During the times of King Harry the Second of
England, in the forests near the town of Nottingham lived Hugh Fitzooth with
his wife and son Robert. Hugh was the head Forester of the King’s forests
restricted for King’s hunting only, where no deer could be shot.
The boy was born in the year of 1160 in the town of
Lockesley. Often he was known as Rob of Lockesley. As soon as he could walk, he
accompanied his father into the forest. As soon as his arms were strong enough
he learned to draw the bow and speed an arrow. During the winter evenings he
eagerly listened to the stories about an outlaw, who rampaged through the
King’s forests killing the deer told by his father by the fire.
The mother fond of the boy, but not so much of those
stories taught her son to read and write in hopes of him becoming a clerk. The
boy had the outmost respect for his mother, but he was the happiest in the
woods with his bow and arrow.
The kind and caring father had some enemies, who
despised him. At the most convenient occasion they convinced the King of Hugh’s
deception. He was removed from his post as King’s Forester and arrested for
treason.
The mother and the boy, then of 19, sheltered at
their only relative. Soon after, the mother’s already failing health and the
winter’s journey turned to be too much for her. Her departure from the earthly
planes was shortly followed by his father’s, who died in jail awaiting his
trial. Losing both parents in such short time crushed the boy. He missed them
greatly, his mother’s gentleness and his father’s companionship.
One day, his uncle announced, “How would you like to
take a part in an archer’s tournament?” Rob’s eyes twinkled and that was enough
for his uncle to know what the answer was.
On his way to Nottingham, he encountered a group of
Foresters and the deceitful head Forester, who took his father’s place. Rob
would have passed by them without a word if the head Forester didn’t look for
trouble, “Look who we have here…the one who claims to be the best archer.” An
argument broke between those two resulting in archery fight. Rob’s arrow
reached the head Forester first, killing him and making Rob an outlaw at the
same time.
He stopped by the cottage of an older woman, he knew
well. He learned that her sons became outlaws due to hunger, which forced them
to hunt for forbidden deer. He stayed overnight and met with her sons, who
announced, “We’re looking for a leader. So we’re heading to the archery
tournament to find an outlaw, who can win the competition and become our
leader.”
Rob in order to disguise his face wore a hood over
his head. He won the tournament and was recognized as “Rob in the hood.”
Later that night, he became the leader of the
outlaws of the Sherwood Forest. With a toast he was named “Robin Hood.”
They all swore to, “Take money and goods from the
unjust rich, aid and befriend the poor and the helpless, and harm no woman.”
All that summer, Robin Hood and his men roamed in
Sherwood Forest gaining fame of their deeds.
The fame of Robin Hood had reached Queen Eleanor in
London. The Queen invited him and his four men to London’s tournament to shoot
against King Harry’s men, in return promising amnesty for them.
At Finsbury Field, Robin Hood and his men won the
King’s tourney, which story had been passed down from father to son, and even
unto the present day.
After the death of King Harry, King Richard hearing
of Robin Hood’s pranks became an admirer of him and desired to meet him.
Upon meeting the new King, Robin Hood and his men
pledged their service to him.
Meanwhile, the fate reconnected Robin Hood and his
childhood friend Marian. Her misfortune led her to joining Robin Hood and his
men. Shortly after, they were weeded.
Their happiness lasted only five years. Marian was
sickened of a plague and died. Robins’ light was gone. After the death of King
Richard, the new King waged fierce war upon the outlaws.
Robin Hood and his men left the Sherwood Forest and
went into Derbyshire. One of the last stories of him states that an arrow had
reached his shoulder. It was all just a scratch, but it left him in fever.
Shortly after, the body of Robin Hood had died, but his spirit has lived
through the centuries.
Source: ‘Robin Hood’ by J. Walker McSpadden offers
many adventures of Robin Hood.
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