Robin Hood

Roger Lancelyn Green's Robin Hood retells the classic tales of the legendary outlaw and his band of Merry Men in medieval England. The story follows Robin's transformation from nobleman to forest-dwelling hero who stands against the corrupt authorities of Nottingham. The narrative includes the core elements of the Robin Hood legend: archery contests, encounters with Little John and Friar Tuck, clashes with the Sheriff of Nottingham, and acts of rebellion against Prince John. Green incorporates historical context and authentic medieval details while maintaining the adventure and excitement central to these tales. Through episodic chapters that function like interconnected short stories, readers experience Robin Hood's famous exploits in Sherwood Forest. The story features the traditional cast of characters, including Maid Marian, Will Scarlet, and Allan a Dale. This retelling explores timeless themes of justice, loyalty, and the conflict between law and morality in medieval society. Green's version preserves the spirit of oral storytelling traditions while presenting the legend in an accessible form for modern readers.

Readers appreciate Green's faithful adaptation of the original Robin Hood ballads and legends, with many noting it maintains the medieval atmosphere while remaining accessible to young readers. Parents and teachers report it works well as a read-aloud book for ages 8-12. Likes: - Clear, straightforward storytelling - Historical details and context - Traditional portrayal of characters - Family-friendly content Dislikes: - Formal language can challenge some young readers - Some find the pacing slow in parts - Multiple storylines can be hard to follow - Dense paragraphs and small text in some editions Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,841 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (389 ratings) "Perfect balance of action and historical detail" - Goodreads reviewer "Too complicated for my 9-year-old to read alone" - Amazon parent review "The archaic language adds authenticity but requires patience" - Goodreads reviewer

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🏹 Roger Lancelyn Green was a member of the famous Inklings literary group alongside C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, meeting regularly in Oxford to discuss their writings. 📚 The book draws from over 40 original medieval ballads and stories about Robin Hood, carefully weaving them into a cohesive narrative while maintaining historical authenticity. 🌳 The oldest known written reference to Robin Hood dates back to 1377, appearing in William Langland's poem "Piers Plowman," though the tales were already popular in oral tradition. 👑 In Green's version, Robin Hood serves King Richard the Lionheart, but historically, most early Robin Hood tales placed him in the reign of Edward I or Edward II, over a century later. 🎭 The character of Maid Marian, featured prominently in Green's book, was not part of the original Robin Hood legends but was added in the 16th century from French pastoral plays.