John William Walker

Shows the factual background to the legends, and produces extensive documentary records of the real historical person, in service to Edward III (not Richard I) from 1324

If you are interested in the core legends of English folklore you'll want this book on your shelf. It pulls together the original ballads which have been recycled by a hundred novels, paintings, films and TV series - here we have the source from which it was all taken. All the available "authentic" (ie anonymous, folk-origin) verses are printed, their contemporary popularity shown, their influence on named authors such as Langland, Ben Jonson and Samuel Butler traced, and the later tales and verses looked at in brief.

In addition to the text of the ballads, there is a good amount of commentary picking apart the clues from contemporary records. Robin Hood's historical appearance in court rolls and the like is examined, and he is placed in the correct historical period (the reign of Edward II rather than of Richard I); chapter 2 gives considerable detail and is very interesting to anyone who ever doubted that Hood was a real person. The last part of the book deals with Robin Hood's legendary death and the real story of Kirklees Priory, his alleged gravestone and various spurious traditions, and the alleged grave and bow of Little John.

The style, although scholarly, is far from dry and the information comes across clearly. A hugely disparate amount of material, much of it fragmentary, is drawn together well. Not a light read, but a fascinating one.… (meer)