Chapter V: Preface (4)

“I find,” says Stow, “that in the moneth of May, the citizens of London, of all estates, lightlie in every parish, or sometimes two or three parishes joyning together, had their severall mayinges, and did fetch in Maypoles, with divers warlike shewes, with good archers, morrice-dancers, and other devices for pastime all the day long: and towards the evening they had stage-playes and bonefires in the streetes. . . . . These greate Mayinges and Maygames, made by the governors and masters of this citie, with the triumphant setting up of the greate shafte (a principall Maypole in Cornhill, before the parish church of S. Andrew, therefore called Undershafte) by meane of an insurrection of youthes against alianes on Mayday 1517, the ninth of Henry the Eight, have not beene so freely used as afore” (Survey of London, 1598, p. 72).

The disuse of these ancient pastimes, and the consequent “neglect of archerie,” are thus pathetically lamented by Richard Niccolls, in his London’s Artillery, 1616:

[Sidenote: A description of one drawing a bow.]

“How is it that our London hath laid downe
This worthy practise, which was once the crowne
Of all her pastime, when her Robin Hood
Had wont each yeare, when May did clad the wood,
With lustie greene, to lead his yong men out,
Whose brave demeanour, oft when they did shoot,
Invited royall princes from their courts,
Into the wilde woods to behold their sports!
Who thought it then a manly sight and trim,
To see a youth of cleane compacted lim,
Who, with a comely grace, in his left hand
Holding his bow, did take his stedfast stand,
Setting his left leg somewhat foorth before,
His arrow with his right hand nocking sure, {xcvii}
Not stooping, nor yet standing streight upright,
Then, with his left hand little ’bove his sight,
Stretching his arm out, with an easie strength,
To draw an arrow of a yard in length.”[79]

The lines,

“Invited royall princes from their courts
Into the wild woods to behold their sports,”

may be reasonably supposed to allude to Henry VIII., who appears to have been particularly attached, as well to the exercise of archery as to the observance of May. Some short time after his coronation, says Hall, he “came to Westminster with the quene, and all their traine: and on a tyme being there, his grace therles of Essex, Wilshire, and other noble menne, to the numbre of twelve, came sodainly in a mornyng into the quenes chambre, all appareled in short cotes of Kentish Kendal, with hodes on their heddes, and hosen of the same, every one of them his bowe and arrowes, and a sworde and a bucklar, like outlawes, or ‘Robyn’ Hodes men; whereof the quene, the ladies, and al other there were abashed, aswell for the straunge sight, as also for their sodain commyng: and after certayn daunces and pastime made thei departed” (Hen. VIII. fo. 6, b). The same author gives the following curious account of “A maiynge” in the 7th year of this monarch (1516): “The kyng & the quene, accompanied with many lordes & ladies, roade to the high grounde on Shoters hil to take the open ayre, and as they passed by the way they espied a company of tall yomen, clothed all in grene, with grene whodes & bowes and arrowes, to the number of ii. C. Then one of them whiche called hymselfe Robyn Hood, came to the kyng, desyring hym to se his men shote, & the kyng was content. Then he whisteled, and all the ii. C. archers shot & losed at once; and then he whisteled again, and they likewyse shot agayne; their arrowes whisteled by craft of the {xcviii} head, so that the noyes was straunge and great, and muche pleased the kyng, the quene, and all the company. All these archers were of the kynges garde, and had thus appareled themselves to make solace to the kynge. Then Robyn Hood desyred the kyng and quene to come into the grene wood, and to se how the outlawes lyve. The kyng demaunded of the quene and her ladyes, if they durst adventure to go into the wood with so many outlawes. Then the quene said, if it pleased hym, she was content. Then the hornes blewe tyll they came to the wood under Shoters-hill, and there was an arber made of bowes, with a hal, and a great chamber, and an inner chamber, very well made and covered with floures and swete herbes, which the kyng muche praised. Then sayd Robyn Hood, Sir, outlawes brekefastes is venyson, and therefore you must be content with such fare as we use. Then the kyng and quene sate doune, and were served with venyson and vyne by Robyn Hood and his men, to their great contentacion. Then the kyng departed and his company, and Robyn Hood and his men them conduicted: and as they were returnyng, there met with them two ladyes in a ryche chariot drawen with v. horses, and every horse had his name on his head, and on every horse sat a lady with her name written . . . . and in the chayre sate the lady May, accompanied with lady Flora, richely appareled; and they saluted the kyng with diverse goodly songes, and so brought hym to Grenewyche. At this maiyng was a greate number of people to beholde, to their great solace and confort” (fo. lvi. b).

That this sort of May-games was not peculiar to London appears from a passage in Richard Robinson’s “Third assertion Englishe historicall, frendly in favour and furtherance of English archery:”[80] {xcix}

“And, heare because of archery I do by penne explane,
The use, the proffet, and the praise, to England by the same,
Myselfe remembreth of a childe in contreye native mine, (1553)
A May-game was of Robyn Hood, and of his traine that time, (7. E. 6.)
To traine up young men, stripplings, and eche other younger childe,
In shooting, yearely this with solempne feast was by the guylde
Or brotherhood of townsmen don, with sport, with joy, and love,
To proffet which in present tyme, and afterward did prove.”

The games of Robin Hood seem to have been occasionally of a dramatic cast. Sir John Paston, in the time of King Edward IV., complaining of the ingratitude of his servants, mentions one who had promised never to desert him, “and ther uppon,” says he, “I have kepyd hym thys iii yer to pleye seynt Jorge, and Robyn Hod and the sheryf off Notyngham,[81] and now when I wolde have good horse he is goon into Bernysdale, and I withowt a keeper.”

