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The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
By Howard Pyle
Robin killed one of the king's deer in Sherwood Forest, and that made him in outlaw. He retreated from society into Sherwood Forest, and gathered many other outlaws around him. Many had hunted the king's deer to feed their families, others had cheated out of their money or taxed into poverty. They agreed amongst themselves that they would rob only the rich and powerful and that they would give to the poor in times of need. In time, they became known as Robin Hood and his Merry Men.
To tempt Robin Hood out of Sherwood, the Sheriff of Nottingham held an archery contest. Robin and the Merry Men came in disguise, but armed just in case trouble happened. The best archers of all England came, but Robin Hood won the contest and the prize.
The Sheriff then gathered his men and sent them to bring back Robin Hood, but they returned empty-handed. Robin decided the Sheriff deserved a feast in his honor, and donned a disguise. He went to Nottingham and put out the rumor that he was a rich fool. The Sheriff, always greedy, sought to trick this butcher out of his gold, so they journeyed together. The journey ended in Sherwood, where Robin held a feast for the Sheriff before taking all of his money and sending him home.
One fine day, Robin Hood came across Guy de Gisbourne, whom the Sheriff had promised much wealth for the return of Robin Hood, dead or alive. A fierce duel followed, but Robin Hood eventually proved victorious.
Of course, Robin Hood also famously rescued Maid Marion from the Sheriff and married her, as well as thwarted the tax collectors of the vile Prince John, eventually outing the Prince in front of the rightful King, Richard the Lionheart, who had been away at the Crusades, leaving John in charge.
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