Rating: 
Summary: A Very Good Take on a Legendary Tale
Review: The author Roger Lancelyn Green wrote this novel in 1956 after bringing together all of the best of the old ballads, romances, and plays about Robin Hood. He then does a good job of putting all of these legends into chronological order, and doing a lot of editing to make them his own. This must have been a very difficult task, to which I give him credit. At times however some of the stories seem very bland as if he was just listing off facts about the main characters, rather than adding any soul or additional emotion to the story himself. It seems as if he was bored with the early stories when Robin was putting his band of merry men together, and so he just kind of rushes through them as a formality to get to the stories beyond. I'm sure Green has heard those early stories about when Robin Hood meets Little John, Friar Tuck, and Much the Miller's son a million times himself, so it seems as if he assumed everybody else had already heard them as well. Green is also weary about treading upon parts of the story that were already better covered in other novels such as Sir Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe". I was actually looking forward to seeing a new perspective on some of the characters from "Ivanhoe" from Robin's perspective, but Green just introduces them and then jumps to the end of the chapter saying that this part of the story is all better covered elsewhere. If I hadn't already read "Ivanhoe" I might have been a little more perturbed at that point. In the later stories to his further credit however he puts his heart more into the tales and the change in writing style is evident. While all the previous stories and movies on Robin Hood that I have heard of end when King Richard I returns to England and Robin and Marian are married, this one at least adds some new perspective by continuing the saga into Robin's later years.
The general story goes that while King Richard the Lionhearted was off fighting in the crusade to free Jerusalem from the Saracens during 1189, he had left the Bishop of Ely to rule England in his absence. Once Richard left however, his wicked brother Prince John accused the Bishop of treason and forced him to flee for his life. John then took over as interim ruler of England hoping that his brother would never return. Prince John and his followers were said to be cruel men. The Prince accused all men of treason who did not stand by him and took their lands and turned them over to his own supporters. Robert Fitzooth, the Earl of Huntingdon was one of King Richard's most faithful followers. He knew John was usurping his authority and longed for Richard's return. Under the guise of Robin Hood he begins helping those in need who were being oppressed under Prince John's tyranny. He started to develop a reputation and a following. A bounty was then put up for Robin Hood's capture, and Fitzooth is betrayed by one of his own men named Wormin (it seems every character I've ever heard of with "Worm" in their name winds up being a traitor, like "Wormtail" in the Lord of the Rings for instance.) Wormin reports the Earl's traitorous opinions to Prince John and the Sherrif of Nottingham. By this time they had already begun to suspect Fitzooth of being Robin Hood. Under Prince John's orders the sheriff shows up at the Earl's wedding to the Lady Marian Fitzwalter, and declares him an outlaw, and his estate is confiscated and turned over to Guy of Gisborne who is one of John's supporters. On this day Robert Fitzooth reveals that he really is Robin Hood an vows that he will not marry Marian until Richard the true King of England returns and that his title and lands are restored. Robin then flees into the woods of Sherwood with several of his men to hide. Marian soon joins him there and goes by the name of Maid Marian until they are wed. As outlaws they survive by hunting the king's deer. Robin's legend then grows as does his followers as he then begins to "rob from the rich to give to the poor". He and his men take to highway robbery. They never however harm a women or steal from an honest or poor man. Most of the men who Robin winds up taking money from turn out to be from the clergy who ironically are the least honest of all. King Richard hearing of the uprisings back in England, tries to return to put things back in order, but on his way he is taken captive in a foreign land and held for ransom. Prince John refuses to pay the ransom, since the last thing he wants is for Richard to return, so Robin Hood and his men start to raise the ransom themselves.
No matter how stated, the story of Robin Hood is legend. In his introduction to the book, Green says that the stories are not confined to any actual history, or geography however. Most, including this novel place the Robin Hood stories at the time of King Richard I, but others have placed it in the time of one of the Edwards, and that one even placed it in the time of King Henry VIII. Sherwood forest also can not be found on any map. Robin himself appears to go by many aliases. He is Robert Fitzooth, known as Robert Earl of Huntingdon, Esquire of Locksly, also known as Robin Hood. Robin seems to get into a fight with almost everyone he meets. He tests their mettle with feats of strength or agility, and if they pass his test he asks them to join his band. Robin is very good at everything, but he is not the best fighter with his fists, a sword, or with a quarter staff, but where he excels all others is with his feats with the long bow. Robin is the best archer in the land, and he displays this throughout the book in more than one challenge.
