History and Modern Depictions of Robin Hood

Robin Hood as a legend spans back centuries, but the oldest surviving print as a folklore story with the traditional tale was the Gest of Robin Hood from the early sixteenth century. Throughout the years, however, the stories of Robin Hood had been passed down as traditional tales of the authentic history of a great hero of England. Many believed he was a real figure in their county’s origin and took great pride in this hero. It wasn’t until the eighteenth century that one of Robin Hood’s scholars found the discrepancies and sparse details through the various texts. Historians have lacked sufficient evidence to keep Robin Hood in their histories, and thus, he has become a folklore legend that continues to be told in countless iterations even still today.

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Who Was He For?

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In medieval England, the oral tradition of Robin Hood grew to poetry, ballads, and folklore. It is speculated that the legacy of Robin Hood was created for an aristocratic audience, however, the folklore was certainly not confined to this audience. In fact, the stories of Robin Hood became ever more popular amongst peasants, outlaws, and common folk. He was a man for the people - an original vigilante against classism and injustice. He went by many names, Robin of Locksley, The Prince of good fellows, The King of the Outlaws. Some stories have him originating from a noble background and being banished by the Sheriff of Nottingham. Though Robin Hood was touted as a hero, he rarely ever worked alone in his stories. He is almost always accompanied by a sidekick, such as the not-so-little Little John, and the rest of his Merry Men. 

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The Evolution of Robin Hood Over Time

Robin Hood was known for his general principle to "steal from the rich to give to the poor" and was dubbed as a social bandit, not as a term of disapproval but rather as a hero to honest people who were subjected to corrupt power. This type of hero is relevant across time and cultures, and so it is no surprise that the story of Robin Hood would be as pervasive as it still is today. Not only do we see a reiteration of movies directly about Robin Hood, but other folklore heroes emerged over time with sharing a common trope. The American hero and social bandit Jesse James (1847-1882) became famous for similar acts of defense against corruption. Other heroes that emerged were John Dillinger (1903 - 1934), and even superheroes from comic books, such as the Green Arrow, Daredevil, and more.