Follow your favourite podcasts, listen offline and in the car with CarPlay and Android Auto, and always pick up where you left off. Free to try.
This episode examines the historical reality of Robin Hood, contrasting the popular legend with medieval evidence. The investigation reveals that the traditional image of a noble outlaw in Sherwood Forest is a later invention, as the earliest ballads describe a vicious yeoman based in Yorkshire. Potential real-life candidates include Robert Hood of Wakefield, a 14th-century rebel, and Robert Fitz Odo, a dispossessed 12th-century lord. The sources explain how the legend evolved over centuries to include characters like Maid Marian and the concept of robbing from the rich. Ultimately, the figure of Robin Hood is presented as a blend of multiple historical individuals, criminal aliases, and ancient folklore. These diverse influences created an enduring symbol of justice and resistance that continues to adapt to modern values.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it". George Santayana
