Imagining Robin Hood: The Late Medieval Stories in Historical Context

by A.J. Pollard

Overview

A.J. Pollard takes us back to the earliest surviving stories, tales and ballads of Robin Hood, and re-examines the story of this fascinating figure. Setting out the economic, social and political context of the time, Pollard illuminates the legend of this yeoman hero and champion of justice as never before.

Imagining Robin Hood questions:

• what a ‘yeoman’ was, and what it meant to be a fifteenth-century Englishman
• Was Robin Hood hunted as an outlaw, or respected as an officially appointed forest ranger?
• Why do we ignore the fact that this celebrated hero led a life of crime?
• Did he actually steal from the rich and give to the poor?

Answering these questions, the book looks at how Robin Hood was ‘all things to all men’ since he first appeared; speaking to the gentry, the peasants and all those in between. The story of the freedom-loving outlaw tells us much about the English nation, but tracing back to the first stories reveals even more about the society in which the legend arose.

An enthralling read for all historians and general readers of this fascinating subject.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781134595389
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/02/2004
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	821,966
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

A. J. Pollard is Professor of History at the University of Teesside. He is the author of The Wars of the Roses (2001), and Late Medieval England, 1399-1509 (2000)

Table of Contents

1. Texts and Context 2. Yeomanry 3. A Greenwood Far Away 4. Crime, Violence and the Law 5. Religion and the Religious 6. Fellowship and Fraternity 7. Authority and the Social Order 8. History and Memory 9. Farewell to Merry England

Editorial Reviews

'Robin Hood … remains as mysterious and enigmatic as ever.' – Barrie Dobson, University of York and John Taylor, University of Leeds, UK

'Original and intriguing … this is not a book any serious ‘gode felawe’ of Robin Hood’s posthumous fraternity can afford to be without.' – Barrie Dobson, University of York and John Taylor, University of Leeds, UK

'Informative and stimulating ... full of fascinating material.' – Literature & History

'This pithy, intriguing study ... offers fascinating insights into the Reformation in England.' – Christopher Silvester, The Sunday Times

'His overview is ... fascinating.' – Warrington Guardian

'Robin Hood … remains as mysterious and enigmatic as ever'. – Barrie Dobson, University of York and John Taylor, University of Leeds.

'Original and intriguing … this is not a book any serious ‘gode felawe’ of Robin Hood’s posthumous fraternity can afford to be without' – Barrie Dobson, University of York and John Taylor, University of Leeds.

'Informative and stimulating ... full of fascinating material.' – Literature & History

'This excellent book ... deserves to be read, enjoyed and respected.' – Rural History

From the Publisher