This is a serious scholarly book about Robin Hood , probably the most serious argument for a historical 13th century Robin Hood, with careful discussions of the early evidence such as it is, and the geography of the early Robin Hood poems, especially the Gest, which seems to be set in the Barnsdale region of southern Yorkshire, though mixed with (later?) references to the traditional Sherwood in Nottinghamshire. It also includes a well-known discussion of the audience of Robin Hood, subject on which there has been much debate. ( )

Someone has written a book about the legend of Robin Hood, possible sources and inspirstions, and some findings about social conditions that might have led to the creation of the Legend. Robin hood is not so dignified a story as Arthur, and it seems to be more recent. the corpus has certainly been not carefully cared for, and is prey to commercial interests. A good critical book on the legend. ( )

A scholarly, but eminently readble, study of the legend of Robin Hood. Based primarily around the earliest written ballads on the subject (and The Gest of Robin Hood is included in full), the author explores the geography, the links to possible factual history, and much more. This is not a telling of the legend, but an examination of how the legend developed over the years, merging in with other stories.

If you know anything about Robin Hood, even if only from Kevin Costner (!), then it will be an interesting read. If, like me, you have lived your entire life within 10 miles of Nottingham, then it is truly fascinating.

I read the Folio Society edition, which is a beautifully bound copy.

Thoroughly recommended. ( )

I first read this book when I was in high school. It interested me in the same way that books that speculated about the historical origins of King Arthur did. While most King Arthur-as-historical-figure books suffer from a dearth of facts and an overabundance of enthusiasm, this book for the most part does not share those traits.

Holt presents the historical evidence that someone named Robin (or Hobb or Hobbehod) once actually existed and served as the inspiration for a cycle of ballads. The evidence is scanty at best, and Holt does not ignore that fact. However, he does present an argument that the ballads are an account of not so much one man's deeds, as the deeds of a group of men who adopted and adapted the Robin Hood persona - a persona which was originated by a 13th-century criminal.

The book is deservedly considered a classic, not just for Holt's responsible approach, but for its readability. Note, however, that the second edition contains an essential update drawn from sources discovered after the first edition. You might want to read the preface and postscript before reading the rest of the book, as they contain the updated information. ( )

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