Next

Preface

The author says the book is not for readers who think there is no room for joy and laughter in life, as they would be scandalized by the mix of real historical figures and places and fictional ones in the book.

Prologue

In Sherwood Forest, near Nottingham, England, on his way to an archery match, young Robin Hood makes a bet with some foresters and inadvertently kills one of King Henry II's deer and then a relative of the Sheriff of Nottingham. Pursued by the sheriff, Robin hides in the forest and creates a band of outlaws. Later, a tall and strong man, Little John, bests him on a fight and becomes Robin's right-hand.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of the Prologue.

Part First

The sheriff recruits the tinker Wat o' the Crabstaff to catch Robin Hood. Robin gets him drunk, fights him, and then invites him to join his band. The sheriff then announces an archery competition, which Robin attends in disguise and wins. The sheriff's constables arrest one of Robin's men, Will Stutely, and take him to be hanged. Robin's men rescue him, fight the sheriff and constables, and escape back to the woods.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Part First.

Part Second

Holden decides to return to New York. On his way to the Edmonton Hotel, Holden asks the cab driver what happens to the ducks in Central Park during the winter, a question that annoys the driver. At the Edmonton, Holden fails to arrange a date with Faith Cavendish.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Part Second.

Part Third

Little John fights the tanner Arthur a Bland, but loses. Robin invites Arthur to their band. The three men then meet a young man in fancy scarlet clothes. After teasing and fighting him, Robin discovers he is his nephew Will Gamwell, now also an outlaw, invites him to their band, and names him Will Scarlet. The four men are then attacked by Midget, a miller. After being rescued by his band, Robin invites the miller to join them.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Part Third.

Part Fourth

To help a young man, Allan a Dale, marry his sweetheart, Ellen o' the Dale, who is being forced to marry an old man, Sir Stephen of Trent, Robin searches for a friar, is tricked and attacked by him, but manages to bring him to the forest. Then Robin and his men interrupt Ellen and Sir Stephen's wedding, Robin pays for her dowry, and Friar Tuck marries the young couple and joins Robin's band.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Part Fourth.

Part Fifth

Robin asks the rich Bishop of Hereford to help Sir Richard of Lea, an impoverished knight forced to borrow from the Priory of Emmet to save his son from prison. As the bishop doesn't respond, Robin distributes part of the bishop's money to Sir Richard and keeps him in Sherwood until the knight has paid his debts. One year later, Sir Richard gives Robin and his men the amount they stole for him and expensive bows and arrows.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Part Fifth.

Part Sixth

Little John disguises himself as a friar, flirts with some young women, and then tricks some friars out of their money for not helping him. Robin trades clothes with a beggar who had money hidden in his coat, then is attacked by other beggars, fights them, and takes their money. Later, Robin tricks and scares a dishonest corn dealer into giving him his shoes, where the trader hid money when going through the forest.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Part Sixth.

Part Seventh

Queen Eleanor invites Robin and his men to be her archers in a competition against the king's. They win but, recognized and warned of the king's wrath, have to flee. Pursued by the king's men, Robin trades clothes with a clobber and then steals the clothes of a friar, which makes both men be arrested. Sir Richard advises him to ask for the queen's mercy in London. She convinces the king and Robin returns to Sherwood.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Part Seventh.

Part Eighth

The sheriff sends Guy of Gisbourne, an outlaw, to catch Robin, but Robin kills him and goes after the sheriff. Little John frees two young brothers about to be hanged, is captured, but rescued by Robin. The new king, Richard, decides to clear Sherwood from Robin's band but, after meeting them and Sir Richard's intercession, pardons them, takes Robin and some men into his service in London, and makes the others royal rangers of the forest.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Part Eighth.

Epilogue

After King Richard's death, Robin, now an earl, visits Sherwood, reunites with his men, and decides to stay. The new king, John, sends the sheriff after him, but Robin's men kill him. Robin gets sick and is taken to a prioress for treatment, but she wounds him and locks him up. Little John rescues him, but, weak, Robin dies. After his death, his men part ways and are left alone by the new, forgiving sheriff.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of the Epilogue.

 

Next section Prologue

Take a Study Break