lies about four miles from Burton-upon-Trent, on the west bank of
the river Don. Its castle, it is supposed, was built a considerable
time before the Norman conquest. Being the principal seat of the
Dukes of Lancaster, it was long distinguished as the scene of
festivity and splendour. The number of minstrels which crowded it
was so great, that it was found necessary to have recourse to some
expedient for preserving order among them, and determining their
claims of precedence. Accordingly, one of their number, with the
title of king of the minstrels, was appointed, and under him several
inferior officers, to assist in the execution of the laws. To this
chief a charter was granted by John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster,
22nd August, 4th Richard II., 1381. This king of the minstrels and
his officers having inflicted fines and punishments which exceeded
the due bounds of justice, a court for hearing and determining
complaints and controversies was instituted, which was yearly held
with many forms and ceremonies. The business of the court being
concluded, the officers withdraw to partake of a sumptuous repast,
prepared for them by the steward of the lordship. In the afternoon
the minstrels assembled at the gate of the priory, where, by way of
amusement for the multitude, a bull, having his horns, ears, and
tail cut off, his body besmeared with soap, and his nose blown full
of pepper, was then let loose. If the minstrels could take and hold
him, even so long as to deprive him of the smallest portion of his
hair, he was declared their property, provided this was done within
the confines of Staffordshire, and before sunset. The bull was next
collared and roped, and being brought to the market cross, was
baited with dogs. After this he was delivered to the minstrels, who
might dispose of him as they deemed proper. _Vide_ Blount's _Ancient
Tenures_, Hawkins's _History of Music_, Strutt's _Sports and
Pastimes_, for fuller particulars of this ancient custom. GUTCH.
A TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD.
Gutch's _Robin Hood_, ii. 88.
This doggerel is by Martin Parker, a well-known author of ballads in
the reign of Charles I. and during the Protectorate. The titles of
several of his works are given by Ritson, (_Robin Hood_, i. 127,) and
those of others may be seen in Collier's _Roxburghe Ballads_, 237,
243, and Ritson's _Ancient Songs_, ii. 257, 263; among these last is
the celebrated song, _When the king enjoys his own again_.
Ritson printed this piece from a black-letter edition dated 1686.
Gutch obtained a somewhat better copy from Mr. Collier, which we have
here followed. "The date of Mr. Collier's copy is cut off, but enough
remains to shew that it was printed at London, 'for T. Cotes, and are
to be sold by F. Grove, dwelling upon Snow-hill near the Saracens * *
*.' The first edition was entered at Stationers' Hall, 20th February,
1631."
The title in full is: "_A True Tale of Robbin Hood, Or, a brief touch
of the life and death of that renowned outlaw, Robert, Earle of
Huntington, vulgarly called Robbin Hood, who lived and died in 1198,
being the 9th yeare of king Richard the first, commonly called
Richard Cuer de Lyon; carefully collected out of the truest writers
of our English_ _Chronicles and published for the satisfaction of
those who desire to see truth purged from falsehood_. BY MARTIN
PARKER."
At the end of the tale is the following epitaph, "which the prioresse
of the monastery of Kirkes Lay in Yorkshire set over Robbin Hood,
which was to bee reade within these hundreth yeares (though in old
broken English), much to the same sence and meaning."
_Decembris quarto die 1198. anno regni Richardii primi 9._
Robert earle of Huntington
Lies under this little stone.
No archer was like him so good;
His wildnesse named him Robbin Hood.
Full thirteene yeares and something more,
These northern parts he vexed sore;
Such outlawes as hee and his men,
May England never know agen.
"Some other superstitious words were in it, which I thought fit to
leave out." M. P.
Both gentlemen, or yeomen bould,
Or whatsoever you are,
To have a stately story tould
Attention now prepare.
It is a tale of Robin Hood, 5
Which I to you will tell,
Which being rightly understood,
I know will please you well.
This Robbin (so much talked on)
Was once a man of fame, 10
Instiled earle of Huntington,
Lord Robert Hood by name.
In courtship and magnificence
His carriage won him prayse,
And greater favour with his prince 15
Than any in his dayes.
