Douglas Fairbanks Robin Hood 1922 film poster

The folkloric hero

Robin Hood Robin Hood is a legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently featured in literature and film. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. In some versions of the legend, he is depic ...

has appeared many times, in many different variations, in popular modern works.

Theatre

Robin Hood has appeared in a number of plays throughout the medieval, early modern and modern periods. The first record of a Robin Hood play being performed is in Exeter in 1426-27. The earliest surviving text of a Robin Hood play is dated c.1475 and entitled ''Robyn Hod and the Shryff off Notyngham''. The plays which perhaps have been most influential upon the Robin Hood legend as a whole are

Anthony Munday Anthony Munday (or Monday) (1560?10 August 1633) was an English playwright and miscellaneous writer. He was baptized on 13 October 1560 in St Gregory by St Paul's, London, and was the son of Christopher Munday, a stationer, and Jane Munday. He ...

's ''The Downfall of Robert, Earle of Huntington'' and ''The Death of Robert, Earle of Huntingdon'' (1597–98). It is in these plays that Robin is first depicted as a nobleman. Further plays followed during the early modern period such as the anonymous ''Looke About You'' (1600) and ''Robin Hood and his Crew of Soldiers'' (1661).

Radio

On 18 April 1992,

BBC Radio 4 BBC Radio 4 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC that replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. It broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history from the BBC' ...

first broadcast John Fletcher's 90-minute radio play entitled ''The Legend of Robin Hood'', which was a full cast drama that drew closely on the original Robin Hood ballads. It was directed by Nigel Bryant and featured music composed by Vic Gammon. As well as depicting some of Robin Hood's adventures in Sherwood Forest and Nottingham, it also covers a fruitless quest that Robin makes Little John to the Holy Land to help the crusaders. On May 18, 2019, Augustine Institute released a full cast 12-part audio drama written by Paul McCusker entitled ''The Legends of Robin Hood''. Starring Gwilym Lee as Robin Hood, Katie Foster-Barnes as Maid Marian (named Lady Marian Fitzwalter in this version), Robert Portal as Sir Guy of Gisbourne and Nicholas Boulten as Richard the Lionheart.

Books

The first published prose account of Robin Hood's life appears to be the anonymously authored ''The Noble Birth and Gallant Atchievements of that Remarkable Out-Law, Robin Hood'' (1678). Material from this work was often plagiarised by criminal biographers in works such as: ''The Whole Life and Merry Exploits of Bold Robin Hood'' (1712), Alexander Smith's ''A Complete History of the Lives and Robberies of the Most Notorious Highwaymen, Footpads, Shoplifts and Cheats'' (1719), Charles Johnson's ''Lives and Exploits of the Most Noted Highwaymen'' (1734). In addition, there were numerous books printed throughout the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries that went by the name of ''Robin Hood's Garland''. These were cheaply printed collections of later Robin Hood ballads. The first Robin Hood novel written, although not published, is

Robert Southey Robert Southey ( or ; 12 August 1774 – 21 March 1843) was an English poet of the Romantic school, and Poet Laureate from 1813 until his death. Like the other Lake Poets, William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Southey began as a ra ...

's 'Harold, or, The Castle of Morford' (1791). This exists in manuscript form in the Bodleian Library. The first published Robin Hood novel was the anonymous ''Robin Hood: A Tale of the Olden Time'' (1819), and a few months later ''

Ivanhoe ''Ivanhoe: A Romance'' () by Walter Scott is a historical novel published in three volumes, in 1819, as one of the Waverley novels. Set in England in the Middle Ages, this novel marked a shift away from Scott’s prior practice of setting st ...

'' by

Walter Scott Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet (15 August 1771 – 21 September 1832), was a Scottish novelist, poet, playwright and historian. Many of his works remain classics of European and Scottish literature, notably the novels ''Ivanhoe'', ''Rob Roy (n ...

, 1819. ''Ivanhoe'' was Scott's first novel where history and romance is combined. Robin Hood in this book is the saviour of the nation. The Upper classes need the working classes as much as the working classes rely on their 'betters'. Scott's tale is significant because it is the first time that Robin is presented as an Anglo-Saxon freedom fighter, a theme which many later Victorian Robin Hood novels would utilise. The next novel following Scott was

Thomas Love Peacock Thomas Love Peacock (18 October 1785 – 23 January 1866) was an English novelist, poet, and official of the East India Company. He was a close friend of Percy Bysshe Shelley and they influenced each other's work. Peacock wrote satirical novels, ...

's novella ''

Maid Marian Maid Marian is the heroine of the Robin Hood legend in English folklore, often taken to be his lover. She is not mentioned in the early, medieval versions of the legend, but was the subject of at least two plays by 1600. Her history and circums ...

