The earliest Robin Hood stories date from the early 14th century, and mention a King Edward. (Which makes it difficult to date them, because around the year 1300 there were three Edwards in quick succession :) Also, one of the earliest members of Robin Hood's group is Friar Tuck, and there weren't any friars until several decades after R1's death.
It was Sir Walter Scott who put Robin Hood during the reign of R1, in Ivanhoe. Which I like because the awesomest character in it is named Rebecca, but otherwise, not historically accurate At All.
I'm still a fan of R1, though - I kinda have to be, since he made up such a large part of my dissertation! And any historical figure who's got that many myths around him is an awesome resource for a medievalist who works on discourse and representation :)
no subject
The earliest Robin Hood stories date from the early 14th century, and mention a King Edward. (Which makes it difficult to date them, because around the year 1300 there were three Edwards in quick succession :) Also, one of the earliest members of Robin Hood's group is Friar Tuck, and there weren't any friars until several decades after R1's death.
It was Sir Walter Scott who put Robin Hood during the reign of R1, in Ivanhoe. Which I like because the awesomest character in it is named Rebecca, but otherwise, not historically accurate At All.
I'm still a fan of R1, though - I kinda have to be, since he made up such a large part of my dissertation! And any historical figure who's got that many myths around him is an awesome resource for a medievalist who works on discourse and representation :)