Chapter River Demon to Robin Goodfellow of R by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

rhymes, and is a translation of Wace's Brut; the second part is in Alexandrine verse, and is a translation of the French chronicle of Piers de Langtoft, of Yorkshire.

“Of Brunne I am, if any me blame,
Robert Mannying is my name ...
In the thrid Edwardes tyme was I
When I wrote alle this story.”
Preface to Chronicle.

Robert's Men Bandits, marauders, etc. So called from Robin Hood, the outlaw.

Robespierre's Weavers The fish-women and other female rowdies who joined the Parisian Guard, and helped to line the avenues to the National Assembly in 1793, and clamour “Down with the Girondists!”

Robin Goodfellow A “drudging fiend,” and merry domestic fairy, famous for mischievous pranks and practical jokes. At night-time he will sometimes do little services for the family over which he presides. The Scotch call this domestic spirit a brownie; the Germans, kobold or Knecht Ruprecht. The Scandinavians called it Nissë God-dreng. Puck, the jester of Fairy-court, is the same.

“Either I mistake your shape and making quite,
Or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite
Called Robin Goodfellow. ...
Those that Hob-goblin call you, and sweet Puck
You do their work, and they shall have good luck.”
Shakespeare: Midsummer Night's Dream, ii. 1.

(See Fairy.)