.'' The novel was originally intended as a satire on continental conservatism and its enthusiasm for all things feudal and medieval, and in particular the unwarranted praise of aristocracy. Thus through his novella Peacock attempted to show how man’s feudal overlords have always been the same: greedy, violent, cynical, and self-interested. Robin also appears as the principal protagonist of two tales printed in an early penny blood entitled ''Lives of the Highwaymen'' in 1836. This serialised tale, however, is little more than a reprint of the earlier biography of Robin Hood that appeared in Charles Johnson's work. In Thomas Miller's ''Royston Gower; or, The Days of King John'' (1838), Robin is not the principal protagonist but is an outlaw who comes to the aid of the title character after he defects from the Normans and decides to fight against King John for the establishment of a 'charter of rights'. G. P. R. James' ''Forest Days'' (1843), while not intended as a political or social commentary, is significant because it abandons the traditional dating of the Robin Hood story in the 1190s and instead places the Robin Hood legend during the Simon de Montfort rebellion (1264-67). By far the longest Robin Hood novel, standing at almost half-a-million words, is

Pierce Egan the Younger Pierce Egan the Younger (1814 – 6 July 1880) was an English journalist and novelist. The son of Pierce Egan, the author of '' Life in London'', he associated with his father in several of his works. Early life He was born in London, and his mo ...

's ''Robin Hood and Little John; or, The Merrie Men of Sherwood Forest'' (serialised 1838-1840). As in ''Ivanhoe'', Robin is a Saxon, although he is not actually outlawed in the novel until nearly the end of the first book. The novel traces Robin's life from birth to death. Egan's text was translated into two French books, ''Le prince des voleurs (The Prince of Thieves),'' and ''Robin Hood le proscrit (Robin Hood the Outlaw)'', by

Alexandre Dumas Alexandre Dumas (, ; ; born Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie (), 24 July 1802 – 5 December 1870), also known as Alexandre Dumas père (where '' '' is French for 'father', to distinguish him from his son Alexandre Dumas fils), was a French writer ...

, between 1863–64. Dumas' works were then retranslated back into English by Alfred Allinson in 1904. A 'companion' novel to Egan's text was published by J. H. Stocqueler in 1849 entitled ''Maid Marian, the Forest Queen; Being a Companion to "Robin Hood"''. The first Robin Hood novel written specifically for children appears to be Stephen Percy's ''Tales of Robin Hood'' (1840). John B. Marsh's children's book ''Robin Hood'' appeared in 1865, as did a

penny dreadful Penny dreadfuls were cheap popular serial literature produced during the nineteenth century in the United Kingdom. The pejorative term is roughly interchangeable with penny horrible, penny awful, and penny blood. The term typically referred to ...

entitled ''Little John and Will Scarlet'' (1865). The next major novel written was entitled ''

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood ''The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood of Great Renown in Nottinghamshire'' is an 1883 novel by the American illustrator and writer Howard Pyle. Pyle compiled the traditional Robin Hood ballads as a series of episodes of a coherent narrative. For ...

'' by

Howard Pyle Howard Pyle (March 5, 1853 – November 9, 1911) was an American illustrator and author, primarily of books for young people. He was a native of Wilmington, Delaware, and he spent the last year of his life in Florence, Italy. In 1894, he began ...

in 1883. In T.H. White's novel "The Sword in the Stone" (1938, later incorporated into "The Once and Future King"), young Wart (Arthur) and Kay have an adventure with a man they initially call Robin Hood, but are told that his real name is Robin Wood. His merry men refer to him as "Robin 'ood," dropping Ws instead of Hs, in the Nottinghamshire accent of the time. White's theory is supported by the fact that the French call him Robin Dubois, or Robin of the Wood. *''Robin Hood and His Merry Outlaws'' by J. Walker McSpadden (1874-1960), 1898. *''Young Robin Hood'' by

George Manville Fenn George Manville Fenn (3 January 1831 in Pimlico – 26 August 1909 in Isleworth) was a prolific English novelist, journalist, editor and educationalist. Many of his novels were written with young adults in mind. His final book was his biograp ...

, 1899, focuses on the young son, also named Robin, of the Sheriff of Nottingham learning from Robin Hood and Little John. *''Stories of Robin Hood Told to the Children''

H. E. Marshall Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall (usually credited as H. E. Marshall; 9 August 1867 – 19 September 1941) was a British author, particularly well known for her works of popular national history for children. She is best known for her 1905 work "Our I ...

, 1905. *''Robin Hood'' by Henry Gilbert, 1912. *''Robin Hood, His Deeds and Adventures,

Lucy Fitch Perkins Lucy Fitch Perkins (July 12, 1865 – March 18, 1937) was an American illustrator and writer of children's books, known best for ''Dutch Twins'' (1911) and its sequels, the ''Twins'' series. Biography Lucy Fitch was born on July 12, 1865, in ...

, 1913. *''Robin Hood'' by Paul Creswick (1866-1947), 1917. *''Robin Hood and His Merry Men'' by Sara Hawks Sterling, 1921. *''Robin Hood'' by Edith Heal, 1928. *'' Bows Against the Barons'' by

Geoffrey Trease (Robert) Geoffrey Trease FRSL (11 August 1909 – 27 January 1998) was a prolific British writer who published 113 books, mainly for children, between 1934 and 1997, starting with '' Bows Against the Barons'' and ending with ''Cloak for a Spy'' ...

