Robin Hood: The History and Folklore of the English Legend

By: Charles River Editors

Narrated by: Jack Chekijian

Length: 1 hr and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

This audiobook profiles the historic figures who scholars speculate may be the person Robin Hood was based on, and explains the origins and evolution of Robin Hood.

"Robin Hood, Robin Hood, riding through the glen Robin Hood, Robin Hood, with his band of men Feared by the bad, loved by the good Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Robin Hood." - Theme Song from The Adventures of Robin Hood

There are few characters in the English language more iconic than Robin Hood. Emerging out of the ballads of the High Middle Ages and surviving through numerous permutations to the present day, the green-clad archer has become an icon. Today he represents a playful, irreverent, and cunning resistance to corruption and injustice, associated primarily with stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Robin Hood's selfless acts of helping the masses at the expense of himself (by not keeping his treasure) have led to contemporary figures like Bill Gates being called "Modern Day Robin Hoods". And when a British man robbed a bank in 2013 and handed out the money to homeless people before he was arrested and imprisoned, the name Robin Hood was naturally in the news once more.

Robin Hood is a celebrated folk hero and a kind of good thief, but the earliest stories about Robin Hood depict a far different character. The first Robin Hood was often a brutal and selfish yet also honorable figure, an anti-hero loved (perhaps paradoxically) by many social classes and loathed by authorities. When the notorious Gunpowder Plot was discovered at the beginning of the 17th century, the Earl of Salisbury condemned Guy Fawkes and the conspirators for being "Robin Hoods".

The transformation of Robin Hood over the centuries has left many scholars attempting to find the origins behind the original story.

©2012 Charles River Editors (P)2015 Charles River Editors

Scholarly examination of ballad to Disney & beyond

One hour scholarly examination of the variations and transformations of the tale known as Robin Hood from the high middle ages to present day with nods given to Sir Walter Scott, Douglas Fairbanks, and later movies. Was he real? Was ANY version based in truth? Listen and learn.
JC has a pleasant voice quality, inflection, and cadence and saves such scholarly work from becoming a boring lecture.

A real man? From villain to hero? Fascinating!

The legends of Robin Hood arose in Medieval times and were carried forth in the Renaissance and modernized by Hollywood. This book takes us back to the earliest stories of Robin Hood, the changes the tales underwent in the Renaissance, and the enduring traits that have survived into modern retellings.

Here is another educational book from Charles River Editors. I had always assumed that Robin Hood was a fictional legend. However, there may indeed have been a man that the earliest stories were based on. It’s still debated in history circles. In addition, the earliest tales had a much more practical, gruff man at the center. He wasn’t the Lionheart loving, giving to poor hero that we all think of today.

In fact, many of the attributes that modern retellings include didn’t come about until the late Medieval, or early Renaissance time period. For instance, there were no Friars in Medieval England, so the character Friar Tuck obviously didn’t occur in the earliest tales. Also, the Renaissance Tudors felt the need to elevate Robin Hood and managed to ‘research’ a noble lineage for the man.

Indeed, this book was an eye opener for me. Granted, I had never really looked into Robin Hood’s history. I think this book would be great for other folks for have previously only had a passing interest.

The Narration: Once again, Jack Chekijian did a great job. I like that he has the right mix of excitement for the subject and professorial air to keep us all grounded.

That's stretchin' it! I've seen both movies! "Prin

ce of Thieves" and "Men in Tights" It's really not that big of a deal.

Succinct Taste of Robin Hood Histories

What made the experience of listening to Robin Hood: The History and Folklore of the English Legend the most enjoyable?

I really enjoyed the fact that it was a very succinct summation of Robin Hood myths and historical references. This would be a great starting point for anyone wanting to know where to start for further research into this particular character in myth and reality.

Which character – as performed by Jack Chekijian – was your favorite?

Chekijian gave a very good narration throughout. He put just enough emphasis on words as needed to keep me interested and focused on the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely listened to this one in one sitting. At less than 2 hours long, it was the perfect bite size story to fill an evening drive for work.

Any additional comments?

This is not an exhaustive exploration of all of the texts or history of Robin Hood by any means, so if one goes in expecting that - they will be disappointed. It WAS full of information every minute of the short listening though, so I can recommend it for someone that wants a bite size piece of history.

I received this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Robin Hood, the folklore and history...

I received this book as a gift in exchange for a honest and unbiased review. This book explores the differences in the legends of Robin Hood and how we portrayed him through out the years. Even in movies Robin Hood has been portrayed in many different ways. While this book isn't the super exciting blockbuster, it is interesting enough to keep my attention. Sometimes history and behaviors really fascinate me.

The author, Charles River Editors did a fine job in their research. The material is original and changes as our world changes (our folklore changes with time too). The narrator, Jack Chekijian did a good job narrating this book and has a well developed voice for narrations.

Robin Hood. A Folk Legend or did he really exist.

I loved this audiobook. For me, growing up AND when my kids were little, Robin Hood was just folklore and fairytale. But did Robin Hood really exist?

Sherwood Forest was created in 968 AD by local nobility and the Kings had lodges in the forest. The Sheriff of Nottingham was real and the locals formed the band of Merry Men. So who was Robin Hood?

Robin Hood was possibly someone who used the pseudonym from the name William Robyn Hode. He was considered an anti-hero and even a medieval Godfather. He was associated with Maid Marian and May Day. All the places and characters are there including the oak tree and the well. Much can be found from the early ballads.

I wonder if Robin Hood did indeed exist as a brotherhood since it was connected with monks and Friar Tuck and the idea carried on through the ages until it became folklore. Today it seems as if the name is connected to a theme. This was a really neat listen.

Jack Chekijian is one of my favorite narrators. I enjoyed the way he told this story from Charles Rivers Editors. This was a great listen and a perfect match for author and narrator.