
Imagining Robin Hood
The Late Medieval Stories in Historical Context
A. J. Pollard(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 30. March 2007
Book
Paperback/Softback
300 pages
978-0-415-40493-8 (ISBN)
Description
A.J Pollard takes us back to the earliest surviving stories of Robin Hood, the stories, tales and ballads of the fifteenth century and he re-examines the story of this fascinating figure. Setting out the economic, social and political context of the time, Pollard illuminates the legend of this yeoman hero and champion of justice as never before.
Imagining Robin Hood examines:
* what a 'yeoman' was, and what it meant to a fifteenth-century Englishman
* Was Robin Hood hunted as an outlaw, or respected as an officially appointed forest ranger?
* Why do we ignore the fact that this celebrated hero led a life of crime?
* Did he actually steal from the rich and give to the poor?
Answering these questions, the book looks at how Robin Hood was 'all things to all men' since he first appeared; speaking to the gentry, the peasants and all those in between. The story of the freedom-loving outlaw tells us much about the English nation, but tracing back to the first stories reveals even more about the society in which the legend arose.
An enthralling read for all historians and general readers of this fascinating subject.
Imagining Robin Hood examines:
* what a 'yeoman' was, and what it meant to a fifteenth-century Englishman
* Was Robin Hood hunted as an outlaw, or respected as an officially appointed forest ranger?
* Why do we ignore the fact that this celebrated hero led a life of crime?
* Did he actually steal from the rich and give to the poor?
Answering these questions, the book looks at how Robin Hood was 'all things to all men' since he first appeared; speaking to the gentry, the peasants and all those in between. The story of the freedom-loving outlaw tells us much about the English nation, but tracing back to the first stories reveals even more about the society in which the legend arose.
An enthralling read for all historians and general readers of this fascinating subject.
Reviews / Votes
'This pithy, intriguing study ... offers fascinating insights into the Reformation in England.' - Christopher Silvester, The Sunday Times 'This pithy, intriguing study ... offers fascinating insights into the Reformation in England.' - Christopher Silvester, The Sunday Times'His overview is ... fascinating.' - Warrington Guardian
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
General and Professional Practice & Development
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Weight
274 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-415-40493-8 (9780415404938)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
10/2004
1st Edition
Routledge
€230.65
Article not available at the moment

E-Book
08/2004
Routledge
€45.99
Available for download

E-Book
08/2004
Routledge
€45.99
Available for download
Person
A. J. Pollard is Professor of History at the University of Teesside. He is the author of The Wars of the Roses (2001), and Late Medieval England, 1399-1509 (2000)
Content
1. Texts and Context 2. Yeomanry 3. A Greenwood Far Away 4. Crime, Violence and the Law 5. Religion and the Religious 6. Fellowship and Fraternity 7. Authority and the Social Order 8. History and Memory 9. Farewell to Merry England