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Poor Folk Disliked Hood Too: Expert

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 14, 2009 2:44 PM CDT

(Newser) – The rich and poor alike may have despised Robin Hood in his day, the BBC reports. A note written by a monk in a medieval manuscript describes the famous thief—and giver to the needy—as having “infested” the countryside “with his accomplices.” The find also pinpoints Robin Hood as living under the reign of Edward I in the 13th century, and makes specific reference to Sherwood Forest.

"Rather than depicting the traditionally well-liked hero, the article suggests that Robin Hood and his merry men may not actually have been 'loved by the good,'" said one medieval expert. "The new find contains a uniquely negative assessment of the outlaw, and provides rare evidence for monastic attitudes towards him."

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

The 'Major Oak' tree, which Robin Hood allegedly used as a hide out in Sherwood Forest, is seen in Nottinghamshire, England. (AP Photo)

Errol Flynn in "The Adventures of Robin Hood." (Getty Images)

Kevin Kostner starts in the 1991 feature film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." (MovieWeb)

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Around this time, according to popular opinion, a certain outlaw named Robin Hood, with his accomplices, infested Sherwood and other law-abiding areas of England with continuous robberies. - Latin inscription from about 1460 in a manuscript at Eton College, England

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