The inspiration for disneys robin hood wasnt actually. Robin hood 1973 original motion picture soundtrack. The merry adventures of robin hood of great renown in nottinghamshire is an 1883 novel by the american illustrator and writer howard pyle. However the first known literary reference to robin hood and his men was in 77, and the sloane manuscripts in the british museum have an account of robin s life which states that he was born around 1160 in lockersley most likely modern day loxley in south yorkshire. As robin hood returns to our television screens, tom dewe mathews looks back on the mccarthyera version, which provided the perfect vehicle for hollywoods blacklisted scriptwriters. Howard pyle was an american illustrator and author, primarily of books for young people. The sheriff of nottingham is outwitted by robin hood and his men on more than one occasion. He begins with a survey of the earliest ballads and stories about robin hood. It was the first time the ballads of robin hood had been collected and woven into a single narrative, but pyle was happy to alter the original stories. This book remains a classic for a number of reasons. Feb 17, 2011 the origins of the robin hood legend are very obscure. This novel was apparently the basis for the 1948 movie prince of thieves, starring joh hall see movies, and was inspired by pierce egan the younger, who wrote robin hood and little john.
Interesting facts about robin hood interesting literature. Scribners published howard pyles the merry adventures of robin hood of. Twm sion cati earned a reputation as a sort of welsh robin hood, roaming the rugged west and mid part of wales, robbing from the rich, but somehow forgetting the bit about giving to the poor. Additionally, the ballad mentions a church, thought to be st. One certain fact is that he was a north country man, with his traditional haunts as an outlaw in sherwood. Storrie also wrote other robin hood comics, some adapting the original ballads. A couple weeks ago, i decided that i wanted to tackle a robin hood movie, in honor of my friend liz shipes new play, a lady in waiting, and went to netflix, where i ran across the disney version. Dr mike ibeji is a roman military historian who was an associate producer on simon schamas a history of britain. The best book on the possible actuality of robin hood is j. Goldman the major portion of this book is goldmans original screenplay for the. The merry adventures of robin hood by deborah kestel. Feb 03, 2011 i was very guilty of underestimating this book because i felt like the title and cover art placed it in that massproduced, throwaway category although i reckon that 11 year olds will love it, and i fear im being a bit of a book snob. This quote gives the audience a glimpse into the sheriff of nottinghams true motivation for defeating robin hood. If youre interested in reading more adventures of robin hood, i strongly recommend the robin hood project at the university of rochester.
The first literary reference to robin hood comes from a passing reference in piers plowman, written some time around 77, and the main body. Robin hood, champion of the poor and oppressed, stands against the cruel power of prince john and the brutal sheriff of nottingham. During this period, his merry men began to accrete together from various sources as robin was embellished with details like so many layers of varnish. Uhoh, it looks like your internet explorer is out of date.
Robin hood is a heroic outlaw in english folklore who, according to legend, was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. Composer reginald dekoven seems to have been quite interested in historical fiction and outlaws. Unravelling the identity of the real robin hood ancient origins. A controversial literary critic and commentator, joseph ritson 17521803 made his reputation identifying and exposing literary forgeries. The earliest is little geste of robyn hode and his meiny. Robin hood became a popular folk figure in the latemedieval period, and continues to be widely represented in.
Howard pyles merry adventures of robin hood remains the gold standard of robin hood childrens books even a century after its original publication. Robin hood was standing one day under a green tree by the roadside. The series began in 1863 and for the next thirty years crane was preeminent as an illustrator. However, when cagney walked off set, the films producer hal b. A story of robin hood a famous legend whispering books. The plays robin hood and the friar and robin hood and the potter were written specifically for the may day games in 1560 and were based on earlier ballads of the same name. You cant go wrong with these classic editions beautiful books and full color plate illustrations these by the author howard pyle. The most famous of these was sherwood forest, where the king often went to hunt deer. The project gutenberg ebook of the merry adventures of robin. A skull with a legendary story vivid reimagining of the legendary hero robin hood by bestselling author of war horse.
A gest of robyn hode robbins library digital projects. In the 19th century, writer illustrators like howard pyle adapted the. The history of the robin hood legend at the smithsonian. Unravelling the identity of the real robin hood ancient. Walter crane 18451915 designed and illustrated the first successful series of massproduced color books of high quality. The project gutenberg ebook of the merry adventures of. His enduring legacy, however, stems from his interest in the legend of robin hood. The adventures of robin hood by howard pyle, paperback. Perhaps no one will argue with the statement that the most famous robber in the world is robin hood. The merry adventures of robin hood of great renown, in. Specially written how robin hood turned butcher story. He changed pirates from seafaring hoodlums to iconic historical figures. Feb 05, 2019 in 19thcentury england numerous scholars embarked on a search for robin hood after the publication of sir walter scotts ivanhoe in 1820. The novel is notable for taking the subject of robin hood, which had bee.
