Geek Syndicate
A HOOD FOR ALL
In this article, we’ve dipped into a number of versions
of the Robin Hood story. We have seen how the intended
audience and the general story-telling trends of the time
have affected the legend. We have seen new characters
enter into the legends and others have their roles expanded as the requirements of the time or the individual
story changed. We’ve seen many changes without even
touching on stories that take Robin out of the familiar
setting of Medieval England (Robin and the Seven Hoods,
Rocket Robin Hood, Robin Hood by CD Comics, the Arrowhead
trilogy by Paul Kane et al).
I think it is very indicative of the power of the Robin
Hood legend that not only do so many different versions
of the story exist but also that each can be accepted
without the need to brush the others aside. Like many
of you, I have my favourite version of Robin but I still
enjoy new stories and new takes on the legend.
Robin Hood is a template hero; the outlaw hero; the
defender of the people. Except for when he (or indeed
she) isn’t. The influence of the character can be seen all
over: from the appearance of Peter Pan and Link from
The Legend of Zelda through heroes such as Green Arrow
and Katniss Everdeen to the ranger class of most fantasy
roleplay games. These characters and the many incarnations of Robin we have touched on show that Robin
Hood can truly be the hero that the people need at any
given time.
Antony McGarry-Thickitt
RECOMMENDED READING
The following resources are recommended for anyone
wanting to delve into some of the Robin Hood stories
discussed in the article and beyond.
Ballads and Prose
• The Robin Hood Project at the University of Rochester,
http://d.lib.rochester.edu/robin-hood (Link: Feb
2014).
• Robin Hood Through the Ages, http://www.robinhood.
ltd.uk/robinhood/charlotte_dahlgaard_report.
html (Link: Feb 2014).
• Bold Outlaw, http://www.boldoutlaw.com/ (Link:
Feb 2014)
• The Robin Hood Handbook, Mike Dixon Kennedy, Sutton Publishing 2006
• The Legend of Robin Hood, Richard Rutherford-Moore,
Capall Bann Publishing 1998
• The Adventures of Robin Hood, Roger Lancelyn Green,
Puffin Classics 1956
• The Outlaws of Sherwood, Robin McKinnley, Firebird
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1988
Outlaw, Angus Donald, Sphere 2009
Hood, Stephen R Lawhead, Atom 2006
Knight of Shadows, Toby Venables 2013
Robin Hood, Henry Gilbert, Wordsworth Classics 1994
Comics
• Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood, Tony Lee (writer) &
Sam Hart (artist), Walker 2009
• Frank Bellamy’s Robin Hood: The Complete Adventures,
Frank Bellamy, Book Palace Books, 2008
RECOMMENDED VIEWING
The following films and television series are my personal
favourite renditions of the Robin Hood legend.
Films
• The Adventures of Robin Hood, Warner Bros (1938)
• Robin and Marian, Columbia Pictures (1976)
• Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Warner Bros. (1991)
Television Series
• The Adventures of Robin Hood (TV Series), Saphire Films
(1953)
• Robin of Sherwood, Goldcrest (1981)
• Maid Marian and Her Merry Men, BBC (1989)
• Robin Hood, BBC (2006)