In Search of the Real Robin Hood and his Merry Men
The story of Robin Hood and his band of outlaw Merry Men has graced England's great history and legends for years. But what do we know of the actual man, or was it many men spanning over hundreds of years?
Films, books, plays, social media and so much more have told and re-told the tale. Around campfires, as nighttime children stories and within the imagination, Robin Hood never has truly died.
Below we have had the honour to visit some of the historical locations from which the tale of Robin Hood touches. Take a peaceful walk with us to find England's most greatest of all heroes. Enjoy x
Papplewick Church
Location Reference: St James' Church Papplewick, St. James Church, Papplewick NG15 8FE
Papplewick Church was reputed to be the wedding place of Alan-a-Dale. The church itself stands in the small village of Pappelwick, within the bounderies of Sherwood Forest. Within the church one can see the Forester's Stones engraved with a bow and arrows. This would of been a memorial grave stone for one of the foresters during Robin Hood's time.
There is also within the grounds of the church an ancient yew tree which legend has it that Robin cut his first bow from.
Blidworth
Location Reference: Blidworth, Mansfield NG21 0QX
In the grounds of Blidworth's Church, St. Mary of the Purification, sits a stone with no name. Legend has it that this grave is of Will Scarlet. It is quite a humbling experience to touch it. The current church replaced an earlier Norman church.
There are thoughts that Maid Marion also lived in Blidworth.
Little John's House and Grave Site
Location Reference:
In the little town of Hathersage in Derbyshire was where Little John's real house had been built and until recently was viewable until at least 1992. However, past owners of the land sadly did not wish to conserve the history right in their front garden and now there is nothing left of the house.
Little John's grave is also found in Hathersage and fortunately this as far as we know still exists within the church grounds.
King John's Hunting Lodge / King John's Palace
Location Reference: Clipstone, Kings Clipstone, Mansfield NG21 9BT
Royal palace or hunting lodge, built in the mid 12th century and operational until the mid 15th century. This was visited by every English king, from Henry II until Richard II.
Pontefract Castle
Location Reference:
This castle was responsible for the administration of the local area and the vast estates of the Lacy Family which included Barnsdale.
Cited from https://www.britainexpress.com/counties/yorkshire/castles/pontefract.htm :
'In 1311 Alice de Lacy married Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, and Pontefract passed into Lancastrian hands. Thomas did not long enjoy his new possessions however; he organised a rebellion against Edward II in 1322. The culmination of the rebellion came at the Battle of Boroughbridge, where Edward's troops were victorious.
Thomas was held prisoner in his own castle, tried for treason, and a sentence of death was pronounced by the king himself. He was executed on a nearby hilltop. Due to the nature of his death (and the unpopularity of the king), Thomas's tomb at Pontefract Priory became a place of pilgrimage and Thomas a candidate for sainthood.
In an interesting historical side note, one of Thomas's supporters was one Robert Hode of Wakefield. When his lands were seized for his part in the rebellion Hode went into hiding as an outlaw in the Forest of Barnsdale. Hode is often suggested as the real-life model for the popular stories of Robin Hood.'
Robin Hood's Well
Location reference:
Near to the bend of the A1 is the actual spot of Robin Hood's Well. The well has since been moved from is original spot into a newer position in a layby. This was done in order to protect the stonework. Unfortunately however, while talking with the wardens of the well, it is clear to see that traffic is slowly going to collapse the well in time. From the photos and pictures we have been given the opportunity to photo from the wardens of the well, you can see it in its original position. The photo of the man standing by the lamppost dates the pictures quite well.
