Robin Hood and Other Outlaw Tales

by Stephen Knight (Editor), Thomas Ohlgren (Editor), Thomas E. Kelly (Contributor)

Here is a comprehensive collection of materials that deal with Robin Hood and such other "outlaw" figures as Hereward the Wake, Eustache the Monk and Fouke le Fitz Waryn. In this text the figure of Robin Hood can be viewed in historical perspective, from the early accounts in the chronicles through the ballads, plays and romances that grew around his fame and impressed him on our fictional and historical imaginations.

Genres: Classics, Poetry, History, School, Adventure, Medieval, Reference

744 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

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Stephen Knight - Thrillers

Reviews

[J.I.]

It's telling that this book has received a few starrings and no real reviews. The stories are, for the most part, boring and poorly told, but the underlying plot is nearly always at least compelling. These are the tales of Robin Hood as they came out, from multiple persons at multiple points in time. They are gathered here in untranslated middle English (they fix misspellings and inconsistencies, but that's it) and while that's not much fun to read, when things get complicated, the translators placed a helpful translation of some of the more difficult words on the margins. Sometimes these translations seem a bit questionable, but they are nevertheless marvelously helpful.

I give this one three stars simply because I was so wholly unimpressed with these stories. Goodness knows the movies this tale has spawned have been less than faithful, but they seem a better resource, almost, as they're better told, better written and far more engaging. This book is a marvelous resource for people who love to get at the source material, but I couldn't give a lick about what is first, I care only for what is best. Hopefully, this will guide you to your decision.

[Joshua Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robin Hood is perhaps the world's best known outlaw. He has therefore seen many interations and interpretations. If you're looking for the original tales in their original forms, however, this is the book to read. All the tales are in their original syntax with excellent introductions and glosses. Wonderful read.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did I read this whole thing? Well.. no. But I read all of "A Gest of Robyn Hode" for English class and that ought to count for something. Without its footnotes, it would have come out to 37 pages. So, Internet Void and friends, know that I at least read that part of this text.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of outlaw tales spanning the 12th century through the early 19th century for academic use. Most tales focus on Robin Hood, but the work also include other outlaw tales, such as "Gamelyn" and "Adam Bell," that share similarities or has references to them. The tales span plays, romances, and ballads, of which some renditions can be found via YouTube, and demonstrate how Robin Hood evolved from early tales to the modern story known today. The collection is organized by (1) early ballads, (2) plays, (3) later ballads, and (4) romances that influenced the Robin Hood tales. While the romances are translations and summaries in modern English, the text of the older ballads and plays are preserved in the original language, albeit standardized for easier reading by modern audiences (read: they're in Middle English). Each tale is accompanied by concise historical notes, translation notes, and bibliographies.

[Iman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used so much brainpower in trying to understand the Middle English text, but it was worth it.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything in here is great, but I thought the Munday plays were dry and boring.

[Viv · Rating 3 out of 5]

i have a bone to pick with robin hood
he steals from the rich and gives to the poor
but its mentioned many times that he's of noble birth
meaning he has money
and at one point, robin helps little john out of a financial situation with his own money
but if he has enough to, on a whim, give away a decent amount of money...
why is he not giving to the poor from his own pocket :/

[Highlyeccentric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cherry-picking from this for teaching this semester. I've made a recording of Robin Hood and the Monk if that interests anyone.

[Redsteve · Rating 2 out of 5]

THE EARLY BALLADS AND TALES
Robin Hood and the Monk
Robin Hood and the Potter
A Gest of Robyn Hood
Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne
The Tale of Gamelyn
Robyn and Gandelyn
Adam Bell, Clim of Clough, and William of Cloudesley

ROBIN HOOD PLAYS
Robyn Hod and the Shryff of Notyngham
Robin Hood and Friar Tuck and the Potter
The Downfall of Robert, Earle of Huntington
The Death of Robert, Earle of Huntington
Robin Hood and His Crew of Soldiers

LATER BALLADS
Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar
The Jolly Pindar of Wakefield
Robin Hood and Little John
Robin Hood and Allin a Dale
Robin Hood and Maid Marian
Robin Hood and Will Scarlet
Robin Hood's Progress to Nottingham
Robin Hood Rescues Three Young Men
Little John Goes a Begging
Robin Hood's Birth, Breeding, Valour and Marriage
Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow
Robin Hood and the Bishop
Robin Hood's Golden Prize
Robin Hood and Queen Catherin
Robin Hood's Fishing
The Death of Robin Hood
The True Tale of Robin Hood
Robin Hood and the Pedlars

OTHER OUTLAW TALES IN PROSE TRANSLATION
Hereward the Wake
Eustache the Monk
Fouke le Witz Warym

[Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only had to read the following texts from the work:
A Gest of Robyn Hoode (8 Fyttes)
"A True Tale of Robin Hood"
The Downfall of Robert, Earl of Huntingdon (only Scene 3)

Read only these stories from the text because they were assigned readings. If I get a chance someday to read all of the works, I will do that. But for now, I only focus on my class assignment readings.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfortunately I have to put this book on hold. It is an excellent collection with intriguing introductions, however due to my university reading list I have to move on. I will come back to this, and highly recommend it for anyone wanting to venture into Middle English texts. It is a hard read at first but once you get used it is hard to put down.