In some old accounts of the churchwardens of St. Helen’s at Abingdon, Berks, for the year 1556, there is an entry For setting up Robin Hoodes Bower; I suppose, says {c} Warton, for a parish interlude. (See History of English Poetry, ii. 175.)[82] {ci}

In some places, at least, these games were nothing more, in effect, than a morris-dance, in which Robin Hood, Little John, Maid Marian, and Frier Tuck were the principal personages; the others being a clown or fool, the hobby-horse (which appears, for some reason or other, to have been frequently forgot[83]), the taborer, and the dancers, who were more or less numerous. Thus Warner:

“At Paske began our morrise, and ere penticost our May,
Tho Roben Hood, liell John, frier Tuck, and Marian deftly play,
And lard and ladie gang till kirke with lads and lasses gay.”[84]

Perhaps the clearest idea of these last-mentioned games, about the beginning of the 16th century, will be derived from some curious extracts given by Mr. Lysons in his valuable work intitled “The Environs of London” (vol. i. 1792, p. 226), from the contemporary accounts of the “churchwardens of the parish of Kingston upon Thames.”

“Robin Hood and May-game.

“23 Hen. 7. To the menstorell upon May-day 0 0 4 ―― For paynting of the mores garments and for sarten gret leveres[85] 0 2 4 {cii} ―― For paynting of a bannar for Robin Hode 0 0 3 ―― For 2 M. & ½ pynnys 0 0 10 ―― For 4 plyts and ½ of laun for the mores garments 0 2 11 ―― For orseden[86] for the same 0 0 10 ―― For a goun for the lady 0 0 8 ―― For bellys for the dawnsars 0 0 12 24 Hen. 7. For little John’s cote 0 8 0 1 Hen. 8. For silver paper for the mores dawnsars 0 0 7 ―― For Kendall for Robyn Hode’s cote 0 1 3 ―― For 3 yerds of white for the frere’s[87] cote 0 3 0 {ciii} ―― For 4 yards of kendall for mayde Marian’s[88] huke[89] 0 3 4 ―― For saten of sypers for the same huke 0 0 6 ―― For 2 payre of glovys for Robin Hode and mayde Maryan 0 0 3 ―― For 6 brode arovys 0 0 6 ―― To mayde Maryan for her labour for two years 0 2 0 ―― To Fygge the taborer 0 6 0 ―― Rec^d for Robyn Hod’s gaderyng 4 marks[90] {civ} 5 Hen. 8. Rec^d for Robin Hood’s gaderyng at Croydon 0 9 4 11 Hen. 8. Paid for three broad yerds of rosett for maykng the frer’s cote 0 3 6 ―― Shoes for the mores daunsars, the frere and mayde Maryan at 7^d a payre 0 5 4 13 Hen. 8. Eight yerds of fustyan for the mores daunsars coats 0 16 0 A dosyn of gold skynnes for the morres[91] 0 0 10 15 Hen. 8. Hire of hats for Robynhode 0 0 16 ―― Paid for the hat that was lost 0 0 10 16 Hen. 8. Rec^d at the church-ale and Robyn-hode all things deducted 3 10 6 ―― Paid for 6 yerds ¼ of satyn for Robyn Hode’s coyts 0 12 6 ―― For makyng the same 0 2 0 ―― For 3 ells of locram[92] 0 1 6 21 Hen. 8. For spunging and brushing Robyn-hode’s cotys 0 0 2 28 Hen. 8. Five hats and 4 porses for the daunsars 0 0 4½ ―― 4 yerds of cloth for the fole’s cote 0 2 0 ―― 2 ells of worstede for mayde Maryans kyrtle 0 6 8 ―― For 6 payre of double sollyd showne 0 4 6 ―― To the mynstrele 0 10 8 ―― To the fryer and the piper for to go to Croydon 0 0 8 29 Hen. 8. Mem. Lefte in the keping of the wardens nowe beinge.

A fryers cote of russet and a kyrtele of worstyde weltyd with red cloth, a mowrens[93] cote of buckram, and 4 morres {cv} daunsars cotes of white fustian spangelyd and two gryne saten cotes and a dysardd’s[94] cote of cotton and 6 payre of garters with bells.”

These games appear to have been discontinued at Kingston, as a parochial undertaking at least, after the above period, as the industrious inquirer found no further entries relating to them.

Some of the principal characters of the morris seem to have gradually disappeared, so that at length it consisted only of the dancers, the piper, and the fool. In Mr. Tollet’s window we find neither Robin Hood nor Little John, though Marian and the frier are still distinguished performers.[95] But in the scene of one, introduced in the old play of Jacke Drum’s Entertainment, first printed in 1601, there is not the least symptom of any of the four.[96] “The taber and pipe strike up a morrice. A shoute within: A lord, a lord, a lord, who![97]

_Ed._ Oh, a morrice is come, observe our country sports, ’Tis _Whitson tyde_,[98] and we must frolick it.

{cvi}

_Enter the morrice._

The song.

Skip it, and trip it, nimbly, nimbly, Tickle it, tickle it lustily, Strike up the taber, for the wenches favour, Tickle it, tickle it lustily. Let us be seen, on Hygate greene, To dance for the honour of Holloway. Since we are come hither, let’s spare for no leather, To dance for the honour of Holloway.

_Ed._ Well said, my boyes, I must have my lord’s livory: what is’t? a maypole? Troth, ’twere a good body for a courtier’s impreza, if it had but this life, Frustra florescit. Hold, cousin, hold.

[_He gives the fool money._

_Foole._ Thankes, cousin, when the lord my father’s audit comes, wee’l repay you againe. Your benevolence too, sir.

_Mam._ What! a lord’s sonne become a begger!

_Foole._ Why not? when beggers are become lord’s sons. Come, ’tis but a trifle.

_Mam._ Oh, sir, many a small make a great.

_Foole._ No, sir, a few great make a many small. Come, my lords, poore and neede hath no law.

_S. Ed._ Nor necessitie no right. Drum, downe with them into the celler. Rest content, rest content; one bout more, and then away.

_Foole._ ‘Spoke’ like a true heart: I kisse thy foote, sweet knight.

_The morrice sing and dance and exeunt._”

It is therefore highly probable, as hath been already suggested, that the _May-game of Robin Hood_ and the _morris-dance_ had originally no sort of connection; that the performers had united their forces, because their joint efforts proved more successful, lucrative, or agreeable; and that, in fine, the latter gradually shook off companions from whose association they no longer derived any advantage.[99]

An old writer, describing a country bridal show exhibited before Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth Castle in 1575, {cvii} mentions “a lively moris dauns, according too the auncient manner, six daunsers, mawd Marion, and the fool.”

