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from Muse, vol. 3, no. 4, April 1999
The Making of
a Legend
by Jeffrey Singman
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 Imagine yourself whisked through time to the Middle Ages. It is evening in the great hall of a castle. After the meal,  minstrels recite stories of adventure, and among the tales of knights and giants, damsels and enchantments, there is a story that begins like this:
Hear and listen, gentlemen,
That be of free-born blood,
I'll tell you of a good yeoman,
His name was Robin Hood.
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The tale he tells sounds familiar. Robin Hood is an outlaw living in the Barnsdale forest with a band of followers who include Little John, Much the miller’s son, and a character named Will Scathlock. At the beginning of the story, Robin sends his men off to find a “guest” for dinner. They come back with a sad-looking knight named Sir Richard at the Lee, whom they found riding through the forest. Sir Richard is served a feast, and afterwards Robin suggests that it is time to pay the bill. When it turns out that Sir Richard is almost penniless, Robin gives him money and new clothing and sends him on his way.
Later, the Sheriff of Nottingham holds an archery contest, and Robin and his men come to take part. Robin is an expert archer, and when he wins the contest, he is recognized. The outlaws are almost caught, but Sir Richard takes them to his castle for protection. Finally, King Edward himself comes in disguise to the forest to find Robin Hood. The outlaws capture him and bring him back to their lair. Eventually the king is recognized, and Robin asks for forgiveness. The king pardons the outlaws, who leave the forest with him, and Robin is taken into the king’s service. Within a year, though, he decides to return to the forest and live as an outlaw again.
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"Robin Hood: The Making of a Legend" by Jeffrey Singman from Muse, vol. 3, no. 4, April 1999. Copyright © 1999 by Jeffrey Singman. Reprinted by permission of Jeffrey Forgeng.
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