Robin Hood
Robin Hood (otherwise known as Robin of Locksley) was a medieval English folk hero, who dwelt, and was buried, according to differing accounts, in either the county of Yorkshire or of Nottinghamshire. Rivalry between the two counties over the possession Robin is strong, with most modern representations of the legends placing him in Nottinghamshire, but most of the scarce historical evidence supporting Yorkshire's claim. In fact, Sherwood (Shire Wood) Forest, Robin's base of operations, at the time stretched unbroken over much of both counties, and the Sheriff of Nottingham who features prominently in the tales, would also have had authority over the Forest of Barnsdale in South Yorkshire. One legend maintains he is buried at Kirklees, now a highly populated Metropolitan District, having selected his burial place by the shooting of an arrow.
Historians are divided in their opinion as to whether he actually existed or not, or if so, in which century, though he is first mentioned in the thirteenth century [1]. 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 twelfth century, to that of King Edward II in the fourteenth.
Two places named for him are Robin Hood's Bay, in North Yorkshire, [2] and Robin Hood's Cave, in Nottinghamshire, an important archaelogical site, and the most northerly place known to have Neanderthal remains [3].
Modern Representation
Modern retellings of the legend have idealised Robin Hood somewhat, depicting him with his band of "merry men" in Sherwood Forest, he is said to have "stolen from the rich to give to the poor".
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) was a Hollywood film version of his adventures, starring Errol Flynn, and numerous other film and television adaptations of his life have also been made, including a musical and a Disney animated version with a cast of animals.