’s nurse, Bess.
Sadly I can find very little about the life of Louise Hampton, other than what is mainly on IMDb. It states that Louise was born in Stockport, Cheshire in 1877. She was a obviously a very accomplished actress and during her long career appeared in three of my all-time favourite films, ‘Scrooge’(1951) alongside Alistair Sim, ‘Goodbye Mr Chips’ (1939) as Mrs Wicket and of course the 'Story of Robin Hood ' (1952).
Louise Hampton in 'Goodbye Mr Chips' (1939)
Her movie debut was in 1911, it was a silent thriller called ‘Driving a Girl to Destruction’ and after a long interlude she was back on the silver screen in ‘Brown Sugar’ (1922) and ‘The Eleventh Commandment’ (1924).
It is said that Louise looked upon film making as a secondary importance. It was the stage that was her first love and where she gained her most success. From September 7th, 1922 to the end of February 1923 she acted in Rudolf Besier and May Edginton's play, ‘Secrets,’ at the Comedy Theatre in London. The cast also included Fay Compton, Doris Mansell, Fabia Drake, Bobbie Andrews, Cecil Trouncer and Ian Fleming.
In 1933 she appeared in the play, 'The Late Christopher Bean,' at the St. James' Theatre in London, with Edith Evans and Cedric Hardwick.
But by this time motion pictures were being made with sound and Louise’s’ first ‘talky’ was ‘Nine Till Six’ in 1932. After this she made a whole string of movies, including ‘Tobias and the Angel' (1938), ‘The Silver Box’ (1939) 'Sheppey' (1939) ‘Goodbye, Mr. Chips’ (1939), ‘His Lordship Goes to Press’ (1939), ‘Castle of Crimes’ (1940), ‘Busman’s Holiday’ (1940) ‘The Middle Watch' (1940) and ‘The Saint Meets the Tiger’ (1941).
During February 1935 and April 1936 Louise appeared in the play, ‘Lady Precious Stream,’ at the Little Theatre in John Street, London. In 1938 she also acted in ‘Babes in the Wood' at the Embassy Theatre in London, with Angela Baddeley, Alexander Knox, Ellen Pollock, and Richard Caldicot.
A year later, along with making a host of movies, Louise was treading the boards again in Carel Kapek’s play, ‘The Mother’ at the Garrick Theatre in London. It was directed by Miles Malleson and had Nigel Stock in the cast.
Her later movies included 'Bedelia' (1946), ‘The Gentle Gunman’ (1950), ‘Files From Scotland Yard’ (1951), ‘Scrooge’ (1951), ‘The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men’ (as Tyb) (1952), ‘The Oracle’, (1953) and ‘Background' (1953).
Louise passed away on 11th February 1954 aged 76. She was married to Edward Thane.
If you have any more information on the life of Louise Hampton, please get in touch at disneysrobin@googlemail.com. I would be pleased to hear from you.
Robin Hood Flour Promotion
This beautifully illustrated poster was yet another of the many promotions for Walt Disney’s live-action movie the ‘Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men’ (1952).
Included in the promotion of the film were three (?) giveaway small comic books, 7.25 inches tall x 5 inches wide and printed by Western Publishing. The first free comic was ‘The Miller’s Ransom,’ followed by the ‘Ghosts of Waylea Castle', the third is sadly unknown. The comics were written by Don Christensen and illustrated by Tony Sgroi and Russ Manning.
Included in the promotion of the film were three (?) giveaway small comic books, 7.25 inches tall x 5 inches wide and printed by Western Publishing. The first free comic was ‘The Miller’s Ransom,’ followed by the ‘Ghosts of Waylea Castle', the third is sadly unknown. The comics were written by Don Christensen and illustrated by Tony Sgroi and Russ Manning.
‘Robin Hood Flour' was founded in 1900 by Donald Mclean in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, in western Canada. In 1909 the mill was taken over by Francis Atherton Bean of Minneapolis and within two years it was producing over 1,600 barrels of flour a day.