In bounteous liberality
He too much did excell,
And loved men of quality
More than exceeding well. 20
His great revennues all he sould
For wine and costly cheere;
He kept three hundred bowmen bold,
He shooting loved so deare.
No archer living in his time 25
With him might well compare:
He practis'd all his youthfull prime
That exercise most rare.
At last, by his profuse expence,
He had consum'd his wealth; 30
And being outlawed by his prince,
In woods he liv'd by stealth.
The abbot of Saint Maries rich,
To whom he mony ought,
His hatred to the earle was such 35
That he his downefall wrought.
So being outlaw'd (as 'tis told)
He with a crew went forth
Of lusty cutters stout and bold,
And robbed in the North. 40
Among the rest one Little John,
A yeoman bold and free,
Who could (if it stood him upon)
With ease encounter three.
One hundred men in all he got, 45
With whom (the story sayes)
Three hundred commen men durst not
Hold combat any wayes.
They Yorkshire woods frequented much,
And Lancashire also, 50
Wherein their practises were such
That they wrought mickle woe.
None rich durst travell to and fro,
Though nere so strongly arm'd,
But by these theeves (so strong in show) 55
They still were rob'd and harm'd.
His chiefest spight to th' clergie was,
That liv'd in monstrous pride:
No one of them he would let passe
Along the highway side, 60
But first they must to dinner go,
And afterwards to shrift:
Full many a one he served so,
Thus while he liv'd by theft.
No monks nor fryers would he let goe, 65
Without paying their fees:
If they thought much to be us'd so,
Their stones he made them leese.
For such as they the country fill'd
With bastards in those dayes; 70
Which to prevent, these sparkes did geld
All that came by their ways.
But Robbin Hood so gentle was,
And bore so brave a minde,
If any in distresse did passe, 75
To them he was so kinde,
That he would give and lend to them,
To helpe them in their neede;
This made all poore men pray for him,
And wish he well might speede. 80
The widdow and the fatherlesse
He would send meanes unto;
And those whom famine did oppresse
Found him a friendly foe.
Nor would he doe a woman wrong, 85
But see her safe conveid:
He would protect with power strong
All those who crav'd his ayde.
The abbot of Saint Maries then,
Who him undid before, 90
Was riding with two hundred men,
And gold and silver store.
But Robbin Hood upon him set,
With his couragious sparkes,
And all the coyne perforce did get, 95
Which was twelve thousand markes.
He bound the abbot to a tree,
And would not let him passe,
Before that to his men and he
His lordship had said masse. 100
Which being done, upon his horse
He set him fast astride,
And with his face towards his----
He forced him to ride.
His men were faine to be his guide, 105
For he rode backward home:
The abbot, being thus villified,
Did sorely chafe and fume.
Thus Robbin Hood did vindicate
His former wrongs receiv'd; 110
For 'twas this covetous prelàte
That him of land bereav'd.
The abbot he rode to the king,
With all the haste he could,
And to his grace he every thing 115
Exactly did unfold:
And sayd if that no course were ta'en,
By force or stratagem,
To take this rebel and his traine,
No man should passe for them. 120
The king protested by and by
Unto the abbot then,
That Robbin Hood with speed should dye,
With all his merry men.
But e're the king did any send, 125
He did another feate,
Which did his grace much more offend,
The fact indeed was great.
For in a short time after that
The kings receivers went 130
Towards London with the coyne they got,
For 's highness northerne rent.
Bold Robbin Hood and Little John,
With the rest of their traine,
Not dreading law, set them upon, 135
And did their gold obtaine.
The king much moved at the same,
And the abbots talke also,
In this his anger did proclaime,
And sent word to and fro, 140
That whosoe'er alive or dead
Could bring bold Robbin Hood,
Should have one thousand markes well paid
In gold and silver good.
This promise of the king did make 145
Full many yeomen bold
Attempt stout Robbin Hood to take,
With all the force they could.
But still when any came to him
Within the gay greene wood, 150
He entertainement gave to them
With venison fat and good;
And shew'd to them such martiale sport
With his long bow and arrow,
That they of him did give report, 155
How that it was great sorow,
That such a worthy man as he
Should thus be put to shift,
Being late a lord of high degree,
Of living quite bereft. 160
The king to take him, more and more
Sent men of mickle might;
But he and his still beate them sore,
And conquered them in fight:
Or else with love and courtesie, 165
To him he won their hearts.
