Chapter ROBIN to Robinson of R by Brewer's Readers Handbook

N.B.—Major tells us that this famous robber took away the goods of rich men only; never killed any person except in self-defence; never plundered the poor, but charitably fed them; and adds, “he was most humane and the prince of all robbers.”—Britanniæ Historia, 128 (1740).

Epitaph of Robin Hood.

Hear undernead dis laitl stean
Laiz robert earl of Huntingtun.
Near arcir ver az hie sa geud,
An pipl kauld im robin heud.
Sick utlawz az hi an iz men
Vil england nivr si agen.
Obiit 24 kal. dekembris, 1247.
   —Gale (dean of York).

Hatton, in his Churches of Yorkshire, gives the epitaph in Kirkless Church thus—

Here undernith this lact [sic] stean
Lay robert earl of Huntingdon.
Ner arcir yer az his sae geud,
An piple kauld im robin heud.
Sick outlauz as he an is men
Vil england niver si agin.
Obiit 24 kal. Dekembris, 1247.
   —Gale (dean of York).

(There is no such date as 24 kal. of any month. Probably 14 is meant, which would be the 18th of November, the real date.)

(The abbot of St. Mary’s, in York, and the sheriff of Nottingham were his bêtes noi?es. Munday and Chettle wrote a popular play in 1601, entitled The Death of Robert Earl of Huntingdon.)

Robin Hood’s Fat Friar was friar Tuck.

Robin Hood’s Men, outlaws, freebooters.

There came sodainly twelve men all appareled in short cotes of Kentish Kendal [green]…every one of them…like outlaws or Robyn Hodes men.—Hall (of. lvi. b).

1. Robin Hood in Barnsdale stood, said to a person who is not speaking to the point. This is the only line extant of a song of great antiquity, and a favourite in the law-courts.

A case in Yelverton was alluded to, but the court remarked, “You may as well say by way of inducement to a traverse, ‘Robin Hood in Barnwood stood.”’—Bush v. Leake.

Mes tout un come il ust replie “Robin Whood in Barnwood stood,” absque hoc q def. p. commandement sir John.—Witham v. Barker.

Robin Hood upon Greendale stood.
   —State Trials, iii. 634.

2. Come, turn about, Robin Hood, a challenge in defiance of exceeding pluck.

O Love, whose power and might
No creature ere withstood,
Thou forcest me to write,
Come, turn about, Robin Hood.
   —Wit and Drollery (1661).

3. Many talk of Robin Hood that never shot in his bow, many prate of things of which they have no practical knowledge.

Herein our author hath verified the proverb, “Talking at large of Robin Hood, in whose bow he never shot.”—Fuller: Worthies, 315 (1662).

Molti parlan di Orlando
Chi non viddero mai suo brando.
   —Italian Proverb.

4. To sell Robin Hood’s Pennyworths, sold much under the intrinsic value. As Robin Hood stole his goods, he sold them at almost any price. It is said that chapmen bought his wares most eagerly.

All men said it became me well,
And Robin Hood’s pennyworths I did sell.
   —Randal-a-Barnaby.