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Stories of Robin Hood Told to the Children
Stories of Robin Hood in a lively retelling that chronicles the events of the time in which Robin Hood lived. Describes how and why he came to live in the Green Wood, and the adventures he had there with Little John, Maid Marian, and the Sheriff of Nottingham. Selections from the original ballads are woven into the story. A delightful introduction to these stories for children ages 8 and up.
116 pages, Paperback
First published November 13, 2005
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About the author
H.E. Marshall
65 books37 followersHenrietta Elizabeth Marshall (usually credited as H.E. Marshall) was a Scottish author, particularly well known for her works of popular national history for children.
H.E. Marshall is famous for her 1905 children's history of England, Our Island Story: A History of England for Boys and Girls, illustrated by A. S. Forrest. In the USA the book was entitled An Island Story. The book was a bestseller, was printed in numerous editions, and for fifty years was the standard and much-loved book by which children learned the history of England. However a lot of this book is historically inaccurate and much of it uses Shakespeare's plays for historical sources; for example, the section of Richard III is really a summary of the play. The book is still to be found in schools and homes, but the last printing was in 1953 and it went out of print in the 1960s. In 2005, an alliance of the Civitas think-tank and various national newspapers brought the book back into print, with the aim of sending a free copy to each of the UK's primary schools. Readers of The Daily Telegraph contributed £25,000 to the cost of the reprint.
She was educated at a girls' boarding school called Laurel Bank, in Melrose. Between 1901 and 1904 she was the superintendent of a hall of residence for female students at the University of Glasgow, but, otherwise, she appears to have made her living throughout her life by writing. She never married.
As is made clear by the Prefaces of her books from time to time, she travelled extensively after 1904, including to Melbourne, California and China, although her obituary in The Times stated that she spent most of her life in Oxford and in London, where she died.
H.E. Marshall is famous for her 1905 children's history of England, Our Island Story: A History of England for Boys and Girls, illustrated by A. S. Forrest. In the USA the book was entitled An Island Story. The book was a bestseller, was printed in numerous editions, and for fifty years was the standard and much-loved book by which children learned the history of England. However a lot of this book is historically inaccurate and much of it uses Shakespeare's plays for historical sources; for example, the section of Richard III is really a summary of the play. The book is still to be found in schools and homes, but the last printing was in 1953 and it went out of print in the 1960s. In 2005, an alliance of the Civitas think-tank and various national newspapers brought the book back into print, with the aim of sending a free copy to each of the UK's primary schools. Readers of The Daily Telegraph contributed £25,000 to the cost of the reprint.
She was educated at a girls' boarding school called Laurel Bank, in Melrose. Between 1901 and 1904 she was the superintendent of a hall of residence for female students at the University of Glasgow, but, otherwise, she appears to have made her living throughout her life by writing. She never married.
As is made clear by the Prefaces of her books from time to time, she travelled extensively after 1904, including to Melbourne, California and China, although her obituary in The Times stated that she spent most of her life in Oxford and in London, where she died.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 4, 2024
Perhaps not THE Robin Hood book to read, but I enjoyed it with my younger brothers. :)
October 13, 2011
I believe the copy of this book that I own belonged to my Dad, I certainly remember reading it at my grandparent's house growing up. So, I thought this would be a good children's book for my husband to read to Abigail before she is born.
However, on finishing it again, I do remember being confused as a child by several of the tales and by the absence of Maid Marian. There is one story of how she came to live in Sherwood forest and then she is briefly alluded to in one other tale. And that's it, no other mention of Maid Marian at all. Instead we are treated to tales of Robin Hood and Little John. With the absence of our heroine, the old time-y way of expressing friendship between Robin Hood and Little John reads very badly in modern times. Of course, these are tales told for children and I very much doubt that any child would notice the unintentional innuendos. However to an adult, they just can't be missed:
"As the years went on Little John and he (Robin Hood) loved each other more and more...But at last Robin began to feel weak and ill. He said sadly to Little John, "I am not able to shoot any more; my arrows will not fly. I do not know what is the matter with me".
Then the story goes on to say that, as there were few doctors people went to clever women, like the Prioress of a nunnery, who had a curious way of making men well.
On top of the weird love triangle, the stories seem to be a very random collection featuring Robin playing dress up either as a woman, or running around in other people's clothing so he won't be recognised. Even King Richard gets into the dress up fun and disguises himself as a monk, as it is the only way he can met Robin Hood. Not once, in any of the tales does he actually give his stolen money to the poor, instead he runs around annoying people or getting his friends and helpers into trouble.
This is a very bad adaption of the Robin Hood tales. If you want to read about Robin Hood, then find a copy of the original ballads or try Roger Lancelyn Green's tales of Robin Hood!
However, on finishing it again, I do remember being confused as a child by several of the tales and by the absence of Maid Marian. There is one story of how she came to live in Sherwood forest and then she is briefly alluded to in one other tale. And that's it, no other mention of Maid Marian at all. Instead we are treated to tales of Robin Hood and Little John. With the absence of our heroine, the old time-y way of expressing friendship between Robin Hood and Little John reads very badly in modern times. Of course, these are tales told for children and I very much doubt that any child would notice the unintentional innuendos. However to an adult, they just can't be missed:
"As the years went on Little John and he (Robin Hood) loved each other more and more...But at last Robin began to feel weak and ill. He said sadly to Little John, "I am not able to shoot any more; my arrows will not fly. I do not know what is the matter with me".
Then the story goes on to say that, as there were few doctors people went to clever women, like the Prioress of a nunnery, who had a curious way of making men well.
On top of the weird love triangle, the stories seem to be a very random collection featuring Robin playing dress up either as a woman, or running around in other people's clothing so he won't be recognised. Even King Richard gets into the dress up fun and disguises himself as a monk, as it is the only way he can met Robin Hood. Not once, in any of the tales does he actually give his stolen money to the poor, instead he runs around annoying people or getting his friends and helpers into trouble.
This is a very bad adaption of the Robin Hood tales. If you want to read about Robin Hood, then find a copy of the original ballads or try Roger Lancelyn Green's tales of Robin Hood!
August 13, 2025
Delightful read! You can’t help but love Robin Hood. I read this to my 10 and 7 year old and we all loved it. It’s so warming. Reading other reviews saying it doesn’t “hold up in these times” is ridiculous. Children’s minds are not yet defiled and they won’t think anything of Robin dressing as a women to be disguised in one of the stories. Also Robin and Little John’s friendship is beautiful. It’s adults who pervert everything and ruin it. Men can absolutely love each other and have deep friendships without it meaning anything romantic. And again children’s minds won’t think this way. A beautiful picture of deep friendship!
March 14, 2024
The language is TOO elementary in this revision. The Roger Lancelyn Green version is much better.
December 2, 2024
Read to the boys. We really enjoyed this version.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews