Robin Hood

In British legend, Robin Hood was a medieval English gentelman (otherwise known as Robin of Locksley) who according to some legends, dwelt, and was buried, in the county of Yorkshire. Other ballads refer to Robin having lived in Nottinghamshire. Rivalry between the two counties over Robin is strong, with most modern representations of the legends placing him in Nottinghamshire, but most of the scarce historical evidence supporting Yorkshires claim.

He has connections with Sherwood (Shire Wood) Forest and the Sheriff of Nottingham, who for some time would also have had authority over the Forest of Barnsdale in South Yorkshire. With his band of "merry men" in Sherwood Forest he is said to have "stolen from the rich to give to the poor", and became a folk hero. One legend maintians he is buried at Kirklees, selecting his burial place by the shooting of an arrow. It is now a Metropolitan District.

Historians are divided in their opinion as to whether he actually existed or not, or if so, in which century. It is likely that the legends are based around the actions of more than one mediaeval outlaw which would explain why it is difficult to assign Robin to one specific era. Dates given range from the time of King John in the 12th century, to that of King Edward II in the 14th century.