Using the green and red ‘archer’ emblem as a sign of good value and respectability, Robin Hood Flour and its recipes have remained popular for over a century. In the late 50’s and early 1960’s the company even used a jingle made from the theme tune of the classic TV series ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood.’
Sherwood's Forgotten Ancient Chapel
I recently received a ‘whistling arrow’ from Albie in Sherwood Forest. The note attached asked if I was aware of ‘Edwin’s Chapel’ on an old track at the southern edge of the Sherwood Visitors Centre, halfway between Edwinstowe and Warsop. I must say I had never heard of it and was extremely keen to research its history.
Born in 584, Edwin was the most powerful king among the Anglo-Saxons, ruling Bernicia (Northumberland and Durham), Deira (modern day Yorkshire) and much of eastern Mercia, the Isle of Man and Anglesey. Initially a pagan, he lived at a time when the country was converting to Christianity in two very diverse ways - Celtic from the influence of Columba in Ireland and the north and Roman following the Augustine mission from Rome to Kent. He became the first Christian king of Northumbria and the most powerful ruler in England.
Edwin was baptized by Saint Paulinus at York at Easter in the year 627, on the site of the present York Minster, in the wooden church of St. Peter which he had founded. He was a man of unusual wisdom and under him the law was so respected, that it became, as the Venerable Bede attests, "A woman might travel through the island with a babe at her breast without fear of insult".
King Edwin married Ethelburga, daughter of St. Ethelbert, King of Kent after promising to allow her to practice her Christian religion. When Queen Ethelburg gave birth to a daughter, she was baptized with twelve others by St. Paulinus on Whitsunday, and called Eanfleda.
On 12 October, 633, King Edwin was slain and his army defeated at The Battle of Heathfield near Cuckney (or possibly further north near Doncaster). He was repelling an attack made on him by Penda, the pagan King of Mercia, who, together with the Welsh prince Cadwallon ap Cadfan, a Christian only in name, had invaded his dominion. Perishing in conflict with pagans, Edwin became regarded as a martyr. He had reigned seventeen years.
Legend has it that King Edwin's Northumbrian followers carried the body of their king from the battlefield to a clearing in Sherwood Forest so that his enemies did not steal it. His body was decapitated; they took the head of their monarch back to York, where it was buried in his newly founded St Peter's Cathedral and his body was interred at Whitby Abbey.
Edwin was revered as a saint, his feast day for obvious reasons became October 12th and his shrine in York became a place of pilgrimage.
The place where his body had lain became hallowed ground. A small wooden chapel was built on the spot and Edwinstowe -- or ‘Edwin’s resting-place’ -- was born.
There is no existing historical evidence of the foundation of ‘Edwin’s Chantry Chapel’ in Sherwood Forest. But it once stood approximately 250 metres to the east on the side of the old road leading from Edwinstowe to Warsop. The earliest known record is the bestowal, by King John, of the annual stipend of forty shillings in support of the chantry hermit who ‘sang in St. Edwin's Chapel in the Hay of Birchwude, to celebrate service for his soul and those of his ancestors.’
From this time and up until 1548 numerous bequests were bestowed and later the chapel is described as consisting of a ‘parler’ (living chamber) and a chapel. The Sheriff of Nottingham continued to pay over the stripend until it was confiscated during the reign of Edward VI. Royal Commissioners under Henry VIII then took away everything of value, including the church plate and the building was allowed to fall into ruin. But Survey maps show the chapel’s existence in 1610, and 1630.
The site was re-discovered in 1911 after research by the vicar of Edwinstowe and a William Stevenson. They managed to recover and identify some of the chapel’s original building stones and place them in a cairn. A memorial cross was then placed amongst the stones with a tribute from Arthur, Sixth Duke of Portland.
I would like to thank Albie for bringing the history of the chapel to my attention and supplying the excellent photographs.
Who Was Your Favourite Robin Hood ?
For quite a while this survey has appeared on my blog and I feel it’s now time to reveal the winner! I have had 395 people take part in this poll and the winner with 96 votes is Michael Praed of the 80’s TV series ‘Robin of Sherwood.’ In second place with 86 votes was Errol Flynn in the classic Hollywood movie the ‘Adventures of Robin Hood.’ Jonas Armstrong’s portrayal of the outlaw in the recent BBC series earned him third place with 68 votes.
