In England, there is a beautiful legend about the noble robber Robin Hood. Everything mined was distributed to the poor. However, did this person really exist, and did this really happen? Many people still ask this question, because ballads and stories about this hero, as well as film screenings about his exploits, cause a storm of emotions.
These legends originated in the 14th century, to verify their authenticity today is not possible. But some points can be clarified.
Who could be Robin Hood?
Today it is impossible to say whether Robin Hood was a real person, or whether this is a fictional character, which, however, to this day inspires writers, artists and filmmakers. Many researchers identify his personality with Robert Hood, a real robber who practiced his craft around the 13th century, in the north of England. Since the name of the epic character is written in different ways, it can be identified with many other people. There was, for example, the Yorkshire criminal Robert Hood, and a man of about the same name was in this period in Rockingham prison for hunting in the royal forests.
In addition, there was a deserter named Robert de Hood, and a host of other offenders with similar-sounding names. Any of them could become the prototype of the legendary "noble robber." And it may well be that the hero has become a collective way.
Early and late versions of Robin Hood
Watching modern films, we can conclude that this hero was also present in the Crusades. But this version is clearly refuted. Moreover, it was born in the 19th century. The original sources do not mention such moments, and in addition, ballads speak of times when no one had ever thought of going to the Holy Land. Also in earlier versions there is no information about Brother Tuk. Yes, this character is considered by many connoisseurs of ballads as the most striking and noticeable, but in the early ballads he really is not, like the virgins Marian.
But still, not everything is so simple with Brother Tuk. If you look at the preserved decrees of the 1400s, you can find strong evidence in favor of the existence of such a person. After all, there are two decrees of the king, requiring the arrest of a certain "brother Tuk."
The reality of the other characters of the Ballad about Robin Hood
It was also possible to prove the reality of the existence of Little John - with the proviso that this person lived a century earlier. This person appears as a poacher, a member of one of the gangs. But there is no information about Alan from Hollow, and he is not present in the early versions, appearing in the narrative only by the 17th century. About Mac, the son of the miller, there is no information, and he does not appear in many film adaptations, in a number of versions of the story. Perhaps this is due to the unattractiveness of this character, who looks like a notorious killer.
Other interesting facts about Robin Hood
Legends featured the Sheriff of Nottingham, the enemy of the protagonist.It is interesting that such a post with the same name exists in modern times, at the moment the local sheriff is a woman. Many more interesting points are connected with the grave of the most famous robber. It is believed that he was buried somewhere in the woods not far from the Kerkless Monastery, the ruins of this architectural monument still exist. However, this territory is privately owned, strangers are not allowed to visit here. One should only regret it, since the ruins really look picturesque, and people say that ghosts live here.
To this day, there is Sherwood Forest, the famous “habitat” of Robin Hood and his gang. But today it is far from the greatness of past centuries. In 1609, the massif was over 32 km long and about 12 km wide. Its area was about 40 thousand hectares, and in addition to the forest, there were rivers and meadows.
The age of the forest is more than 10 thousand years; centuries-old trees really grew in it. But today, this natural attraction is at stake. One of the companies in Britain received the right to carry out blasting operations here, and they are being carried out.
Was the virgin Marion black?
The damsel Marion is one of the most controversial heroines of the story. And she really could have been black. The ethnic composition of Great Britain has been wide since the time of the Roman conquests, and not only slaves were representatives of the Negroid race. At the court of Jacob IV there were courtiers with black skin, and in York not so long ago they unearthed the grave of a black noblewoman.This country has been far from racism for centuries. We can assume the African roots of the virgin Marion, but her name can also be associated with the word "Morris", meaning the Moorish dance, in front of which the faces were supposed to be painted black.
Thus, the identity of Robin Hood is not unique, today it is difficult to assume whether he really existed. However, there are only more works in his honor over time.