Thus still he lived by robbery
Throughout the northerne parts;
And all the country stood in dread
Of Robbin Hood and 's men: 170
For stouter lads ne're liv'd by bread
In those days, nor since then.
The abbot which before I nam'd
Sought all the meanes he could
To have by force this rebele ta'ne, 175
And his adherents bold.
Therefore he arm'd five hundred men,
With furniture compleate;
But the outlawes slewe halfe of them,
And made the rest retreate. 180
The long bow and the arrow keene
They were so us'd unto,
That still he kept the forrest greene
In spite o' th' proudest foe.
Twelve of the abbots men he tooke, 185
Who came him to have ta'ne,
When all the rest the field forsooke;
These he did entertaine
With banquetting and merriment,
And, having us'd them well, 190
He to their lord them safely sent,
And will'd them him to tell,
That if he would be pleas'd at last
To beg of our good king
That he might pardon what was past, 195
And him to favour bring,
He would surrender backe again
The money which before
Was taken by him and his men
From him and many more. 200
Poore men might safely passe by him,
And some that way would chuse,
For well they knew that to helpe them
He evermore did use.
But where he knew a miser rich 205
That did the poore oppresse,
To feel his coyne his hands did itch;
He'd have it, more or lesse.
And sometimes, when the high-way fayl'd,
Then he his courage rouses, 210
He and his men have oft assayld
Such rich men in their houses.
So that, through dread of Robbin then,
And his adventurous crew,
The mizers kept great store of men, 215
Which else maintayn'd but few.
King Richard of that name the first,
Sirnamed Cuer de Lyon,
Went to defeate the Pagans curst,
Who kept the coasts of Syon. 220
The bishop of Ely, chancelor,
Was left a vice-roy here,
Who like a potent emperor
Did proudly domminere.
Our chronicles of him report, 225
That commonly he rode
With a thousand horse from court to court,
Where he would make abode.
He, riding down towards the north,
With his aforesayd train, 230
Robbin and his men did issue forth,
Them all to entertaine;
And with the gallant gray-goose wing
They shewd to them such playe,
That made their horses kicke and fling, 235
And downe their riders lay.
Full glad and faine the bishop was,
For all his thousand men,
To seek what meanes he could to passe
From out of Robbins ken. 240
Two hundred of his men were kil'd,
And fourescore horses good;
Thirty, who did as captives yeeld,
Were carryed to the greene wood;
Which afterwards were ransomed, 245
For twenty markes a man;
The rest set spurres to horse, and fled
To th' town of Warrington.
The bishop sore enraged then,
Did, in king Richards name, 250
Muster a power of northerne men,
These outlawes bold to tame.
But Robbin with his courtesie
So wonne the meaner sort,
That they were loath on him to try 255
What rigor did import.
So that bold Robbin and his traine
Did live unhurt of them,
Untill king Richard came againe
From faire Jerusalem. 260
And then the talke of Robbin Hood
His royal eares did fill;
His grace admir'd that i' th' greene wood
He thus continued still.
So that the country farre and neare 265
Did give him great applause;
For none of them neede stand in feare,
But such as broke the lawes.
He wished well unto the king,
And prayed still for his health, 270
And never practis'd any thing
Against the common-wealth.
Onely, because he was undone
By th' crewele clergie then,
All meanes that he could thinke upon 275
To vexe such kinde of men,
He enterpriz'd with hateful spleene;
For which he was to blame,
For fault of some to wreake his teene
On all that by him came. 280
With wealth which he by robbery got
Eight almes-houses he built,
Thinking thereby to purge the blot
Of blood which he had spilt.
Such was their blinde devotion then, 285
Depending on their workes;
Which, if 'twere true, we Christian men
Inferiour were to Turkes.
But, to speak true of Robbin Hood,
And wrong him not a jot, 290
He never would shed any mans blood
That him invaded not.
Nor would he injure husbandmen,
That toyld at cart and plough;
For well he knew, were't not for them 295
To live no man knew how.
