The Modern Legend of Robin Hood paints a picture of a Penniless Noble Man, outlawed by Prince John and the Sherriff of Nottingham, hiding in Sherwood Forest Robbing The Rich and Giving Money to the Poor. He has been portrayed on both the Silver Screen by many Actors, but possibly Best and most Memorably by Errol Flynn in the 1938 film The Adventures of Robin Hood, and the T.V series of the same name starring Richard Green. But could the Heroic Outlaw been an actual living Man?

Robin's story revolves around Robin of Loxley a Discredited Noble man in the Reign of Richard the Lionheart. He had all his Lands and Title taken from him by Richard's Younger Brother John, because of his support for King who was away fighting in the Crusades. However the first Ballard's of Robin Hood began to be told in 1377, the last year of the Reign of Edward III and was quoted has a yeoman in the time of our Comely King Edward. Which means this Robin lived in either the Reign of Edward I Edward II or Edward III. Records show that one Robert Hood a Forester was member of the Army of Thomas Earl of Lancashire, who made a bid for the English Throne, during the Reign of Edward II. At that time the King was Very Unpopular and he made a trip North to Nottingham where he learned of Thomas's Rebellion. The King's Army, Ambushed and Crushed the Earl's Force, the Remnants of which scatted including Robert, who along with Little John, Much the Miller's Son and Will Scarlett hid and lived in the Greenwood.

So what makes Robert Hood a a Candidate for Robin Hood? Firstly Robin was a nickname for Robert and Robert Hood was a Forester by Trade. Therefore used to living in the Woods. He was a product of the times and if Robert made a living by robbing the Rich, he wouldn't have given money to the Poor, but would have kept it, helping him and his men's survival. Robert was also married to Matilda, who's nickname was Marian, so it would appear that Robert or Robin's wife also went to live with her husband in his Woodland Camp. It is said that Robin remained and lived in the Greenwood for 22 years. Then one day he visited Kirklees Priory which at that time was run by Elizabeth de Stayton who was the cousin of his wife Matilda/Marian, to be Bled for his health a common thing in those days but for reason's unknown, a Nun in the Priory betrayed Robert and left him to bleed to Death. So was Robert the Real Life Robin Hood?

Good article @Wheelbarrow repair man

Ah Robin Hood and his merry men of Sherwood. The adventures of Robin Hood with Errol Flynn as Robin & Claude Raines as Prince John, not forgetting Basil Rathbone as the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.

A bit of film trivia. Basil Rathbone was quite an accomplished swordsman being a two times British Army Fencing Champion who actually taught Errol some good moves. It was ironic that playing the baddy he always had to lose against the good guys in the film parts he played.

Little John is said to be buried at St Michael's Church Hathersage. The grave was once excavated in 1784 and a large thighbone measuring 30 inches was discovered. This suggests a man of large stature upwards of 8 ft tall. I've visited the grave myself and it is a huge one.

Around the time that the legend of Robin Hood was spread it was a custom in the middle ages to call an outlaw Robin Hood as a nickname or alias for an outlaw.

In Edwinstowe in North Notts there is a Church where legend has it that Robin Hood and Maid Marion were married. There is a plaque in place to inform visitors of that particular legend.

Robin Hood will always remain a legend of good overcoming evil. Whether he was real or not, I don't think that it really matters. It is a timeless story that tells about a man's fight against injustice & oppression & defending the common people against tyranny & injustice.

It is believed that multiple people used the name "Robin Hood" as a means to rob the rich in woodlands across the East Midlands and Yorkshire. There are documents identifying that this could be the case, "Robehod" and "Rabunhod," sort of like a common name given to a highwayman or bandit. Different regions have played a big role in telling, adapting, and spreading the story.

The early tales and ballads originated in Barnsdale, in Yorkshire.

Over time, it is said that these people became somewhat political figures, each using the lure as a means to rebel against the unjust living conditions and as a symbol of resistance against the kingdom's ruling.

The story of Robin Hood as a single person is almost comparable to the tales of King Arthur. A mythical archetype is a cool story, but it's hard to say what is really true since so much has been lost over time. While King Arthur seems to be a mixture of tales of kings from Europe, his legend is primarily rooted in post-Roman British history and mythology, shaped by figures such as Ambrosius Aurelianus and Riothamus, and later embellished by medieval writers across Britain and France.

There are some pretty convincing documents that suggest Robin Hood might have actually been more than just one person. Some people think there could have been multiple people called Robin Hood, maybe even to help cover up when the main Robin got captured. That's part of why this idea sticks around.

There is a record in 1637 that mentions Loxley Firth as being a cottage, the place where Robin Hood was born; it is believed to be one of the earliest claims, and this is why Robin of Loxley is believed to be the real person who inspired the tales.

Hi @Robbie and @Chris. Well there goes Part 2 of what I was going to write about the Legend of Robin Hood. You both quoted things I was going to write about in Part 2. But Fear Not, I think I've got Enough to cover a Second Instalment. Which I'll write when I get the Time.😁

A lot of the claims about Robin Hood being a nobleman from Loxley or wherever were first mentioned several hundred years after he was supposed to have lived. There's a very committed "Robin Hood was a Yorkshireman" brigade that sometimes gets a hearing on BBC Look North. It's all a bit desparate to me.

If he was a real person, Robin Hood lived before surnames were common for ordinary people - they were more often nicknames. So our man could have been anyone called Robin or Robert who wore a hood. On top of that, medieval scribes had a habit of weaving together fact and fiction (one of our best sources on medieval England, Geoffrey of Monmouth, had a habit of including dragons in his chronicles). So I don't think it's anything we'll ever know for sure.

Like @Chris, I'd bet that he was a real man whose tale became embellished with other legends over the centuries.

We do know, however, that he didn't have his Weetabix...

There must be some truth in the story, or it wouldn’t have lasted so long. Over time, it’s likely changed a bit, like a game of Chinese whispers, with people adding their own bits to it.

Still, it’s something Nottingham should be proud of. It’s part of our history and worth sharing to help bring in visitors and celebrate what makes the city special.

@DangerousSausage. It was Rumoured that Robin could eat 3 Shredded Wheat!!

According to folklore, Maid Marian had a short engagement to Robin

Marian haste🤣