The other characters are classics as well, and are all well represented. There is William Scathlock, also know as William Scarlett, who is Robin's second in command. John Little, also know as Little John, who is very good with the quarter staff. Brother Michael, also known as Friar Tuck, who is Little John's cousin and is also very good with a quarter staff as well. Then of course there is the Lady Marian Fitzwalter, also know as Maid Marian, who surprisingly is given very modern feminist qualities. She's a better archer than most of the men and isn't too bad with the sword either. In one scene she takes on four of five of Prince John's men herself for a while. I also learned of a few other characters who's stories I hadn't heard before, but were just as entertaining. One of these was George-a-Green, the Piner of Wakefield who's feats for a while were almost more well renown even than Robin's himself. George's lady Bettris was also said to be even more beautiful than the Maid Marian and this made Marian jealous. In one very good chapter Robin and Marian set out to meet George and Bettris to find out the truth, and eventually they all become very good friends. There is also a story of a young minstrel named Allin-a-Dale who Robin assists in winning back his beloved. He also helps the noble Knight Sir Richard of Legh who was a big King Richard supporter from having his land taken from him by the church. To help pay back their debt, several times throughout the story Sir Richard and Allin-a-Dale repay the favor by helping to hide Robin when the Prince or sheriff's men are hunting him.
I believe the tale of Robin Hood is an original, but I can see it's influences in other classics such as the obvious "Ivanhoe", but also in "The Curse of Capistrano (which became the Mark of Zorro)", "The Count of Monte Cristo", and "The Three Musketeers".
A good book, but I'd be interested in a seeing a modern version that can improve upon the achievements that Green has done with this story by adding a little more life to the retelling. The illustrations by Walter Crane however were very good and added to the story.
Rating: 
Summary: A Book Good Enough to Eat
Review: This book had included the beginning of how Robin Hood had come to be and how the legend of Robin Hood had ended. This was by far the best Robin Hood book that I've ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Very Cool
Review: This book is extremely good. It is a good example of adventure at its best. Robin's cleverness in defeating the sheriff of Nottingham is often funny. This book is a must-read
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book!!
Review: This is a truly wonderful book. Green makes everything seem so real, I actually cried in the end, and in a few parts I laughed out loud and ran to tell my sister about it. When I was reaching the end half of me almost made me put the book down and do something else so it would last longer, but the other half wouldn't let me, because the book was so exiting and I had to find out what happens next! Scince I own this book I know I am going to read it again and again!This is a really great book about Robin Hood!!!
Rating:
Summary: The Robin Hood collection second only to one other.
Review: Who hasn't heard of Robin Hood and his merry band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest? In this book you meet them all - including the powerful Little John, courageous Will Scarlet, musical Allan a Dale, and sly Friar Tuck. Roger Lancelyn Green has researched the legends and ballads about Robin Hood, and this collection of Robin Hood tales rivals the authoritative collection by Howard Pyle which has been unequalled for more than 100 years. But Green corrects one notable omission in Pyle: the absence of Maid Marion. In addition to the ample adventures revolving around Maid Marion, all the old favorites are included - Little John and his quarter-staff toppling Robin into the water, Robin winning the golden arrow at Nottingham's archery contest, and the Sheriff being outsmarted in numerous attempts to capture Robin. But these are just the tip of the iceberg - this book is chock-full of entertaining merry adventures.The medieval setting is portrayed beautifully, including the vast gulf between the upper and lower classes of society, the corruption and greed of the nobility, and the hypocrisy of the medieval Roman Catholic church where religion has degenerated to mere outward rituals. But the medieval setting is not presented without a social commentary - Green shows that the unbalanced social structure inevitably resulted in the oppression of the poor and weak. Robin Hood and his band are clearly Catholics, and they are motivated by a genuine love for God and for the King. It is left to Robin Hood and his men to take justice into their own hands, and fight nobly for the cause of the downtrodden. Such justice is accomplished in a questionable manner, because the notion of robbing the rich to help the poor implicitly endorses civil disobedience. But Green points out that Robin Hood is motivated by justice and not revenge, and acts only because the lawful authority of King Richard has been replaced by an unlawful usurper. The theme of seeking justice and maintaining truth and right is in itself a noble one. With Robin Hood, we find ourselves wanting justice, and being prepared to make unselfish sacrifices in order to achieve it. When justice is done, it is actually the greed and corruption of the nobility that has led to its own destruction and ruin. But the real attractions of this gem are the enthralling exploits of Robin Hood and his band of merry men. Comparisons with the classic Howard Pyle collection are inevitable. Green's collection of tales is equally well researched and equally comprehensive. Although the absence of Pyle's antiquated language is an improvement, Green's collection is still in the end inferior to Pyle's. Pyle's Sherwood Forest is a rather glamorous utopian world where feasting and song abound, where it is never winter, and where the ale rarely runs dry. Robin Hood clearly represents a form of hedonism, and in his company there is never a lack of action, adventure, or for that matter - ale. Green's Sherwood Forest is ironically less "green" than Pyle's, and lacks the hedonistic feasting and song, and lacks the sense of atmosphere that Pyle so skilfully evoked. Green's action and atmosphere fails to match the excitement and merriment that Robin Hood deserves, and he seems to have taken the "merry" out of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws. In this case the grass really was "Greener" on the Pyle side of the fence. But that is not to detract from Green's superb effort. If you can't get Howard Pyle's "The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood" or can't endure his antiquated language, then don't look further than this collection by Green. There is no end to the accomplishments of muscles and mind, as Robin and his merry band outwit all comers by sheer physical skill in archery, wrestling, swordmanship, and quarter-staff combat, or by outsmarting them with deceit and disguise. To our delight, Robin's brawn and brains always come out on top at the end. Along with the tales of King Arthur, the tales of Robin Hood are the most exciting tales that British history has produced. Green's collection of Robin Hood's merry adventures is still constantly entertaining and exciting - one that you'll want to own and read over and over!