The king in person, with some lords,
To Nottingham did ride,
To try what strength and skill affords
To crush these outlaws pride. 300
And, as he once before had done,
He did againe proclaime,
That whosoe'er would take upon
To bring to Nottingham,
Or any place within the land, 305
Rebellious Robbin Hood,
Should be prefer'd in place to stand
With those of noble blood.
When Robbin Hood heard of the same,
Within a little space, 310
Into the towne of Nottingham
A letter to his grace
He shot upon an arrow head,
One evening cunningly;
Which was brought to the king, and read 315
Before his majestie.
The tennure of this letter was
That Robbin would submit,
And be true liegeman to his grace
In any thing that's fit, 320
So that his highnesse would forgive
Him and his merry men all;
If not, he must i' th' green wood live,
And take what chance did fall.
The king would faine have pardoned him, 325
But that some lords did say
"This president will much condemn
Your grace another day."
While that the king and lords did stay
Debating on this thing, 330
Some of these outlawes fled away
Unto the Scottish king.
For they suppos'd, if he were tane,
Or to the king did yeeld,
By th' commons all the rest of 's train 335
Full quickely would be quell'd.
Of more than full an hundred men,
But forty tarryed still,
Who were resolv'd to sticke to him
Let fortune worke her will. 340
If none had fled, all for his sake
Had got their pardon free;
The king to favour meant to take
His merry men and he.
But e're the pardon to him came 345
This famous archer dy'd:
His death and manner of the same
I'le presently describe.
For, being vext to think upon
His followers revolt, 350
In melancholly passiòn
He did recount his fault.
"Perfideous traytors!" sayd he then,
"In all your dangers past
Have I you guarded as my men, 355
To leave me thus at last!"
This sad perplexity did cause
A feaver, as some say,
Which him unto confusion drawes,
Though by a stranger way. 360
This deadly danger to prevent,
He hie'd him with all speede
Unto a nunnery, with intent
For his healths-sake to bleede.
A faithlesse fryer did pretend 365
In love to let him blood,
But he by falshood wrought the end
Of famous Robbin Hood.
The fryer, as some say, did this
To vindicate the wrong 370
Which to the clergy he and his
Had done by power strong.
Thus dyed he by trechery,
That could not dye by force:
Had he liv'd longer, certainely 375
King Richard, in remorse,
Had unto favour him receiv'd,
His brave men elevated:
'Tis pitty he was of life bereav'd
By one which he so hated. 380
A treacherous leach this fryer was,
To let him bleed to death;
And Robbin was, methinks, an asse
To trust him with his breath.
His corpse the prioress of the place, 385
The next day that he dy'd,
Caused to be buried, in mean case,
Close by the high-way side.
And over him she caused a stone
To be fixed on the ground; 390
An epitaph was set thereon,
Wherein his name was found.
The date o' th' yeare, and day also,
Shee made to be set there,
That all who by the way did goe 395
Might see it plain appeare,
That such a man as Robbin Hood
Was buried in that place;
And how he lived in the greene wood
And robb'd there for a space. 400
It seemes that though the clergie he
Had put to mickle woe,
He should not quite forgotten be,
Although he was their foe.
This woman, though she did him hate, 405
Yet loved his memory;
And thought it wondrous pitty that
His fame should with him dye.
This epitaph, as records tell,
Within this hundred yeares, 410
By many was discerned well,
But time all things out-weares.[L412]
His followers, when he was dead,
Were some receiv'd to grace;
The rest to forraign countries fled, 415
And left their native place.
Although his funerall was but mean,
This woman had in minde,
Least his fame should be buried clean
From those that came behind. 420
For certainly, before nor since,
No man e're understood,
Under the reign of any prince,
Of one like Robbin Hood.
Full thirteene years, and something more, 425
These outlawes lived thus,
Feared of the rich, loved of the poor,
A thing most marvelous.
A thing unpossible to us
This story seems to be; 430
None dares be now so venturous,
But times are chang'd we see.
We that live in these later dayes
Of civile government,
If need be, have an hundred wayes 435
Such outlawes to prevent.
In those days men more barbarous were,
And lived less in awe;
Now (God be thanked) people feare
More to offend the law. 440
No roaring guns were then in use,
They dreampt of no such thing;
Our Englishmen in fight did chuse
The gallant gray-goose wing:
In which activity these men, 445
Through practice, were so good,
That in those days none equal'd them,
Specially Robbin Hood.