Robin hood existed by michael reuel, published 2016 by rule hard publishing. I just finished reading a fantastic book called, the adventures of robin hood written by howard pyle. He was a member of the oxford literary group the inklings, along with j. Born in 1853, pyle originally worked as an artist, specialising in book. The problem with writing a book about the historical basis of robin hood is that theres very little to go on. Kgr 2based on the traditional english ballad, this picture book concentrates on the episode when the sheriff of nottingham tries to capture robin. Jason connery has appeared in over 30 films, television movies and series, combined, since his breakthrough role as robin hood in the uk television series robin hood 1984 in 1985. I am hoping that perhaps she has talked about this in an interview. Fictional books robin hood the facts and the fiction. Some 400 years later, a similar story is told about the american outlaw. The folkloric hero robin hood has appeared many times, in many different variations.
Theresa tomlinsons 1993 the forestwife gives us a fifteenyear o. Pyle describes bouts of jousting and knightly jealousies played out in. The first clear reference to rhymes of robin hood is from the alliterative poem piers plowman, thought to have been composed in the 70s, followed shortly afterwards by a quotation of a later common proverb, many men speak of robin hood and never shot his bow, in friar daws reply c. My novel the robin hood chronicles gets most of its information from holts book, though i am more positive in my. The subject of ballads, books and films, robin hood has proven to be one.
Robin hood is a legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in english folklore and. The cultural influence of american author and illustrator howard pyle should not be underestimated. A great many songs were made up about robin hood, and these songs were sung in the cottages and huts all over the land for hundreds of years afterward. Consisting of a series of episodes in the story of the english outlaw robin hood and his band of merry men, the novel compiles traditional material into a coherent narrative in a colorful, invented old english idiom that preserves some flavor of the ballads, and adapts it for children. Over the course of 700 years, the outlaw from nottinghamshire who robs. Dec 28, 2014 this claim can be found in one of the earliest written ballads of robin hood, the 15 th century a gest of robyn hode. How much did robin hood know when she wrote the first book. While he did preserve some of the original content, he essentially re wrote the entire set of stories in order to form a cohesive narrative and make them ideal reading for children with hero. The novel merry adventures of robin hood who got famous in nottingham shire, author howard pyle wrote inspired by the tales and legends about a famous outlaw from the th century who was helping the poor by taking away from rich. It is a compilation of five different stories in verse about robin and his men. When the story is traced back to its 14thcentury beginnings, the figure of robin hood changes with time. The first literary reference to robin hood comes from a passing reference in piers plowman, written some time around 77, and the main.
I have always been interested in medieval times and stories about outlaws. How much did robin hood know when she wrote the first book about fitz. The son of sean connery and diane cilento, connery grew up in london and scotland. In the first book he both wrote and illustrated, pyle unified the robin hood stories and made them more palatable for children, the heroic aspect of robin hood was promoted rather than the more murderous and outlawish aspect of the legends. It was also walliss decision to keep maid marian, when the original scriptwriter wanted to dump her character. While he was listening to the birds among the leaves, he saw a young man passing by. Nov 20, 2003 when robin hood first heard the news of this he was in lincoln town, and hastening back to sherwood forest he soon called all his merry men about him and spoke to them thus. This young man was dressed in a fine suit of bright red cloth. Spaghetti book club the merry adventures of robin hood. For a better shopping experience, please upgrade now. In langlands work a poorly educated parson repents and confesses that he is ignorant of latin.
Volume 30, number 2 winter 2003 robin hood comes of age. Taking refuge in the vast sherwood forest with his band of men, he remains determined to outwit his enemies. Here is a little story that is told in one of those songs. In those days the upper classes, from the king to all his cronies, routinely engaged in extortion. In the book it had a lot of little storiesadventures that robin hood and merry yeomen went on, each telling a difference tale and teaching a thing or two. Born in 1853, pyle originally worked as an artist, specialising in book illustration. Machan wrote, this was not the original idea behind the story. What disguise does will stutely wear when he spies on the sheriffs soldiers. A true tale of robin hood, or, a brief touch of the life and death of that renowned outlaw, robert, earl of huntington, vulgarly called robin hood, who lived and dyed in a. The 20th century grafted still further details on to the original legends. The often told legend of robin hood relates that in the days of king richard the lionheart, robin of loxley, a yeoman of nottinghamshire, who, being driven to outlawry during the misrule. Robin hood lived in england during the time of king henry the second. First, the author had the advantage of centuries of other tales, ballads and other sources in which to glean from and indeed add to, to formulate his own take on the man and his men. This was first written by the american author howard pyle its full title was the merry adventures of robin hood.
James cagney was the studios original choice for robin hood. In our view, this hero is purely positive, he is an ardent supporter of the poor and deceived, always ready to restore justice. The book contains a series of stories about robin hood and his merry band. A tale known as robin hood and the monk was written about 1450, but the author is. Kids of all ages will cheer for this classic tale based on the traditional story of robin hood. And thou shalt be one of my string, to range in the wood with bold robin hood.