, 1934, a

leftist Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy. Left-wing politics typically involve a concern for those in soci ...

depiction of Robin Hood from the viewpoint of a young-adult protagonist. *''Robin Hood: Prince of Outlaws (1937)'' by

Carola Oman Carola Oman CBE (11 May 1897 – 11 June 1978) was an English historical novelist, biographer and children's writer. She was best known for her retelling of the Robin Hood legend and for a 1946 biography of Admiral Lord Nelson.Entry for Carola O ...

, is cited as "one of the most influential of the juvenile literary publications", and remained continuously in print for at least forty years. *'' The Sword in the Stone'' by

T. H. White Terence Hanbury "Tim" White (29 May 1906 – 17 January 1964) was an English writer best known for his Arthurian novels, published together in 1958 as ''The Once and Future King''. One of his most memorable is the first of the series, '' The Sw ...

, 1939, gives his "correct" name as Robin Wood; he is one of the figures that Wart meets during his education. *''Chronicles of Robin Hood'' by

Rosemary Sutcliff Rosemary Sutcliff (14 December 1920 – 23 July 1992) was an English novelist best known for children's books, especially historical fiction and retellings of myths and legends. Although she was primarily a children's author, some of her novel ...

, 1950. *''The Adventures of Robin Hood'' by

Roger Lancelyn Green Roger Gilbert Lancelyn Green (2 November 1918 – 8 October 1987) was a British biographer and children's writer. He was an Oxford academic who formed part of the Inklings literary discussion group along with C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. ...

, 1956. *"The Silver Horn of Robin Hood" by Donald E. Cooke, 1956. *''Tales of Brave Adventure'' by

Enid Blyton Enid Mary Blyton (11 August 1897 – 28 November 1968) was an English children's writer, whose books have been worldwide bestsellers since the 1930s, selling more than 600 million copies. Her books are still enormously popular and have be ...

, 1963. *''The Outlaws of Sherwood'' by

Robin McKinley Robin McKinley (born November 16, 1952) is an American author best known for her fantasy novels and fairy tale retellings. Her 1984 novel ''The Hero and the Crown'' won the Newbery Medal as the year's best new American children's book. In 2022 ...

, 1988, a retelling in which Robin Hood is, in fact, the worst archer in his band, but whose shrewdness leads them through their dangers. *''

Lady of the Forest ''Lady of the Forest: A Novel of Sherwood'' is a 1992 historical fiction novel by American author Jennifer Roberson. A re-telling of the Robin Hood legend from the perspective of twelve characters associated with the legend, the story centers arou ...

'' (1992) and ''

Lady of Sherwood ''Lady of Sherwood'' is a 1999 historical fiction novel by American author Jennifer Roberson. It is a sequel to her 1992 novel '' Lady of the Forest'', and follows Robin Hood, Lady Marian, and their associates, as they fight injustices in the wake ...

'' (1999), both by

Jennifer Roberson Jennifer Mitchell Roberson (born October 26, 1953) is an American author of fantasy and historical literature. Personal life Roberson has lived in Arizona since 1957. Though she grew up in Phoenix Phoenix most often refers to: * Phoenix (my ...

*''Sherwood'' by

Parke Godwin Parke Godwin (January 28, 1929 – June 19, 2013) was an American writer. He won the World Fantasy Award for Best Novella in 1982 for his story "The Fire When It Comes". He was a native of New York City, where he was born in 1929. He was the g ...

, 1992, and ''Robin and the King'', 1993 *The ''Forestwife'' trilogy by

Theresa Tomlinson Theresa Tomlinson (born 1946 in Crawley, Sussex) is an English writer for children, mainly of historical fiction. She advocates giving children "the opportunity to consider many different role models and ways of life, so that they can make up th ...

, 1993–2000. *''Robin's Country'' by

Monica Furlong Monica Furlong (17 January 1930 – 14 January 2003) was a British author, journalist, and activist. She was born at Kenton near Harrow, north-west of London and died at Umberleigh in Devon. An obituary called her the Church of England's ...

, 1994. *Romance novelist

Marsha Canham Marsha Canham (born November 19, 1950) is a Canadian writer of historical romance novels since 1984. She has won two '' Romantic Times'' Lifetime Achievement Awards, as well as multiple awards for individual books including Best Historical of ...

builds the Robin Hood legend through possible historical fact in her Robin Hood Trilogy set during the reign of

King John of England King is the title given to a male monarch in a variety of contexts. The female equivalent is queen, which title is also given to the consort of a king. *In the context of prehistory, antiquity and contemporary indigenous peoples, the tit ...

: '' Through a Dark Mist'' (1991), ''

In the Shadow of Midnight ''In the Shadow of Midnight'' is a 1994 historical novel by Canadian author Marsha Canham, the second instalment of her "Medieval" trilogy inspired by the Robin Hood legend set in 13th-century England. The story centres on the rescue of Princess ...

