_THE STORY OF ROBIN HOOD_
Many hundreds of years ago, when the Plantagenets were kings, England
was so covered with woods that a squirrel was said to be able to hop
from tree to tree from the Severn to the Humber. It must have been
very different to look at from the country we travel through now; but
still there were roads that ran from north to south and from east to
west, for the use of those that wished to leave their homes, and at
certain times of the year these roads were thronged with people.
Pilgrims going to some holy shrine passed along, merchants taking
their wares to Court, fat Abbots and Bishops ambling by on palfreys
nearly as fat as themselves, to bear their part in the King's Council,
and, more frequently still, a solitary Knight, seeking adventures.
Besides the broad roads there were small tracks and little green
paths, and these led to clumps of low huts, where dwelt the peasants,
charcoal-burners, and plough-men, and here and there some larger
clearing than usual told that the house of a yeoman was near. Now and
then as you passed through the forest you might ride by a splendid
abbey, and catch a glimpse of monks in long black or white gowns,
fishing in the streams and rivers that abound in this part of England,
or casting nets in the fish ponds which were in the midst of the abbey
gardens. Or you might chance to see a castle with round turrets and
high battlements, circled by strong walls, and protected by a moat
full of water.
This was the sort of England into which the famous Robin Hood was
born. We do not know anything about him, who he was, or where he
lived, or what evil deed he had done to put him beyond the King's
grace. For he was an outlaw, and any man might kill him and never pay
penalty for it. But, outlaw or not, the poor people loved him and
looked on him as their friend, and many a stout fellow came to join
him, and led a merry life in the greenwood, with moss and fern for
bed, and for meat the King's deer, which it was death to slay.
Peasants of all sorts, tillers of the land, yeomen, and as some say
Knights, went on their ways freely, for of them Robin took no toll;
but lordly churchmen with money-bags well filled, or proud Bishops
with their richly dressed followers, trembled as they drew near to
Sherwood Forest--who was to know whether behind every tree there did
not lurk Robin Hood or one of his men?