Stubbs’s chapter, upon “Lords of mis-rule” (Anatomie of Abuses, 1583) contains a singular description of a grand parochial morris-dance, which is worthy of perusal.

It is observable that, in the sham second part of _Hudibras_, published 1663, this place is said to be

“Highly famed for _Hocktide games_.”

(Grey’s edition of _Hudibras_, ii. 90.) Of what nature these were (at Kingston) we are not informed. See Plot’s Natural History of Oxfordshire; Leland’s Collectanea, v. Roas.

_Hocktide_ or _Hock-day_ was the Tuesday fortnight after Easter. Two falsehoods are asserted of this festival: one, that its celebration was owing to the general joy excited by the death of Hardecnute, which in fact took place on the 8th of June: the other, that it was the anniversary of the general slaughter of the Danes in 1042; which Henry of Huntingdon and others expressly fix on St. Brice’s day, being the 13th of November.

It plainly appears, by these extracts, that _Robyn Hode_, _Little John_, _the frere_, and _mayde Maryan_ were fitted out at the same time with _the mores daunsars_, and, consequently, it would seem, united with them in one and the same exhibition.[100]

“Also it was said, that the ladie hir selfe, the same daie hir husband and she should be crowned, said that she feared they should prove but as a summer king and queene, such as in countrie townes the yoong folks choose for short to danse about maipoles” (Holinshed, at the year 1306).

As to the original institution of May-poles, or king and queen of May,—in a word, of the primitive purpose and celebration of a popular festival at that season,—nothing {cviii} satisfactory or consequential can be discovered. The curious reader, at the same time, may consult Spelman’s Glossary, _voce_ MAIUMA, and Ducange, _vv._ MAJUMA, MAIUS.

In an old manuscript music-book given lately by Mr. Dalziel to the Advocates’ Library are the following scraps of songs about Robin Hood:

“First when Robin good bow bare,
Was never bairne so bold,
Doune, doune, berrie, doune, doune.”

“Now will ye hear a jollie jest,
How Robin Hood was pope of Rome,
And Wallace king of France.”

“Jolly Robin goe to the green wood to thy lemman.”

“The nock is out of Johnes bow, Joly, joly,” &c.

Much curious matter on the subject of the morris-dance is to be found in “Mr. Tollet’s opinion concerning the Morris-dancers upon his Window.” (See Steevens’s Shakespeare, v. 425, edition 1778, or viii. 596, edition 1793. See also Mr. Waldron’s notes upon the Sad Shepherd, 1783, p. 255.) Morris-dancers are said to be yet annually seen in Norfolk,[101] and make their constant appearance in Lancashire.[102]

In Scotland, “The game of Robin Hood was celebrated in the month of May. The populace assembled previous to {cvix} the celebration of this festival, and chose some respectable[103] member of the corporation to officiate in the character of Robin Hood, and another in that of Little John his squire. Upon the day appointed, which was a Sunday or holyday, the people assembled in military array, and went to some adjoining field, where, either as actors or spectators, the whole inhabitants of the respective towns were convened. In this field they probably amused themselves with a representation of Robin Hood’s predatory exploits, or of his encounters with the officers of justice [rather, perhaps, in feats of archery or military exercises].

“As numerous meetings for disorderly mirth are apt to engender tumult, when the minds of the people came to be agitated with religious controversy, it was found necessary to repress the game[104] of Robin Hood by public statute. The populace were by no means willing to relinquish their favourite amusement. Year after year the magistrates of Edinburgh were obliged to exert their authority[105] in repressing this game; often ineffectually. In the year 1561, the mob were so enraged at being disappointed in making a Robin Hood, that they rose in mutiny, seized on the city gates, committed robberies upon strangers; and one of the {cx} ringleaders being condemned by the magistrates to be hanged, the mob forced open the jail, set at liberty the criminal and all the prisoners, and broke in pieces the gibbet erected at the cross for executing the malefactor. They next assaulted the magistrates, who were[106] sitting in the council-chamber, and who fled to the Tolbooth for shelter, where the mob attacked them, battering the doors, and pouring stones through the windows. Application was made to the deacons of the corporations to appease the tumult. Remaining, however, unconcerned spectators, they made this answer: ‘They will be magistrates alone; let them rule the people alone.’ The magistrates were kept in confinement till they made proclamation be published, offering indemnity to the rioters upon laying down their arms. Still, however, so late as the year 1592, we find the General Assembly complaining of the profanation of the sabbath, by making[107] of Robin Hood plays” (Arnot’s History of Edinburgh, p. 77).

Notwithstanding the above representation, it is certain that these amusements were considerably upon the decline before the year 1568. This appears from a poem by Alexander Scot, preserved in the Hyndford MS. (in the Advocates’ Library, compiled and written in that identical year), and inaccurately printed in The Evergreen:

“In May quhen men zeid everichone
With Robene Hoid and Littill Johne,
To bring in bowis and birkin bobbynis:
Now all sic game is fastlingis gone,
But gif it be amangis clovin Robbynis.”

(35) —“_His bow, and one of his arrows, his chair, his cap, and one of his slippers were preserved till within the present century._”] “We omitted,” says Ray, “the sight of Fountain’s Abbey, where Robin Hood’s bow is kept” (Itineraries, 1760, p. 161).

“Having pleased ourselves with the antiquities of ‘Notingham,’ we took horse and went to visit the well and {cxi} ancient chair of Robin Hood, which is not far from hence, within the forest of Sherwood. Being placed in the chair, we had a cap, which they say was his, very formally put upon our heads, and having performed the usual ceremonies befitting so great a solemnity, we receiv’d the freedom of the chair, and were incorporated into the society of that renowned brotherhood” (Brome’s Travels over England, &c., 1700, p. 85).

“On one side of this forest [sci. of Sherwood] towards Nottingham,” says the author of “The Travels of Tom Thumb over England and Wales” (_i.e._ Robert Dodsley), “I was shewn a chair, a bow, and arrow, all said to have been his [Robin Hood’s] property” (p. 82).