So that, it seemes, keeping in caves,
In woods and forests thicke, 450
They'd beate a multitude with staves,
Their arrowes did so pricke.
And none durst neare unto them come,
Unlesse in courtesie;
All such he bravely would send home, 455
With mirth and jollity.
Which courtesie won him such love,
As I before have told,
'Twas the cheef cause that he did prove
More prosperous than he could. 460
Let us be thankefull for these times
Of plenty, truth, and peace;
And leave out great and horrid crimes,
Least they cause this to cease.
I know there's many fained tales 465
Of Robbin Hood and 's crew;
But chronicles, which seldom fayles,
Reports this to be true.
Let none then thinke this is a lye,
For, if 'twere put to th' worst, 470
They may the truth of all discry
I' th' raigne of Richard the first.
If any reader please to try,
As I direction show,
The truth of this brave history, 475
Hee'll find it true I know.
And I shall think my labour well
Bestowed to purpose good,
When't shall be said that I did tell
True tales of Robbin Hood. 480
412, times.
ROBIN HOOD AND MAID MARIAN.
"This ballad is given from an old black-letter copy in the collection
of Anthony à Wood. Its full title is, _A famous battle between Robin
Hood and Maid Marian; declaring their love, life, and liberty. Tune_,
Robin Hood Reviv'd." RITSON'S _Robin Hood_, ii. 161.
A bonny fine-maid of a noble degree,
_With a hey down, down, a down, down_,
Maid Marian call'd by name,
Did live in the North, of excellent worth,
For shee was a gallant dame.
For favour and face, and beauty most rare, 5
Queen Hellen shee did excell:
For Marian then was prais'd of all men
That did in the country dwell.
'Twas neither Rosamond nor Jane Shore,
Whose beauty was clear and bright, 10
That could surpass this country lass,
Beloved of lord and knight.
The earl of Huntington, nobly born,
That came of noble blood,
To Marian went, with a good intent, 15
By the name of Robin Hood.
With kisses sweet their red lips did meet,
For she and the earl did agree;
In every place, they kindly embrace,
With love and sweet unity. 20
But fortune bearing these lovers a spight,
That soon they were forc'd to part,
To the merry green-wood then went Robin Hood,
With a sad and sorrowfull heart.
And Marian, poor soul, was troubled in mind, 25
For the absence of her friend;
With finger in eye, shee often did cry,
And his person did much comend.
Perplexed and vexed, and troubled in mind,
She drest herself like a page, 30
And ranged the wood, to find Robin Hood,
The bravest of men in that age.
With quiver and bow, sword, buckler, and all,
Thus armed was Marian most bold,
Still wandering about, to find Robin out, 35
Whose person was better then gold.
But Robin Hood, hee himself had disguis'd,
And Marian was strangly attir'd,
That they prov'd foes, and so fell to blowes,
Whose vallour bold Robin admir'd. 40
They drew out their swords, and to cutting they went,
At least an hour or more,
That the blood ran apace from bold Robins face,
And Marian was wounded sore.
"O hold thy hand, hold thy hand," said Robin Hood, 45
"And thou shalt be one of my string,
To range in the wood with bold Robin Hood,
To hear the sweet nightingall sing."
When Marian did hear the voice of her love,
Her self shee did quickly discover, 50
And with kisses sweet she did him greet,
Like to a most loyall lover.
When bold Robin Hood his Marian did see,
Good lord, what clipping was there!
With kind embraces, and jobbing of faces, 55
Providing of gallant cheer.
For Little John took his bow in his hand,
And wandred in the wood,[L58]
To kill the deer, and make good chear
For Marian and Robin Hood. 60
A stately banquet they had full soon,
All in a shaded bower,
Where venison sweet they had to eat,
And were merry that present hour.
Great flaggons of wine were set on the board, 65
And merrily they drunk round
Their boules of sack, to strengthen the back,
Whilst their knees did touch the ground.
First Robin Hood began a health
To Marian his onely dear; 70
And his yeomen all, both comly and tall,
Did quickly bring up the rear.