'' (1994), and ''

The Last Arrow ''The Last Arrow'' is a 1997 historical novel by Canadian author Marsha Canham, the third instalment of her "Medieval" trilogy inspired by the Robin Hood legend set in 13th-century England. The novel was published by Dell Publishing in 1997 as a ...

'' (1997). *'' Robin Hood According to Spike Milligan'' by

Spike Milligan Terence Alan "Spike" Milligan (16 April 1918 – 27 February 2002) was an Irish actor, comedian, writer, musician, poet, and playwright. The son of an English mother and Irish father, he was born in British Raj, British Colonial India, where h ...

, 1998, parodies the legend of Robin Hood. *The ''Rowan Hood'' series by

Nancy Springer Nancy Springer (born July 5, 1948) is an American author of fantasy, young adult literature, mystery, and science fiction. Her novel ''Larque on the Wing'' won the Tiptree Award in 1994. She also received the Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers ...

, 2001–2005. *''The

King Raven Trilogy The King Raven Trilogy is a series of historical novels by American writer Stephen R. Lawhead, based on the Robin Hood legend. Lawhead relocates Robin Hood from Sherwood Forest in Nottingham to Wales, and sets the story in the late eleventh centu ...

'' (''Hood'' 006 ''Scarlet'' 007 ''Tuck''

009 009 may refer to: * OO9, gauge model railways * O09, FAA identifier for Round Valley Airport * 0O9, FAA identifier for Ward Field, see List of airports in California * British secret agent 009, see 00 Agent * BA 009, see British Airways Flight 9 * ...

Stephen R. Lawhead Stephen R. Lawhead (born 2 July 1950) is a UK-based American writer known for his works of fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction, particularly Celtic historical fiction. He has written over 28 novels and numerous children's and non- ...

, 2006, relocates the Robin Hood legends to

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...

. *In Lynn Viehl's Darkyn book series Robin Hood is one of the Darkyn (which are vampires). He gets his own romance story in the final novel ''Stay the Night'' (January 2009). *''Robin The Hoodie'' reimagines Robin Hood as a young troublemaker in modern-day Nottingham, complete with

ASBO An anti-social behaviour order (ASBO ) is a civil order made in Great Britain against a person who had been shown, on the balance of evidence, to have engaged in anti-social behaviour. The orders were introduced by Prime Minister Tony Blair i ...

(2009). *In ''Hodd'', author

Adam Thorpe Adam Thorpe (born 5 December 1956) is a British poet and novelist A novelist is an author or writer of novels, though often novelists also write in other genres of both fiction and non-fiction. Some novelists are professional novelists, ...

explores the theory that the legendary Robin Hood is the mythologized creation of the narrator based on his time spent with the real outlaw. *

Angus Donald Angus Donald (born 1965 in China) is a British writer of historical fiction. As of 2020, he has released ten novels and three novellas that loosely follow the story of Alan-a-Dale. Biography Donald's parents being British diplomats, much of h ...

's ''Outlaw Chronicles'', consisting of ''

Outlaw An outlaw, in its original and legal meaning, is a person declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, all legal protection was withdrawn from the criminal, so that anyone was legally empowered to persecute or kill them ...

'' (2009), '' Holy Warrior'' (2010), ''

King's Man ''King's Man'' is the third novel of the eight-part ''Outlaw Chronicles'' series by British writer of historical fiction Angus Donald, released on 21 July 2011 through Little, Brown and Company. Plot summary This novel continues the story of ...

'' (2011), ''Warlord'' (2012), ''Grail Knight'' (2013) and ''The Iron Castle'' (2014) feature Robin Hood as Robert Odo. *"The Thief, The Sheriff, His Bitch, and a Bastard" (2011) by H. E. Coleman *''Robin: Lady of Legend'' (2012) by R. M. ArceJaeger features a woman as Robin Hood. *''Scarlet'' (2012) by A. C. Gaughen * ''Greenwode'' (2013) and its sequels by J. Tullos Hennig are a reworking of Robin Hood stories and other legends (such as '' The Tale of Gamelyn''). The series portrays Robin Hood and

as siblings, with the primary romantic relationship between Robin and

Guy of Gisborne Sir Guy of Gisbourne (also spelled Gisburne, Gisborne, Gysborne, or Gisborn) is a character from the Robin Hood legends of English folklore. He first appears in "Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne" (Child Ballad 118), where he is an assassin who atte ...

. *''The Forest Lord Series (Wolf's Head'' (2013), ''The Wolf and the Raven'' (2014), ''Rise of the Wolf'' (2015) and ''Blood of the Wolf'' (2016)) by Steven A. McKay sets the legend in the 14th century, and also includes a number of novellas featuring Friar Tuck, Little John and Will Scaflock. * ''The Devices Trilogy'' by

Philip Purser-Hallard Philip Purser-Hallard (born 1971 as Philip Hallard) is a fantasy, science fiction and crime author described by the British Fantasy Society as "the best kept secret in British genre writing".