“I was pleased with a slipper, belonging to the famous Robin Hood, shewn me, fifty years ago, at St. Ann’s well, near Nottingham, a place upon the borders of Sherwood forest, to which he resorted” (Journey from Birmingham to London, by W. Hutton, Bir. 1785, p. 174).

(36) —“_Not only places which afforded him security or amusement, but even the well at which he quenched his thirst, still retain his name._”] Robin Hood’s Bay is both a bay and a village on the coast of Yorkshire, between Whitby and Scarborough. It is mentioned by Leland as “a fischer tounlet of 20. bootes caullid Robyn Huddes bay, a dok or bosom of a mile yn length” (Itinerary, i. 53). “When his robberies,” says Master Charlton, “became so numerous, and the outcries against him so loud, as almost to alarm the whole nation, parties of soldiers were sent down from London to apprehend him: and then it was, that fearing for his safety, he found it necessary to desert his usual haunts, and, retreating northward, to cross the moors that surrounded Whitby [one side whereof happens, a little unfortunately, to lie open to the sea], where, gaining the sea-coast, he always had in readiness near at hand some small fishing vessels, to which he could have refuge, if he found himself pursued; for in these, putting off to sea, he looked upon himself as quite secure, and held the whole power of the English nation at defiance. The chief place of his resort {cxii} at these times, where his boats were generally laid up, was about six miles from Whitby, to which he communicated his name, and which is still called Robin Hood’s Bay. There he frequently went a fishing in the summer season, even when no enemy appeared to annoy him, and not far from that place he had buts or marks set up, where he used to exercise his men in shooting with the long-bow.”[108]

Near Gloucester is “a famous hill” called “Robin Hood’s hill,” concerning which there is a very foolish modern song. Another hill of the same name exists in the neighbourhood of Castleton, Derbyshire.

“Over a spring call’d Robin Hoods well (3 or 4 miles [on] this side [_i.e._ north] of Doncaster, and but a quarter of a mile only from 2 towns call’d Skelbrough and Bourmallis) is a very handsome stone arch, erected by the Lord Carlisle, where passengers from the coach frequently drink of the fair water, and give their charity to two people who attend there” (Gent’s History of York. York, 1730, p. 234).[109] {cxiii}

Though there is no attendance at present, nor is the water altogether so fair as it might and should be, the case was otherwise in the days of honest Barnaby.

“Veni Doncaster, &c.
Nescit sitis artem modi,
Puteum Roberti Hoodi
Veni, & liquente vena
Vincto[110] catino catena,
Tollens sitim, parcum odi,
Solvens obolum custodi.”

“Thence to Doncaster, &c.
Thirst knowes neither meane nor measure,
Robin Hood’s well was my treasure;
In a[111] common dish enchained,
I my furious thirst restrained:
And because I drunk the deeper,
I paid two farthings to the keeper.”

{cxiv}

He mentions it again:

“Nunc longinquos locus odi,
Vale fons Roberti Hoodi.”

“Now I hate all foreign places,
Robin Hood’s well, and his chaces.”

A different well, sacred either to Robin Hood or to St. Ann, has been already mentioned.

“Not far [off Bitham, in Lincolnshire] is _Robyn Huddes cros_, a _limes_ of the shires” (Leland’s Itinerary, i. 25).

(37) —“_conferred as a singular distinction upon the prime minister to the king of Madagascar._”] The natives of this island, who have dealings with our people, pride themselves, it seems, in English names, which are bestowed upon them at the discretion or caprice of the sailors: and thus a venerable minister of state, who should have been called Sir Robert Walpole or Cardinal Fleury, acquired the name of Robin Hood. Mr. Ives, by whom he is frequently mentioned, relates the following anecdote:—

“The reader will excuse my giving him another instance . . . . which still more strikingly displays the extreme sensibility of these islanders, in respect to their king’s dignity. Robin Hood (who seemed to act as prime minister, and negotiate most of the king’s concerns with our agent-victualler) was one day transacting business with another gentleman of the squadron, and they happened to differ so much about the value of a certain commodity, that high words arose, and at length Robin Hood in the greatest agitation started from the ground where he was sitting, and swore that he would immediately acquaint the king of Baba with what had passed. Our English gentleman, too much heated with this threat, and the violent altercation which had preceded it, unguardedly replied, ‘D―n the king of Baba.’ The eyes of Robin Hood flashed like lightning, and in the most violent wrath he retorted, ‘D―n King George.’ At the same instant he left the spot, hurrying away towards the Madagascarian cottages. Our countryman was soon struck with the impropriety of his behaviour, followed and overtook the disputant, and having {cxv} made all proper concessions, the affair was happily terminated.”[112]

(38) “_After his death his company was dispersed._”] They and their successors, disciples, or followers are supposed to have been afterward distinguished, from the name of their gallant leader, by the title of Roberdsmen. Lord Coke, who is somewhat singular in accusing him of living “by robbery, burning of houses, felony, waste and spoil, and principally by and with vagabonds, idle wanderers, night-walkers, and draw-latches,” says that “albeit he lived in Yorkshire, yet men of his quality took their denomination of him, and were called Roberdsmen throughout all England. Against these men,” continues he, “was the statute of Winchester made in 13 E. 1. [c. 14], for preventing of robbery, murders, burning of houses, &c. Also the statute of 5 E. 3. [c. 14], which ‘recites’ the statute of Winchester, and that there had been divers manslaughters, felonies, and robberies done in times past, by people that be called Roberdsmen, wasters and draw-latches; and remedy [is] provided by that act for the arresting of them. At the parliament holden 50 E. 3.,” he adds, “it was petitioned to the king that ribauds and sturdy beggars might be banished out of every town. The answer of the king in parliament was, touching ribauds: The statute of Winchester and the declaration of the same with other statutes of Roberdsmen, and for such as make themselves gentlemen, and men of armes, and archers, if they cannot so prove theirselves, let them be driven to their occupation or service, or to the place from whence they came.” He likewise notices the statute of 7 R. 2. [c. 5], by which it is provided “that the statutes of Roberdsmen and draw-latches be firmly holden and kept” (3 Inst. 197).

