Page "Robin Hood" Paragraph 93

In the 18th century, the stories began to develop a slightly more farcical vein.

From this period there are a number of ballads in which Robin is severely " drubbed " by a succession of professionals including a tanner, a tinker and a ranger.

In fact, the only character who does not get the better of Hood is the luckless Sheriff.

Yet even in these ballads Robin is more than a mere simpleton: on the contrary, he often acts with great shrewdness.

The tinker, setting out to capture Robin, only manages to fight with him after he has been cheated out of his money and the arrest warrant he is carrying.

In Robin Hood's Golden Prize, Robin disguises himself as a friar and cheats two priests out of their cash.

Even when Robin is defeated, he usually tricks his foe into letting him sound his horn, summoning the Merry Men to his aid.

When his enemies do not fall for this ruse, he persuades them to drink with him instead.