, starting with ''

The Pendragon Protocol ''The Pendragon Protocol'' is an urban fantasy thriller by Philip Purser-Hallard, published in 2014 by Snowbooks. It is the first volume in the ''Devices Trilogy''. Plot summary The novel introduces the Circle, a Crown-sponsored British paramil ...

'' (2014) and continuing with ''The Locksley Exploit'' (2015) *''Lady Thief'' (2014) by A. C. Gaughen. *''Lion Heart'' (2015) by A. C. Gaughen. *''Marian'' (2016) by Ella Lyons. A young adult novel retelling from Marian's point of view, in which the Robin Hood she falls in love with is a girl. *''A finder of trails'' (2016) by Nick Collins. A retelling of the story featuring a young Robin and the Sheriff of Nottingham as friends, and recounts an adventure on which they embark together. *''Great deeds done beyond the seas'' (2016) by Nick Collins. The second instalment of the two-part book series featuring a young Robin and Sheriff of Nottingham before they were adversaries and the conclusion of their adventure. *''The Hood Game: Rise of the Greenwood King'' (2016) by J.P. Reedman. First in a series reminiscent of TV's Robin of Sherwood. *''Nottingham'' (2019) by Nathan Makaryk. *''Brightfall'' (2019) by Jaime Lee Moyer. Follows Marian ten years after the normal story, after which Robin secluded himself in a monastery for unclear reasons. *''The Ghosts of Sherwood'' (2020) by Carrie Vaughn. Follows Robin, Marian, and their children twenty years after the normal story. *''The Heirs of Locksley'' (2020) by Carrie Vaughn. Follows the children of Robin and Marian. Sequel to The Ghosts of Sherwood.

Films and television series

Music

*The Opera of ''

'' was written by

George Alexander Macfarren Sir George Alexander Macfarren (2 March 181331 October 1887) was an English composer and musicologist. Life George Alexander Macfarren was born in London on 2 March 1813 to George Macfarren, a dancing-master, dramatic author and journalist, wh ...

(libretto:

John Oxenford John Oxenford (12 August 1812 – 21 February 1877) was an English dramatist, critic and translator. Life Oxenford was born in Camberwell, London, his father a prosperous merchant. Whilst he was privately educated, it is reported that he was m ...

) and first produced at

Her Majesty's Theatre Her Majesty's Theatre is a West End theatre situated on Haymarket, London, Haymarket in the City of Westminster, London. The present building was designed by Charles J. Phipps and was constructed in 1897 for actor-manager Herbert Beerbohm Tree, ...

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

in 1860. It was written for the voice of

Sims Reeves John Sims Reeves (21 October 1821 – 25 October 1900) was an English operatic, oratorio and ballad tenor vocalist during the mid-Victorian era. Reeves began his singing career in 1838 but continued his vocal studies until 1847. He soon establ ...

, a star

tenor A tenor is a type of classical music, classical male singing human voice, voice whose vocal range lies between the countertenor and baritone voice types. It is the highest male chest voice type. The tenor's vocal range extends up to C5. The lo ...

, who played Locksley, and was first performed by him with Mme Lemmens-Sherrington (Marian), Mme Lemaire,

Charles Santley Sir Charles Santley (28 February 1834 – 22 September 1922) was an English opera and oratorio singer with a ''bravura''From the Italian verb ''bravare'', to show off. A florid, ostentatious style or a passage of music requiring technical skill ...

and Mr. Parkinson, under the direction of Sir Charles Halle. * W. H. Birch wrote an operetta called '' The Merrie Men of Sherwood Forest'' which was performed in 1871. *The romantic Opera ''Robin Hood'', op. 34, was written by the German composer

Albert Dietrich Albert Hermann Dietrich (28 August 182920 November 1908), was a German composer and conductor. In addition to his work, he is remembered for his friendship with Johannes Brahms. Dietrich was born at Golk, near Meissen. From 1851 he studied com ...

(1829–1908). It was first performed in

Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt, officially Frankfurt am Main (; Hessian: , "Frank ford on the Main"), is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. Its 791,000 inhabitants as of 2022 make it the fifth-most populous city in Germany. Located on its na ...

in 1879. A new production of this almost forgotten opera was given at the

Theater Erfurt The Theater Erfurt is a German municipal theatre located in Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia. The main stage is in a building in the Brühlervorstadt, completed in 2003. The theatre offers musical theatre and concerts, played by the Philharmonisc ...

on March 20, 2011. *Another opera called ''Robin Hood'' was written by

Reginald De Koven Henry Louis Reginald De Koven (April 3, 1859January 16, 1920) was an American music critic and prolific composer, particularly of comic operas. Biography De Koven was born in Middletown, Connecticut, and moved to Europe in 1870, where he receive ...