These Roberdsmen are mentioned in Pierce the Ploughman’s Crede, written about 1400:

“And right as Robartesmen raken aboute.”[113]

{cxvi}

Mr. Warton, who had once thought that the friers Robertines were here meant, observes that “the expression of Robin Hoode’s men, in Bishop Latimer’s sermon, is not without an allusion to the bad sense of Roberdsmen” (H. E. P. ii. additions, sig. d. 4). It does not, however, appear that the latter word has been ever used in a good one; nor is there, after all, sufficient ground for concluding that these people were so named after Robin Hood.

(39) —“_the honour of Little John’s death and burial is contended for by rival nations._”] I. By England.—At the village of Hathersage, about six miles from Castleton, in Derbyshire, is Little John’s grave. A few years ago some curious person caused it to be opened, when there were found several bones of an uncommon size, which he preserved; but, meeting afterwards with many unlucky accidents, he carefully replaced them; partly at the intercession of the sexton, who had taken them up for him, and who had in like manner been visited with misfortunes: upon restoring the bones all these troubles ceased. Such is the tradition at Castleton. E. Hargrove, in his “Anecdotes of Archery,” York, 1792, asserts that “the grave is distinguished by a large stone placed at the head, and another at the feet, on each of which are yet some remains of the letters I. L.” (p. 26).[114] II. By Scotland.—“In Murray land,” according to that most veracious historian Maister Hector Bois, “is the kirke of Pette, quhare the banis of lytill Johne remanis in gret admiratioun of pepill. He hes bene fourtene fut of hycht[115] with square membris effering thairto. Vi. zeris,” continues he, “afore the cumyng of this {cxvii} werk to lycht we saw his hanche-bane, als mekill as the haill bane of ane man: for we schot our arme in the mouth thairof. Be quhilk apperis how strang and square pepill grew in our regioun afore thay were effeminat with lust and intemperance of mouth.”[116] III. By Ireland.—“There standeth,” as Stanihurst relates, “in Ostmantowne greene an hillocke, named little John his shot. The occasion,” he says, “proceeded of this.

“In the yeare one thousand one hundred foure score and nine, there ranged three robbers and outlaws in England, among which Robert Hood and Little John weere cheefeteins, of all theeves doubtlesse the most courteous. Robert Hood being betrayed at a nunrie in Scotland called Bricklies, the remnant of the crue was scattered, and everie man forced to shift for himselfe. Whereupon Little John was faine to flee the realme by sailing into Ireland, where he sojornied for a few daies at Dublin. The citizens being doone to understand the wandering outcast to be an excellent archer, requested him hartilie to trie how far he could shoot at random; who yeelding to their behest, stood on the bridge of Dublin, and shot to that mole hill, leaving behind him a monument, rather by his posteritie to be woondered, than possiblie by anie man living to be counterscored. But as the repaire of so notorious a champion to anie countrie would soone be published, so his abode could not be long concealed: and therefore to eschew the danger of [the] lawes, he fled into Scotland, where he died at a towne or village called Moravie.”[117] Thus Stanihurst, who is quoted by Dr. Hanmer in his Chronicle of Ireland, p. 179, but Mr. Walker, after observing that “poor Little John’s great practical skill in archery could not save him from an ignominious fate,” says, “it appeared, from some records in the Southwell family, that {cxviii} he was publicly executed for robbery on Arbor Hill, Dublin.”[118]

(40) —“_some of his descendants of the name of Nailor_,” _&c._] See the preface to the History of George a Green. As surnames were by no means in general use at the close of the twelfth century, Little John may have obtained that of Nailor from his original profession.

(“Ye boasted worthies of the knuckle,
To Maggs and to the Nailor truckle.”)

But however this, or the fact itself may be, a bow, said to have belonged to Little John, with the name of Naylor upon it, is now, as the editor is informed, in the possession of a gentleman in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

The quotation about whetstones is from the Sloane MS. Those, indeed, who recollect the equivocal meaning of the word may think that this production has not been altogether confined to the grave of Little John.

FOOTNOTES TO “NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS”, pp. xiv–cxviii

[4] See Part II. Ballad 1.

[5] All three mention a Loxley in Warwickshire, and another in Staffordshire (“near Needwood forest; the manor and seat of the Kinardsleys”).

[6] It is 1100 in the original, but that is clearly an error of the press.

[7] King Edward, it is true, is introduced in the “Lytell Geste,” &c., but the author has unquestionably meant the _first_ of that name.

[8] Thus, likewise, in a much earlier version from the same immortal bard (_Homer a la mode_, 1664), we read of

“――greate Apollo, who’s as good
At pricks and buts as _Robin Hood_.”

[9] _Alias_ R. G., the scurrilous and malignant editor of that degraded publication.

[10] The authority cited by Grafton in 1569 as then “olde and auncient” must have been at least of equal antiquity with the most ancient poems that Dr. P. is acquainted with.

[11] Stukeley’s Palæographia Britannica, No. II. p. 115. In an interleaved copy of Robin Hood’s Garland formerly belonging to Dr. Stukeley, and now in the possession of Francis Douce, esquire, opposite the second page of the first song, is the following note in his own hand:

“Guy earl of Warwick.

George Gamwell Joanna =
of Gamwell hall _magna_ │ Fitz Odoth
esq. │
│
+─────────────────────+
│
Robin Fitz Odoth

Gamwell the king’s forester in Yorkshire,
mentioned in Camden.

See my answer, No. II. of Lady Roisia,
where is Robin Hood’s true pedigree.”

The Doctor seems, by this pedigree, to have founded our hero’s pretensions on his descent from Roisia, sister of Robert Fitzgilbert, husband of Alice, youngest daughter of Judith, Countess of Huntingdon, which, whatever it might do in those times, would scarcely be thought sufficient to support such a claim at present. Beside, though John the Scot died without issue, he left three sisters, all married to powerful barons, either in Scotland or in England, none of whom, however, assumed the title. It is, therefore, probable, after all, that Robin Hood derived his earldom by some other channel.