Our Richard Todd who appeared in Disney’s live action masterpiece received 45 votes which gave him fourth place. From the golden age of television, Richard Greene’s Robin Hood was given 38 votes and Russell Crowe’s most recent depiction gained him 19 votes. Kevin Costner’s 'Prince of Thieves' reached seventh place with 11 votes.
Eighth and just ahead of his father is Jason Connery who took over from Michael Praed in 'Robin of Sherwood'. Sean Connery is ninth with his portrayal of an old Robin Hood with 7 votes and in those green tights and with 6 votes is Cary Elwes, from Mel Brooks’s hilarious movie.
One of the most underrated versions of the legend featured Patrick Bergin as the outlaw, and he received 3 votes. Cornel Wilde, Barrie Ingham and Martin Potter just got 2 votes each and John Derek and Matthew Porretta had one apiece. From the silent era of Hollywood, Douglas Fairbanks sadly never got a vote.
Thanks to everyone who took part in this poll and I hope you found the result as interesting as I did. Look out for the next survey which will be on your favourite Maid Marian of all time!
Michael Praed the 'Favourite Robin Hood'
James Cagney as Robin Hood!
Above is an extremely rare, undated picture of the Hollywood movie star James Cagney taken at an Archery Competition, staged to promote what would later become the movie, The Adventures of Robin Hood, released in1938. Incredibly it was James Cagney who was considered for the role of Robin Hood before Errol Flynn!
Also in the picture, awarding the winner, is Basil Rathbone (later Sir Guy of Gisborne) and the famous archer Howard Hill, who became Errol Flynn’s instructor on the use of the longbow. Hill also made all of the stunt body shots, the splitting of the arrow shot at the Archery Tournament, and he played the Captain of the Archers in the movie. This photo was one of several photos given by Howard Hill to his niece, Lorain Hill.
So why did James Cagney get chosen to play Robin Hood by Warner Brothers?
In Hollywood during the mid 1930’s, the ‘Motion Picture Production Code of Ethics’ was being enforced a lot stronger than before. Like many film studios of that time, Warner Brothers had to improve their image and output. So they decided to expand their horizons and move away from the steady stream of violent gangster movies that they had become renown for, and explore more prestigious areas.
Warner Brothers decided upon producing Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ using their stock company of actors and actresses, which included Olivia de Havilland, Ian Hunter, Anita Louise and James Cagney.
Dwight Franklin (1888-1971) at the time was Warmer’s historical advisor and costume designer on ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ It was he who sent a memo to Jack Warner suggesting making a movie about Robin Hood, with James Cagney as the outlaw, Anita Louise as Maid Marian and Hugh Herbert as Friar Tuck. He also had the idea of using the usual Warner Brothers ‘gangster cronies,’ Frank McHugh, Allen Jenkins, Hugh Herbert and Ross Alexander as the ‘Merry Men!’
Jack Warner was quite keen on the idea and went ahead with pre-production plans. James Cagney, who had been asking for ‘non-gangster roles’ was drafted in and producer Hal B Wallis hired English screenwriter Rowland Leigh to prepare a script for Cagney as Robin.
But Cagney, who was then a vice-president of the newly formed Screen Actors Guild, had made five movies in 1934, against his contract terms, which forced him to bring legal proceedings against Jack Warner. He had also complained about his ‘journeyman salary’ and the factory like conditions.
During his career, Cagney had walked out on several occasions before, but three months into the making of Robin Hood he walked off the lot in a tremendous rage, placed himself under suspension and never returned.
Meanwhile ‘Captain Blood’ had been released with huge success making a new and up and coming star out of 27year old Errol Flynn who had replaced Robert Donat in the role. Cagney was forgotten about and the rest is part of Hollywood’s golden history!
Picture Strip 31 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood
Part 31 of Laurence's very popular picture strip of Walt Disney's original movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).
To see previous pages of the picture strip, please click here: Picture Strip.
If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.
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