and

Clement Scott Clement William Scott (6 October 1841 – 25 June 1904) was an influential English theatre critic for ''The Daily Telegraph'' and other journals, and a playwright, lyricist, translator and travel writer, in the final decades of the 19th century ...

in 1889 and premiered in Chicago on June 9, 1890, with

Jessie Bartlett Davis Jessie Bartlett Davis (1860 – May 14, 1905) was an American operatic singer and actress from Morris, Illinois, who was billed as "America's Representative Contralto". Opera and acting She was born Jessie Fremont Bartlett, one of ten child ...

as Alan a-Dale. * "Robin Hood" by

Louis Prima Louis Leo Prima (December 7, 1910 – August 24, 1978) was an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and trumpeter. While rooted in New Orleans jazz, swing music, and jump blues, Prima touched on various genres throughout his career: he forme ...

and Bob Miketta (1944). * The theme from the 1955 television series ''

The Adventures of Robin Hood ''The Adventures of Robin Hood'' is a 1938 American Technicolor swashbuckler film from Warner Bros. Pictures. It was produced by Hal B. Wallis and Henry Blanke, directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley, and stars Errol Flynn, Olivia de H ...

'' was covered by

Gary Miller Gary Miller may refer to: *Gary Miller (politician) (born 1948), American politician * Michael Dunn (actor) (Gary Neil Miller, 1934–1973), American actor * Gary L. Miller (1947–1969), American soldier and Medal of Honor recipient * Gary Miller ...

and released as a single (Pye N15020) in 1956. It reached #10 on the UK charts. * T. Rex's 1973 hit

20th Century Boy "20th Century Boy" is a song by T. Rex, written by Marc Bolan, released as a stand-alone single on 2 March 1973. It entered in the UK Singles Chart at number 3, on 10 March 1973 and peaked three weeks in a row at that position. It stayed a ...

opens with the line "Friends say it's fine, friends say it's good, everybody says it's just like Robin Hood". * The 1973 Disney animated film included five original songs: "Whistle Stop", a mostly instrumental piece, "Oo-De-Lally" and " Not in Nottingham", written and performed by

Roger Miller Roger Dean Miller Sr. (January 2, 1936 – October 25, 1992) was an American singer-songwriter, widely known for his honky-tonk-influenced novelty songs and his chart-topping Country music, country and pop hits "King of the Road (song), Ki ...

, "

Love Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest Interpersonal relationship, interpersonal affection, to the simplest pleasure. An example of this range of ...

", written by George Bruns and Floyd Huddleston and performed by the latter's then-wife Nancy Adams, and "The Phony King of England", performed by

Phil Harris Wonga Philip Harris (June 24, 1904 – August 11, 1995) was an American actor, comedian, musician and songwriter. He was an orchestra leader and a pioneer in radio situation comedy, first with ''The Jack Benny Program'', then in ''The Phil Harri ...

with a dance sequence traced from ''

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is a 19th-century German fairy tale that is today known widely across the Western world. The Brothers Grimm published it in 1812 in the first edition of their collection ''Grimms' Fairy Tales'' and numbered as Ta ...

'', ''

The Jungle Book ''The Jungle Book'' (1894) is a collection of stories by the English author Rudyard Kipling. Most of the characters are animals such as Shere Khan the tiger and Baloo the bear, though a principal character is the boy or "man-cub" Mowgli, ...

'', and ''The Aristocats''. * ''Legend (Robin of Sherwood soundtrack), Legend'', an album by Irish band Clannad, is the soundtrack for the ITV television series ''Robin of Sherwood'' (1984). It featured the main theme and single, "Robin (The Hooded Man)". *Composer Robert Steadman, who lived for some time in Nottingham, has written 2 musical compositions using the Mythology, myths of Robin Hood: ** "The Dethe of Robyn Hood" (1995) uses fragments of a mediaeval ballad as its text and is scored for narrator and wind band. ** "Robin Hood & Little John" (2005) was commissioned by Southwell Choral Society as was premiered by them in Southwell Minster. It sets an Anonymity, anonymous mediaeval ballad about the first meeting of Robin Hood and Little John and is scored for choir and large ensemble. * "Poor Boy (The Greenwood)" is a song composed by Jeff Lynne and performed by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) on their 1974 concept album "Eldorado" (subtitled "A Symphony by the Electric Light Orchestra"). The album is a collection of songs that tell the story of a dreamer who journeys into fantasy worlds to escape the disillusionment of his mundane reality. Track 5 "Poor Boy" forms the fourth dream and has the character fantasizing he is one of Robin Hood's merry men. * The progressive acoustic band Nickel Creek recorded a song entitled "Robin and Marian" on their Nickel Creek (album), eponymous album. * "Robin Hood" is the first single from German heavy metal band Edguy's 2011 album ''Age of the Joker''. The music video depicts a humorous version of the legend (e.g. the quarterstaff match with Little John being decided with rock-paper-scissors), with the band's lead singer Tobias Sammet taking the role of Robin Hood and the other band members as unnamed Merry Men. * In 2017, pianist John Burke (American pianist), John Burke scored an outdoor production of ''Robin Hood.'' * "The Legend of Robin Hood (album), The Legend of Robin Hood" is singer/songwriter Chris de Burgh's twenty-second original album, released in September 2021 by Rockware.