Dr. Stukeley, whose learned labours are sufficiently known and esteemed, was a professed antiquary, and a beneficed clergyman of the Church of England. He has not, it is true, thought it necessary to cite any ancient or other authority in support of the above representations; nor is it in the editor’s power to supply the deficiency. Perhaps, indeed, the Doctor might think himself entitled to expect that his own authority would be deemed sufficient: upon that, however, they must be content to rest. _Sit fides penes auctorem!_ Mr. Parkin, who published “A reply to the peevish, weak, and malevolent objections brought by Dr. Stukeley in his Origines Roystonianæ, No. 2” (Norwich, 1748, 4to), terms “his pedigree of Robin Hood, quite jocose, an original indeed!” (See pp. 27, 32.)

Otho and Fitz-Otho, it must be confessed, were common names among the Anglo-Normans,* but no such name as Othes, Ooth, Fitz-Othes, or Fitz-Ooth, has been elsewhere met with. Philip de Kime, also, was certainly a considerable landholder in the county of Lincoln in the time of King Henry II., but it nowhere appears, except from Dr. Stukeley, that his surname was Fitz-Ooth.

The Doctor likewise informs us that the arms of Ralph Fitz-Ooth, and consequently of our hero, were “g. two bendlets engrailed, o.”

―――― * “Filius Roberti filii Odonis est in custodia Domini Regis, et est vj annorum, et ipse est heres decime partis unius militis, et vix possunt inde habere victum suum ipse et mater sua.” Rotulus de vidius, &c. (31 H. 2) MSS. Har. 624.

[12] Grafton’s Chronicle, p. 85.

[13] Collec. i. 54.

[14] See Robin Hood’s Progress to Nottingham, part ii. ballad 2.

[15] Plompton Park, upon the banks of the Peterill, in Cumberland, was formerly very large, and set apart by the kings of England for the keeping of deer. It was disafforested or disparked by Henry VIII. See Camden’s Britannia, by Bishop Gibson, who seems to confound this park with Inglewood forest, a district of sixteen miles in length, reaching from Carlisle to Penrith, where the kings of England used to hunt, and Edward I. is reported to have killed 200 bucks in one day (_Ibid._)

[16] _Anno 1194_] _Vicesima nona die mensis martii_ Richardus rex Angliæ _projectus est videre_ Clipestone, & _forrestas de_ Sirewode, _quas ipse nunquam viderat antea: & placuerunt ei multum, & eodem die rediit ad_ Notingham (R. de Hoveden, Annales, p. 736).

Drayton (Polyolbion, song 26) introduces Sherwood in the character of a nymph, who, out of disdain at the preference shown by the poet to a sister-forest,

“All self praise set apart, determineth to sing
That lusty Robin Hood, who long time like a king
Within her compass liv’d, and when he list to range,
For some rich booty set, or else his air to change,
To Sherwood still retir’d, his only standing court.”

[17] It occurs in “Tarlton’s Newes out of Purgatory,” 1630, 4to (entered on the Stationers’ books in 1590).

[18] It likewise gives the proverb noticed in a preceding page thus:

“Were he as good as George a Greene, I would strike him sure.”

[19] There is an edition in 1706, 8vo.

[20] Scotish Poems, i. 122.

[21] Surely the “lady” alluded to in the old May-game cannot be our Maid Marian. The earliest notice of her occurs in Barclay’s _Egloges_, about 1500, where she is evidently connected with Robin Hood. See Note 26.

[22] Without “the ancient songs,” to which the Doctor refers, are confined to his “old MS.,” he evidently asserts what he would probably find it difficult to prove. As for the passage he produces, it seems nothing to the purpose; as, in the first place, it is apparently not “antient,” and, in the second, it is apparently not from a “song of Robin Hood.”

[23] Mr. Warton, having observed that “The play of Robin and Marian is said to have been performed by the school-boys of Angiers, according to annual custom, in the year 1392: The boys were deguisiez, says the old French record; and they had among them un fillette desguisee (Carpent. Du Cange, v. Robinet-Pentecoste),” adds, “Our old character of Mayd Marian may be hence illustrated” (His. En. po. i. 245). This, indeed, seems sufficiently plausible; but unfortunately the Robin and Marian of Angiers are not the Robin and Marian of Sherwood. The play is still extant. See Fabliaux ou Contes, Paris, 1781, ii. 144. There are, likewise, some very ancient pastoral ballads on the subject of these two lovers. See La Borde, _Essai sur la Musique_, ii. 163, 215. But, in fact, the names of _Robin_ and _Marion_ seem to have been used by the _chansonniers_ of antiquity like those of _Colin_ and _Phœbe_, &c.

[24] In 1592, Richard Jones, stationer, entered on the Company’s books, “A plesant fancie, or merrie conceyt, called the passion et morrys, daunst by a crue of 8 couple of wores.

[25] “The quarry from whence King Wolfere fetched stones for his royal structure [_i.e._ Peterborough] was undoubtedly that of Bernach near unto Stamford . . . . And I find in the charter of K. Edward the Confessor, which he granted to the abbot of Ramsey, that the abbot of Ramsey should give to the abbot and convent of Peterburgh 4000 eeles in the time of Lent, and in consideration thereof the abbot of Peterburgh should give to the abbot of Ramsey as much freestone from his pitts in Bernack, and as much ragstone from his pitts in Peterburgh as he should need. Nor did the abbot of Peterburgh from these pits furnish only that but other abbies also, as that of St. Edmunds-Bury: in memory whereof there are two long stones yet standing upon a balk in Castor-field, near unto Gunwade-ferry; which erroneous tradition hath given out to be draughts of arrows from Alwalton churchyard thither; the one of Robin Hood, and the other of Little John; but the truth is, they were set up for witnesses, that the carriages of stone from Bernack to Gunwade-ferry, to be conveyed to S. Edmunds-Bury, might pass that way without paying toll; and in some old terrars they are called S. Edmund’s stones. These stones are nicked in their tops after the manner of arrows, probably enough in memory of S. Edmund, who was shot to death with arrows by the Danes” (Gunton’s History of the Church of Peterburgh, 1686, p. 4).