For in a brave vein they tost off the bouls,[L73]
Whilst thus they did remain;
And every cup, as they drunk up, 75
They filled with speed again.
At last they ended their merryment,
And went to walk in the wood,
Where Little John and maid Marian
Attended on bold Robin Hood. 80
In sollid content together they liv'd,
With all their yeomen gay;
They liv'd by their hands, without any lands,
And so they did many a day.
But now to conclude, an end I will make, 85
In time as I think it good;
For the people that dwell in the north can tell
Of Marian and bold Robin Hood.
58, wandring.
73, venie.
THE KINGS DISGUISE AND FRIENDSHIP WITH ROBIN HOOD.
This wretched production is evidently founded on the _Lytell Geste_.
It was printed by Ritson from "the common collection of Aldermary
Churchyard." One or two improvements were made by Gutch from a York
edition. RITSON'S _Robin Hood_, ii. 166; GUTCH'S _Robin Hood_, ii.
281.
King Richard hearing of the pranks
Of Robin Hood and his men,
He much admir'd, and more desir'd,
To see both him and them.
Then with a dozen of his lords 5
To Nottingham he rode;
When he came there, he made good cheer,
And took up his abode.
He having staid there some time,
But had no hopes to speed, 10
He and his lords, with one accord,
All put on monks' weeds.
From Fountain abbey they did ride,
Down to Barnsdale;
Where Robin Hood preparèd stood 15
All company to assail.
The king was higher than the rest,
And Robin thought he had
An abbot been whom he had seen;
To rob him he was glad. 20
He took the kings horse by the head,
"Abbot," says he, "abide;
I am bound to rue such knaves as you,
That live in pomp and pride."
"But we are messengers from the king," 25
The king himself did say;
"Near to this place his royal grace
To speak with thee does stay."
"God save the king," said Robin Hood,
"And all that wish him well; 30
He that does deny his sovereignty,
I wish he was in hell."
"Thyself thou cursedst," says the king,
"For thou a traitor art:"
"Nay, but that you are his messenger, 35
I swear you lie in heart.
"For I never yet hurt any man
That honest is and true;
But those who give their minds to live
Upon other mens due. 40
"I never hurt the husbandmen,
That use to till the ground:
Nor spill their blood who range the wood
To follow hawk or hound.
"My chiefest spite to clergy is, 45
Who in these days bear great sway;
With fryars and monks, and their fine sprunks,
I make my chiefest prey.
"But I am glad," says Robin Hood,
"That I have met you here; 50
Before we end, you shall, my friend,
Taste of our green-wood cheer."
The king he then did marvel much,
And so did all his men;
They thought with fear, what kind of cheer 55
Robin would provide for them.
Robin took the kings horse by the head,
And led him to his tent:
"Thou wouldst not be so us'd," quoth he,
"But that my king thee sent. 60
"Nay, more than that," quoth Robin Hood,
"For good king Richards sake,
If you had as much gold as ever I told,
I would not one penny take."
Then Robin set his horn to his mouth, 65
And a loud blast he did blow,
Till a hundred and ten of Robin Hoods men,
Came marching all of a row.
And when they came bold Robin before,
Each man did bend his knee: 70
"O," thought the king, "'tis a gallant thing
And a seemly sight to see."
Within himself the king did say,
"These men of Robin Hoods
More humble be than mine to me; 75
So the court may learn of the woods."
So then they all to dinner went,
Upon a carpet green;
Black, yellow, red, finely minglèd,
Most curious to be seen. 80
Venison and fowls were plenty there,
With fish out of the river:
King Richard swore, on sea or shore,
He never was feasted better.
Then Robin takes a cann of ale: 85
"Come, let us now begin;
And every man shall have his cann;
Here's a health unto the king."
The king himself drank to the king,
So round about it went; 90
Two barrels of ale, both stout and stale,
To pledge that health was spent.
And after that, a bowl of wine
In his hand took Robin Hood;
"Until I die, I'll drink wine," said he, 95
"While I live in the green-wood.
"Bend all your bows," said Robin Hood,
"And with the grey goose-wing
Such sport now show, as you would do
In the presence of the king." 100
They shewed such brave archery
By cleaving sticks and wands,
That the king did say, such men as they
Live not in many lands.