Video games

The character of Robin Hood appears, either as a playable character or as a major supporting character, in the following games: *''Robin to the Rescue'' (Solar Software, 1983) *''Robin Hood'' (Xonox, 1983) *''Super Robin Hood'' (Codemasters, 1985) *''Robin of the Wood'' (Odin Compter Graphics, 1985) *''Robin of Sherwood: The Touchstones of Rhiannon'' (Adventure International, 1985) *''Defender of the Crown'' (Cinemaware, 1987) *''The Curse of Sherwood'' (Mastertronic, 1987) *''The Adventures of Robin Hood (video game), The Adventures of Robin Hood'' (Millennium Interactive, 1991) *''Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (video game), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves'' (Virgin Games, 1991) *''Conquests of the Longbow: The Legend of Robin Hood'' (Sierra Entertainment, 1991) *''Robin Hood: Legend Quest'' (Codemasters, 1993) *''Defender Of The Crown II'' (Commodore Electronics, 1993) *''Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings'' (Microsoft, 1999) *''Robin Hood'' (EA/Light & Shadow Productions, 2001) *''Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood'' (Wanadoo, 2002) *''Robin Hood: Defender of the Crown'' (Capcom, 2003) *''Robin Hood — The Siege'' (PS1, 2004) *''Robin Hood's Quest'' (Oxygen Interactive, 2007) *''Fate/Extra'' (Epoch/Type-Moon, 2010) *''Defender Of The Crown: Heroes Live Forever'' (eGames, 2007) *''Robin Hood: The Return of Richard'' (Nordcurrent, 2010) *''Robin's Quest: A Legend Born'' (Gogii Games, 2010) *''Crusader Kings II'' (Paradox Interactive, 2012) *''Fate/Grand Order'' (Delight Works/Type-Moon, 2015) *There is a manifestation of Robin Hood in Persona 5, as he is one of the two Personas of Goro Akechi. However, Loki is his actual Persona, which fuses with Robin Hood to become Hereward in the true ending of Persona 5 Royal * ''Hood: Outlaws & Legends'' (2021) * In the video game Pokémon Sun and Moon, ''Pokémon Sun'' and ''Moon'', Decidueye is a dual Grass/Ghost-type Pokémon, the evolved form of Dartrix, and the final evolved form of Rowlet, the Grass-Flying type starter of the Alola region, has been frequently compared to Robin Hood.

Strategy games

*Avalon Hill published a board game based on the legend called ''The Legend of Robin Hood''.

Comic books

*As a public domain character with an established reputation, Robin Hood (DC Comics), Robin Hood was an attractive feature for comic book publishers from the birth of the medium. The first continuing Robin Hood stories were written and drawn by Sven Elven and appeared in the DC Comics title, ''New Adventure Comics'' vol. 1 #23 through #30 (1938). There was also a Robin Hood back up story in Green Hornet #7 through #10, written by S. M. Iger. * In 1935, the Toronto Telegram published the newspaper comic strip "Robin Hood and Company" by writer Ted McCall and (initially) artist Charles Snelgrove. It appeared in various other papers, and in 1941 was converted into comic book form by Anglo-American Publishing as one of the first Canadian comic books. *A small renaissance of Robin Hood comics occurred in the late 1950s, starting with the little-known "Rodger of Sherwood" stories in the ''Young Heroes'' anthology series #39 through #37 by American Comics Group. That same year, Robin got his first title comic book from Magazine Enterprises which ran for eight issues, three with a Richard Greene photo cover. Brown Shoe Co., maker of Robin Hood Shoes, published seven giveaway issues starting in 1956. Robin soon attracted attention from more established comic publishers such as Charlton Comics, who retitled ''Danger and Adventure'' to ''Robin Hood and His Merry Men'' starting with issue #28. Quality comics published ''Tales of Robin Hood'' until issue #7, then was bought by DC Comics who continued until issue #13 and included a crossover with Wonder Woman, making it the longest lasting English language Robin Hood series. DC also published Robin Hood stories in their ''Brave and the Bold'' anthology series from #5 to #15. *In the 1960s, Dell published a couple of Robin Hood one-shots, one a re-telling of the traditional legend, the other a Disney TV show tie-in. Then, in 1974, Gold Key Comics produced a 7 issue tie-in with the Disney animated film. Eclipse published a three-part miniseries in 1991, perhaps a tie in with the Kevin Costner film. Finally, there have been various one-shots produced by Moonstone Books and Avalon Communications. *In 1991, DC produced a series called ''Outlaws'', with writing by Michael Jan Friedman and art by Luke McDonnell. It was a re-imagining of the legend set in a future, somewhat post-apocalyptic, time- something akin to the future depicted in films such as ''Mad Max''. *Also in 1991, Eclipse Comics published a three issue mini series. * In 1998, Caliber Comics launched a four-issue mini-series about Robin Hood's daughter called "Robyn of Sherwood" by writer Paul D. Storrie and various artists. Many years later the comic was republished with new art by Rob Davis (who had drawn the final issue of the original series.) Storrie also wrote other Robin Hood comics, some adapting the original ballads. *Robin Hood and his band appear in one issue of the Vertigo Comics series ''Fables (comic), Fables''. Along with other folk heroes, they give their lives to buy time for the last ship to flee to the mundane world. *In 2007, Xeric award-winning cartoonist Steve LeCouilliard began a comedy web-comic called "Much the Miller's Son