[26] “In this relation,” Mr. Walker observes, “the Doctor not only evinces his credulity, but displays his ignorance of archery; for the ingenious and learned Mr. Barrington, than whom no man can be better informed on the subject, thinks that eleven score and seven yards is the utmost extent that an arrow can be shot from a long bow” (Archæologia, vol. viii.) According to tradition, he adds, Little John shot an arrow from the Old-bridge, Dublin, to the present site of St. Michael’s church, a distance not exceeding, he believes, that mentioned by Mr. Barrington (Historical Essay on the Dress of the Ancient and Modern Irish, p. 129).

What Mr. Barrington “thinks” may be true enough, perhaps, of the Toxophilite Society and other modern archers; but people should not talk of Robin Hood who never shot in his bow. The above ingenious writer’s censure of Dr. Hanmer’s credulity and ignorance, seems to be misapplied, since he cannot be supposed to believe what he holds not for truth, and actually leaves among the lyes of the land.

See also the old song, printed in the Appendix, No. 3. Drayton, who wrote before archery had fallen into complete disuse, says—

“At marks full forty score they us’d to prick and rove.”

That Mr. Barrington, indeed, was very ill informed on the subject is evident from a most scarce book in the editor’s possession, intitled “Aime for the archers of St. George’s fields, containing the names of all the marks in the same fields, with their true distances according to the dimensuration of the line. Formerly gathered by Richard Hannis, and now corrected by Thomas Bick and others. London, Printed by N. Howell for Robert Minehard and Benjamin Brownsmith, and are to be sold at the sign of the man in the moon in Blackman street, 1664,” 16mo, where the distance from _Alpha_ to _Bick’s memorial_ is 18 score 16 yards; and 11 score 7 yards (though there are inferior numbers, the lowest being 9, 12) appears to be a very moderate shot indeed. Two of these marks are _Robin Hood_ and _Little John_. See also Shakespeare’s _Second Part of K. Henry IV._, act iii. scene 2, where it is said that _Old Double_ “would have clapp’d i’ the clout at _twelve score_; and carry’d you a forehand shaft a _fourteen_ and _fourteen and a half_;” and the notes upon the passage in Steevens’s edition, 1793. It is probable, after all, that the word _forty_ in Drayton is an error, of the transcriber or pressman, for _fourteen_.

Whatever Robin Hood’s father might do, there can be no question that the author of the old ballad in which he is mentioned (part ii. song 1) has “shot in a lusty strong bow” when he speaks of

“Two north-country miles and an inch at a shot.”

[27] Warner’s Albion’s England, 1602, p. 132. It is part of the hermit’s speech to the Earl of Lancaster.

[28] Sir Roger Williams, in his _Briefe discourse of warre_, 1590, has a chapter “To prooue bow-men the worst shot vsed in these daies.” Sir John Smythe, however, was of a different opinion. See his “Discourses concerning the formes and effects of divers sorts of weapons, &c. As also, of the great sufficiencie, excellencie, and wonderful effects of archers,” 1590, 4to. See also a different treatise by him upon the same subject in Num. 132 of the Harleian MSS.

[29] “A prince who fills the throne with a disputed title dares not arm his subjects, the only method of securing a people fully both against domestic oppression and foreign conquest” (Hume’s _Essays_, “Of the Protestant Succession”).

[30] Flemings.

[31] Breeches.

[32] Thus also in part ii. ballad 1:

“She got on her holyday kirtle and gown
They were of a light Lincolne green.”

[33] In the sign of The green man and still, we perceive a huntsman in a green coat standing by the side of a still; in allusion, as it has been facetiously conjectured, to the partiality shown by that description of gentry to a morning dram. The genuine representation, however, should be the green-man (or man who deals in green herbs) with a bundle of peppermint or penny-royal under his arm, which he brings to have distilled.

“And farewell all gaie garments now,
With jewels riche of rare devise:
Like Robin Hood, I wot not how,
I must goe raunge in woodmen’s wyse,
Cladde in a cote of greene or gray,
And gladde to get it if i maye.”

The workes of a young wyt, Done by N. B. Gent. 1577, 4to, b. l.

[34] There appears, however, to be a town of this name in Flanders, which may be the place here meant. The above conjecture, therefore, will be received for no more than it is worth.

[35] When Bulas, or Felix, the robber, was brought before Papinian, the latter asked him why he gave himself up to robbing and spoiling: “And why, sir,” was the answer, “are you ‘a governor’?” See Dio Cassius in Severus.

“Because I do that,” said the pirate to Alexander, “with a single ship which thou dost with a great fleet, I am called a thief, and thou art called a king.”

[36] See Pennant’s Tour in Scotland MDCCLXXII. part i. p. 404. The original reading, whether altered by mistake or design, is—

“—pacisque imponere morem.”

One might, to the same purpose, address our hero in the words of Plautus (Trinummus, act iv. scene x):

“Atque hanc tuam gloriam jam ante auribus acceperam, et nobiles apud
homines,
Pauperibus te parcere solitum, divites damnare atque domare.
Abi, laudo, scis ordine, ut æquom’st,
Tractare homines, hoc dis dignum’st, semper mendicis modesti sint.”

“――I’ve heard before
This commendation of you, and from great ones,
That you were wont to spare the indigent,
And crush the wealthy.—I applaud your justice
In treating men according to their merits.—
’Tis worthy of the gods to have respect
Unto the poor.”

[37]

“Richard Cœur de Lyon cald a king and conquerour was,
With Phillip king of France who did unto Jerusalemm passe:

* * * * *

In this king’s time was Robyn Hood, that archer and outlawe,
And little John his partener eke, unto them which did drawe
One hondred tall and good archers, on whom foure hondred men,
Were their power never so strong, could not give onset then;
The abbots, monkes, and carles rich these onely did molest,
And reskewd woemen when they saw of theeves them so opprest;
Restoring poore men’s goods, and eke abundantly releeved
Poore travellers which wanted food, or were with sicknes greeved.”

(Third Assertion, &c., quoted elsewhere.)

[38] That this epitaph had been printed, or was well known, at least, long before the publication of Mr. Thoresby’s book, if not before either he or Dr. Gale was born, appears from the “True Tale of Robin Hood” by Martin Parker, written, if not printed, as early as 1631. (See _post_, p. 126.) That dates, about this period, were frequently by _ides_ and _kalends_, see Madox’s _Formulare Anglicanum_ (Dissertation), p. xxx. Even Arabic figures are produced in some of still greater antiquity; see _Collectanea de rebus Hibernicis_, ii. 331. Robert Grosthead, Bishop of Lincoln, makes use of these figures about the year 1240. Astle’s _Origin of Writing_, p. 188.

