(i) The popular outlaw of the greenwood, as revealed to us in the
older ballads.
(ii) The quasi-historical Robin, the outlaw ennobled (by a
contradiction in terms) as the Earl of Huntingdon, Robert Fitzooth,
etc., and the husband of Matilda.
(iii) One of a number of actual Robert Hoods, whose existence
(and insignificance) has been proved from historical documents.
(iv) Robin Hood, or Robin o' Wood, explained by German scholars as
the English representative of Woden, or a wood-god, or some other
mythical personage.
We will now investigate these in turn, attempting so far as may be
possible to keep them distinct.