Get to Know Robin Hoods Merry Men HUZZAH

Get to Know Robin Hood’s Merry Men HUZZAH!!!!! By: Emily Stap

Will Scarlet • One of Robin Hood’s chief lieutenants • Often related to Robin (nephew, cousin) • Love of fine (red) clothes, dandy • Often passionate, hotheaded • Many different surnames throughout the legends • Most skilled swordsman and strongest of the Merry Men • Present in earliest ballads: A Gest of Robyn Hode • Became an outlaw because he killed his father’s steward • Joined Robin’s band after he beat him in a sword/quarterstaff fight

Little John • Robin Hood’s 2 nd in command • Present in the earliest ballads • Giant of a man • Best at quarterstaff • Only in more recent versions he is depicted as less than smart • Has disagreements w/ Robin, speaks his mind • Only one of the band present at Robin Hood’s death • Joins band after defeating Hood in a bout of quarterstaffs

Friar Tuck • • Joins Robin’s band after Robin tricks him into carrying him across the river & they sword fight Jolly friar character introduced in late 15 th c. Possibly added to legend as part of May Games Fat, jovial monk of Fountains Abby Skilled with sword Enjoys good food and wine Becomes chaplain of Robin’s band Sought out and found by Robin b/c he is needed someone to marry Allan a Dale and his lady

Allan a Dale • Late addition to the legend, first appears in 17 th c. ballad • Young, effeminate, wandering minstrel • Entertains band with his singing voice and harp playing • Robin helps him in stopping the marriage of his sweetheart Ellen to somebody else • Is married to Ellen in Sherwood by Friar Tuck • Afterwards, is offered to join the band due to his talents

Much the Miller’s Son • In most legends Robin Hood’s band is said to consist of over a 100 men • Only a few are mentioned by name Will Stutely Arthur a Bland Gilbert Whitehand David of Doncaster

Maid Marian VS • • • Love interest/ sometimes wife of Robin Hood Became associated w/ legend in late 16 th c. Probably originating from May Day games Character changes and develops over time At first was archer, swordswoman, lived in greenwood • Then damsel in distress, nobility, lady-like

Robin Hood The jolly, heroic, English outlaw himself! “he was a good outlawe, And dyde pore men moch god. ” -- A Gest of Robyn Hod “It doth make a man better, ' quoth Robin Hood, 'to bear of those noble men so long ago. When one doth list to such tales, his soul doth say, 'put by thy poor little likings and seek to do likewise. ' Truly, one may not do as nobly one's self, but in the striving one is better. . . ” ―The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

Join Robin Hood’s band live a merry life in the greenwood! Don your Lincoln green, grab your long bow and grey goose shafts, rob from the rich only to give to the poor, love a merry jest, outwit the Sheriff, answer the bugle call and meet Robin at the greenwood oak…Welcome to Sherwood!!!