[39] In “The Travels of Tom Thumb over England and Wales” [by Mr. Robert Dodsley], p. 106, is another though inferior version:

“Here, under this memorial stone,
Lies Robert earl of Huntingdon;
As he, no archer e’er was good,
And people call’d him Robin Hood:
Such outlaws as his men and he
Again may England never see.”

[40] In “a large folio volume of accounts kept by Mr. Philip Henslowe, who appears to have been proprietor of the Rose theatre near the Bankside in Southwark,” he has entered—

“Feb. 1597–8. The first part of Robin Hood, by Anthony Mundy.
The second part of the downfall of earl Huntington, sirnamed
Robinhood, by Anthony Mundy and Henry Chettle.”

In a subsequent page is the following entry: “Lent unto Robarte Shawe, the 18 of Novemb. 1598, to lend unto Mr. Cheattle, upon the mending of the first part of Robart Hoode, the sum of xs.;” and afterwards—“For mending of Robin Hood for the corte.” See Malone’s edition of “The Plays and Poems of William Shakespeare,” 1790, vol. i. part ii. (Emendations and additions.)

[41] That is, the inn so called, upon Ludgate Hill. The modern sign, which, however, seems to have been the same 200 years ago, is a bell and a wild man; but the original is supposed to have been a beautiful Indian; and the inscription, _La belle sauvage_. Some, indeed, assert that the inn once belonged to a Lady Arabella Savage; and others, that its name, originally _The bell and savage_, arose (like _The George and blue boar_) from the junction of two inns, with those respective signs. Non nostrûm est tantas componere lites.

[42] She is called the Widow Scarlet; so that Scathlocke was the elder brother. In fact, however, it was mere ignorance in the author to suppose the Scathlocke and Scarlet of the story distinct persons, the latter name being an evident corruption of the former; Scathlock, Scadlock, Scarlock, Scarlet.

[43] In “The booke of the inventary of the goods of my lord admeralles men tacken the 10 of Marche in the yeare 1598,” are the following properties for Robin Hood and his retinue in this identical play:

“_Item_, . . . . i green gown for Maryan.
_Item_, vi grene cottes for Roben Hoode, and iiii knaves sewtes.
_Item_, i hatte for Robin Hoode, i hobihorse.
_Item_, Roben Hoodes sewtte.
_Item_, the fryers trusse in Roben Hoode.”

Malone’s _Shak._ II. ii. (Emen. & ad.)

[44] George a Greene and Wakefield’s pinner were one and the same person. The shoemaker of Bradford is anonymous.

[45] Which, by the way, was termed a _hempen caudle_. See the _Second Part of K. H. VI._, act iv. scene 7. Lord-Chancellor Jeffries, at the revolution, was treated much in the same manner. One day, during his confinement in the Tower, he received a barrel of oysters, upon which he observed to his keeper, “Well, you see, I have yet some friends left:” at the bottom of the barrel, however, he found a halter; which changed his countenance, and is even thought to have hastened his death.

[46] See the ballad of “The Jolly Pinder of Wakefield,” part ii. num. iii.

[47] Fitzwater confounds one man with another; Harold Harefoot was the son and successor of Canute the great.

[48] This tradition is referred to, and the inscription given, in Ray’s Itineraries, 1760, p. 153:—“We rode through a bushet or common called Rodwell-hake, two miles from Leeds, where (according to the vulgar tradition) was once found a stag, with a ring of brass about its neck, having this inscription:

When Julius Cæsar here was king,
About my neck he put this ring;
Whosoever doth me take,
Let me go for Cæsar’s sake.”

In The Midwife, or Old Woman’s Magazine (vol. i. p. 250), Mrs. Midnight, in a letter “To the venerable society of antiquarians,” containing a description of Cæsar’s camp on Windsor forest, has the following passage: “There have been many extraordinary things discovered about this camp. One thing, I particularly remember, was a deer of about sixteen hundred years old. . . . . . This deer it seems was a favourite of Cæsar’s, and on that account he bedecked her neck with a golden collar and an inscription, which I shall by and by take notice of; she had been frequently taken, but when the hunters, the peasants, and poor people saw the golden collar on her neck, they readily let her go again. However, as she continually increased in strength and in bulk, as well as in age, after the course of about fifteen or sixteen centuries, the flesh and skin were entirely grown over this collar, so that it could not be discover’d till after she was kill’d, and then to the surprise of the virtuosi it appear’d with this inscription:

When Julius Cæsar reigned here,
Then was I a little deer;
If any man should me take,
Let me go for Cæsar’s sake.

“This collar, which is of pure gold, I am told weighs thirty ounces, and as the blood of the creature still appears fresh upon it, I believe it may be as valuable as any of your gimcracks; however, there will be no harm in my sending of it to you; and if I can procure it, you may depend on my taking the utmost care of it.” As no notice is announced of this wonderful piece of antiquity in the voluminous and important lucubrations of the above learned body, it most probably never came into their possession; which is very much to be lamented, as it would have been an admirable companion for _Hardecnute’s chamber-pot_, _King Edward the first’s finger_, and other similar curiosities.

Juvenal des Ursins gravely relates that in the year 1380 a hart was taken at Senlis with a chain about his neck inscribed “_Cæsar hoc me donavit_.”*

Upton, to be even with him, supposes a hart to have been taken at Bagshot near Windsor, with a motto on the collar in the French language, which proves the ancient Romans were familiar therewith long before it existed:

“_Julius Cæsar, quant jeo fus petis,
Cest coler suz mon col ad mys._Ӡ

This _dictator perpetuo_, in fact, seems to have collared every hart he took. The family of _Pompei_ in Italy use two harts for their supporters on whose collars were the letters N. M. T., in memory of one on whose collar were these words: “N_emo_ M_e_ T_angat_, _Cæsaris sum_.” Anstis, ii. 113.