The existence of the Robin Hood we know today has no concrete proof, despite references and evidence of men who matched his description. According to History Extra, Robin Hood is an invented archetypical hero, embodying the popular frustrations and ambitions of his era as immortalised in folklore. The nickname "Robin Hood" (or Robert Hood) was given to petty criminals from at least the middle of the 13th century. However, it may never be proven whether he was a real person, especially as Robin or Robert Hood was a common name in medieval England. Man or a myth - what do you think? Photo: Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe.The existence of the Robin Hood we know today has no concrete proof, despite references and evidence of men who matched his description. According to History Extra, Robin Hood is an invented archetypical hero, embodying the popular frustrations and ambitions of his era as immortalised in folklore. The nickname "Robin Hood" (or Robert Hood) was given to petty criminals from at least the middle of the 13th century. However, it may never be proven whether he was a real person, especially as Robin or Robert Hood was a common name in medieval England. Man or a myth - what do you think? Photo: Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe.
The existence of the Robin Hood we know today has no concrete proof, despite references and evidence of men who matched his description. According to History Extra, Robin Hood is an invented archetypical hero, embodying the popular frustrations and ambitions of his era as immortalised in folklore. The nickname "Robin Hood" (or Robert Hood) was given to petty criminals from at least the middle of the 13th century. However, it may never be proven whether he was a real person, especially as Robin or Robert Hood was a common name in medieval England. Man or a myth - what do you think? Photo: Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe.

Here are seven things you may not know about Sherwood Forest's legend Robin Hood

By Phoebe Cox
Published 1st Aug 2024, 14:01 BST
As the Robin Hood festival returns this month, we thought it would be interesting to delve into the depths of Sherwood Forest folklore and uncover fascinating insights about the local legend that may surprise you.

As many readers will know, Sherwood Forest and its infamous legend Robin Hood are known across the world, with the historic forest welcoming international visitors each year.

With the popular Robin Hood festival returning this month at Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, we thought it was a great time to find out more about the Nottinghamshire outlaw.

How many of the following facts did you already know?

How many of the following facts did you already know?

Robin Hood is famously depicted as being in love with Maid Marian, but she never actually appears in any of the early Robin Hood ballads. In reality, she made her first appearance in May Day festivities in the sixteenth century, during which people threw a big festival on May 1st to celebrate the approach of summer. Source: www.beano.com/posts/robin-hood-facts

5. Maid Marian

Robin Hood is famously depicted as being in love with Maid Marian, but she never actually appears in any of the early Robin Hood ballads. In reality, she made her first appearance in May Day festivities in the sixteenth century, during which people threw a big festival on May 1st to celebrate the approach of summer. Source: www.beano.com/posts/robin-hood-facts Photo: Jason Chadwick

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English folklore claims that Robin Hood and his Merry Men resided in Sherwood Forest, where they played games, perfected their archery skills, and outwitted the Sheriff of Nottingham. Nowadays, the forest attracts around 350,000 visitors annually, all seeking to immerse themselves in nature and relive the legendary tales of Robin Hood.

6. Thousands visit Sherwood Forest each year

English folklore claims that Robin Hood and his Merry Men resided in Sherwood Forest, where they played games, perfected their archery skills, and outwitted the Sheriff of Nottingham. Nowadays, the forest attracts around 350,000 visitors annually, all seeking to immerse themselves in nature and relive the legendary tales of Robin Hood. Photo: Jason Chadwick

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The first film about Robin Hood, titled "Robin Hood and His Merry Men," was a silent movie released in 1908. Did you know that there have been over 70 adaptations of Robin Hood for movies and TV in the last century? This filmic portrayal comes long after years of theatre performances and literature, to which Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest appeared countless times. If you want to learn more about the history of Robin Hood movies, with lead actors from Kevin Foster to Russel Crowe, you can watch a video from WatchMoJo here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEFyuw8j_vA

7. Sherwood Forest on film

The first film about Robin Hood, titled "Robin Hood and His Merry Men," was a silent movie released in 1908. Did you know that there have been over 70 adaptations of Robin Hood for movies and TV in the last century? This filmic portrayal comes long after years of theatre performances and literature, to which Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest appeared countless times. If you want to learn more about the history of Robin Hood movies, with lead actors from Kevin Foster to Russel Crowe, you can watch a video from WatchMoJo here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEFyuw8j_vA Photo: Phoebe Cox

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