telling the story of Robin Hood from the point of view of a minor character. It has since been collected in two volumes with a third projected for summer 2011. *The superhero Green Arrow possesses obvious traits of inspiration that originate from Robin Hood; most notably being a skilled archer, swordsman, and an affinity for wearing green. *The superhero Robin (superhero), Robin's appearance was modeled after Robin Hood, with his name taken from him as well *The Sonic the Hedgehog (comics), Sonic the Hedgehog comic series from Archie Comics features a band of Freedom Fighters based upon Robin Hood and his Merry Men, with associated characters reflecting other figures in the Robin Hood mythos. Robin serves as the inspiration for Hedgehog king Rob O' The Hedge, with an Echidna wife and son named Mari-An and Jon (obviously alluding to Maid Marian and Little John). Further allies include the Deer Friar Buck, Allan Quail, and Munch the Rat; the group was originally pitted against the villainous High Sheriff of Snottingham. *In 2012, Zenescope Entertainment, Zenescope published ''Robyn Hood,'' a re-imagining of the character with a female protagonist. *In 2013, the Image Comics book Five Ghosts featured a literary ghost with similarities to Robin Hood. *In 2018, Oni Press published the graphic novel ''Merry Men,'' a queer re-imagining of the Robin Hood legend, written by Robert Rodi and illustrated by Jackie Lewis.

Other

* The Green Feather Movement of 1954 referenced the Merry men as a protest against anti-communism. * 2000 Year Old Man, The 2000 Year Old Man, who is played by Mel Brooks and first performed publicly in the 1960s, satirises the Robin Hood legend, by saying that "he stole from everyone and kept everything." * In 1987, Iron Crown Enterprises produced ''Robin Hood the Role Playing Campaign, Robin Hood: The Role Playing Campaign'' book written by Graham Staplehurst, a supplement for the ''Rolemaster'', ''Fantasy Hero'' and ''Middle-earth Role Playing'' role-playing games. This book provided rules for running adventures in the setting of the Robin Hood legends. * A Robin Hood Foundation was created in New York City in 1988 as a charitable organisation. * In 1992, Steve Jackson Games released ''GURPS Robin Hood'', a supplement for their GURPS, eponymous role-playing game system. This book provided rules for GURPS players to have adventures in the medieval Robin Hood setting, as well as for running Robin Hood-themed adventures in other settings, such as the Western fiction, Old West or a cyberpunk future.GURPS Robin Hood
at Boardgamegeek. Retrieved 28 July 2019. Peggy Schroeck and Robert M. Schroeck wrote ''GURPS Robin Hood''. While the book itself is out of print, it is currently available in electronic format. * In 2000, in Elmira, Ontario, a local high school theater teacher founded a festival called "Robin in the Hood (RITH)" which takes place in Gibson Park at the beginning of June. In 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19, the festival went on a one year hiatus, tried a virtual festival in October 2021, and returned in 2022. * In 2007, the University of Nottingham offered a Master of Arts, MA course on the subject of Robin Hood. * Also in 2007, the Tony Award-winning musical ''Curtains (musical), Curtains'', follows the mystery of a star named Jessica Cranshaw in "Robbin' Hood" of the Old West, a western version of the Robin Hood storyline who is murdered on her opening night. * Robin Hood became the official mascot of Nottingham Forest Football Club at the beginning of the 2007–08 football season, replacing Sherwood the Bear. * The Green Party of England and Wales, Green Party named their proposed tax on banks in their 2015 manifesto after Robin Hood. * The Labour Party (UK), Labour Party pledged to enact a 'Robin Hood tax' on the financial sector if they win the 2017 general election. * In the newspaper comic strip ''Flash Gordon'' by Alex Raymond, the character of Prince Barin bears strong similarities to Robin Hood. These similarities include wearing green, using a bow, living in the forest and being a rebel against an unjust regime. * The newspaper comic Wizard of Id features a minor character named "Robbing Hood", an obvious pun on Robin Hood's name. * Lego had a theme based on Robin Hood and his merry men, called ''Lego Castle#Forestmen .281987.E2.80.931990.29, Forestmen''. * In archery, a "Robin Hood" is the term used for an arrow splitting the shaft of an arrow already in the target."A modern-day Robin Hood
. ''The World'', 15 May 2010.