Rating:
Summary: The Robin Hood collection second only to one other.
Review: Who hasn't heard of Robin Hood and his merry band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest? In this book you meet them all - including the powerful Little John, courageous Will Scarlet, musical Allan a Dale, and sly Friar Tuck. Roger Lancelyn Green has researched the legends and ballads about Robin Hood, and this collection of Robin Hood tales rivals the authoritative collection by Howard Pyle which has been unequalled for more than 100 years. But Green corrects one notable omission in Pyle: the absence of Maid Marion. In addition to the ample adventures revolving around Maid Marion, all the old favorites are included - Little John and his quarter-staff toppling Robin into the water, Robin winning the golden arrow at Nottingham's archery contest, and the Sheriff being outsmarted in numerous attempts to capture Robin. But these are just the tip of the iceberg - this book is chock-full of entertaining merry adventures. The medieval setting is portrayed beautifully, including the vast gulf between the upper and lower classes of society, the corruption and greed of the nobility, and the hypocrisy of the medieval Roman Catholic church where religion has degenerated to mere outward rituals. But the medieval setting is not presented without a social commentary - Green shows that the unbalanced social structure inevitably resulted in the oppression of the poor and weak. Robin Hood and his band are clearly Catholics, and they are motivated by a genuine love for God and for the King. It is left to Robin Hood and his men to take justice into their own hands, and fight nobly for the cause of the downtrodden. Such justice is accomplished in a questionable manner, because the notion of robbing the rich to help the poor implicitly endorses civil disobedience. But Green points out that Robin Hood is motivated by justice and not revenge, and acts only because the lawful authority of King Richard has been replaced by an unlawful usurper. The theme of seeking justice and maintaining truth and right is in itself a noble one. With Robin Hood, we find ourselves wanting justice, and being prepared to make unselfish sacrifices in order to achieve it. When justice is done, it is actually the greed and corruption of the nobility that has led to its own destruction and ruin. But the real attractions of this gem are the enthralling exploits of Robin Hood and his band of merry men. Comparisons with the classic Howard Pyle collection are inevitable. Green's collection of tales is equally well researched and equally comprehensive. Although the absence of Pyle's antiquated language is an improvement, Green's collection is still in the end inferior to Pyle's. Pyle's Sherwood Forest is a rather glamorous utopian world where feasting and song abound, where it is never winter, and where the ale rarely runs dry. Robin Hood clearly represents a form of hedonism, and in his company there is never a lack of action, adventure, or for that matter - ale. Green's Sherwood Forest is ironically less "green" than Pyle's, and lacks the hedonistic feasting and song, and lacks the sense of atmosphere that Pyle so skilfully evoked. Green's action and atmosphere fails to match the excitement and merriment that Robin Hood deserves, and he seems to have taken the "merry" out of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws. In this case the grass really was "Greener" on the Pyle side of the fence. But that is not to detract from Green's superb effort. If you can't get Howard Pyle's "The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood" or can't endure his antiquated language, then don't look further than this collection by Green. There is no end to the accomplishments of muscles and mind, as Robin and his merry band outwit all comers by sheer physical skill in archery, wrestling, swordmanship, and quarter-staff combat, or by outsmarting them with deceit and disguise. To our delight, Robin's brawn and brains always come out on top at the end. Along with the tales of King Arthur, the tales of Robin Hood are the most exciting tales that British history has produced. Green's collection of Robin Hood's merry adventures is still constantly entertaining and exciting - one that you'll want to own and read over and over!
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