He stole from those who stole from the poor and returned the loot to the rightful owners. The subject of ballads, books and films, robin hood has proven to be one of englands most enduring folk heroes. Traditionally depicted as being dressed in lincoln green, he is often portrayed as robbing from the rich and giving to the poor alongside his band of merry men. It is thought that twm had some formal education and from the tales told, appears to have developed from a common thief and highwayman into quite a crafty. Set in 1194, scotts novel takes place in england during. In the end, it is robin hood and his friends who have the last laugh. Mary magdalene, campsall, in doncaster, south yorkshire, where robin hood married maid marian. Directed by otto bathurst, robin hood stars taron egerton in the title role.
The merry adventures of robin hood summary book reports. There is some debate on whether robin hood was an actual person or just an interesting legend, but there is some evidence to support that he may have lived in the 12th century. I enjoyed robin hood vs the undead plague heartily. Apr 06, 2020 the most common collection of robin hood stories, the merry adventures of robin hood of great renown in nottinghamshire, was written and illustrated by howard pyle in 1883. This infuriates the sheriff, largely because he is widely mocked for losing so frequently to robin hood. How much of the story was planned when she wrote the first trilogy with fitz. The classic story of social justice and outrageous cunning.
That task is the central purpose for david baldwin in writing this book. One reason i enjoyed this book was because i enjoyed looking at the wonderful illustrations. The merry adventures of robin hood quotes gradesaver. They were written many, many years ago by men whose names have been forgotten. In the rude days of king richard and king john there were many great woods in england. Who does robin hood battle on a log bridge for over an hour. The merry adventures of robin hood by howard pyle is a superb book.
The book the merry adventures of robin hood is a classical. Now hearken, my merry men all, to the news that i have brought from lincoln town today. Robin hood by gilbert, henry and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. In 19thcentury england numerous scholars embarked on a search for robin hood after the publication of sir walter scotts ivanhoe in 1820. It is commonly accepted wisdom that one of the greatest film scores in all of hollywood history is composer erich wolfgang korngold oscar winning music for warner bros. The adventures of robin hood by roger lancelyn green. Wallis made the decision to cast errol flynn, against the studios wishes. Some good information concerning robert hode of wakefield see the many robin hoods pp.
When they recognized each other, there was much rejoicing and she entered the band. Also, i liked the picture when the friar was carrying. He transformed robin hood from a bandit to a heroic defender of the weak. Historical books robin hood the facts and the fiction. The merry adventures of robin hood by howard pyle scribners 1883. While some robin hood books are clearly intended for young readers, others blur. The adventures of robin hood 1938 film score songs. To read more on michaels approach see his book, robin hood existed. In the original version of the legend, robin hood did just the opposite.
The first robin hood novel written, although not published, is robert. The picture of robin climbing a tree with three coyotes under him looked funny to me because robin looked like a frightened cat. Historic origins of the real robin hood national geographic. He was a famous outlaw who lived in sherwood forest near the town of nottingham with his band of merry men. Robin hood an historical enquiry, john bellamy, 1985, indiana university press, bloomington, indiana.
I just finished the first book in the last trilogy, and i have been wondering about robin hoods writing and planning of the series. Robin s king wasnt the absent crusading richard the lionheart reigned 118999 in the original gest story the gest of robyn hode refers to king edward, not richard or john, and this puts robin hood later in english history, some time after 1272 when edward i ascended the throne the idea of robin being an outlawed nobleman, robin of locksley, derives from sir walter scotts. Pyle was also one of the great american illustrators. Even at less than 180 pages, this one stretches the evidence thin. In this forest there lived a band of daring men called outlaws. American author howard pyle who also wrote the merry adventures of robin hood weaves the tales of chivalrous knights, the magic sword of excalibur, the magician merlin the wise, and the legendary arthur, later to become king of britain. Robin hood by henry gilbert, first edition abebooks. Feb 06, 2019 the first known reference in english verse to robin hood is found in the vision of piers plowman, written by william langland in the second part of the 14th century shortly before geoffrey chaucer wrote the canterbury tales. Theres always room for a skillful variation on a classic tale, as early william tell demonstrates by matching condensed versions of wellknown tales about. The book the adventures of robin hood really knocked my socks off. Scotlands imagemaker sir walter scott invented english. The old letters in which they were printed are very difficult to read, but now, in this little book, you will find the stories easy both to read and to understand. Robin was famous because he was brave, good hearted and fought.
The subject of ballads, books and films, robin hood has proven to be one of popular cultures most enduring folk heroes. The merry adventures of robin hood by howard pyle goodreads. The most common collection of robin hood stories, the merry adventures of robin hood of great renown in nottinghamshire, was written and illustrated by howard pyle in 1883. Jun 19, 2018 there has been several peaple rolled in to the legend of robin hood the tales of fulk fitzwain for one but when going back to the original account most peaple are shocked to find there is no friar tuck and no maid marian and not really that many m. With the help of his dexterity, cunning, resourcefulness, he many times avoided death, although many of the rich english wanted to catch and send him to the gallows. Korngold prepared a symphonic suite from the adventures of robin hood for use in concert that lasts about 25 minutes, but as in the case of many.
1679 450 1725 55 89 599 1377 440 446 1384 483 279 500 260 242 415 653 100 1549 606 537 1577 1535 1522