[Illustration: MARRIAGE OF ALLEN A DALE. J. Gilbert Day & Haghe lithographers to the Queen] ROBIN HOOD AND HIS MERRY FORESTERS. BY STEPHEN PERCY, AUTHOR OF “TALES OF THE KINGS OF ENGLAND” “Merry it is in the good green-wood, When the mavis and merle are singing.” LONDON: TILT AND BOGUE, FLEET STREET. MDCCCXLI. LONDON: CLARKE, PRINTERS, SILVER STREET, FALCON SQUARE. TO MY SISTER ELIZA, WITH A BROTHER’S MOST AFFECTIONATE LOVE, I DEDICATE These Stories of my Boyhood. CONTENTS. EARLY SCHOOL DAYS.—THE OLD SYCAMORE-TREE.—ROBIN HOOD’S YOUTH.—THE OUTLAWS OF SHERWOOD.—ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN.—ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER.—THE GAY FORESTER. Page 1 OUR SECOND MEETING.—ALLEN-A-DALE’S MARRIAGE.—THE MONKS’ PRAYER—ROBIN HOOD AND THE RANGER.—GUY OF GISBORNE.—WILL STUTELY’S CAPTURE.—THE RESCUE.—ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR. 29 THE THIRD EVENING.—THE OUTLAWS’ SPORTS.—ROBIN HOOD AND THE FRIAR OF FOUNTAINS’ DALE.—THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD.—A PRIESTLY QUARREL.—A MERRY DANCE. 63 OUR HALF-HOLIDAY.—THE WOOD.—ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S DAY.—FINSBURY FIELD.—THE QUEEN’S CHAMPION.—THE OUTLAW’S PARDON.—THE KNIGHT OF WIERYSDALE.—ROBIN HOOD’S GENEROSITY.—THE ABBOT OF ST. MARY’S. 87 OUR FIFTH MEETING.—REYNOLDE GRENELEFE.—THE SILVER BUGLE-HORN.—THE SHERIFF’S PANTRY.—A CURIOUS COLOURED STAG.—THE SHERIFF’S COUCH.—A RURAL FAIR.—THE MONKS OF ST. MARY’S.—THE KNIGHT’S GRATITUDE. 112 OUR LAST EVENING.—THE SHERIFF’S COMPLAINT.—THE GOLDEN ARROW.—ROBIN HOOD’S SMILE OF TRIUMPH.—A DESPERATE COMBAT.—WIERYSDALE CASTLE.—THE SHERIFF’S DEATH.—THE OUTLAW’S ALLEGIANCE AND PARDON.—ROBIN HOOD’S REBELLION.—HIS DEATH. 135 LIST OF PLATES. MARRIAGE OF ALLEN-A-DALE _frontispiece_ THE FORESTERS’ WELCOME _p._ 14 ROBIN HOOD AND GUY OF GISBORNE 46 ROBIN HOOD AND THE FRIAR 72 THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD 82 THE KNIGHT OF WIERYSDALE 110 THE GOLDEN ARROW 138 THE OUTLAWS’ ALLEGIANCE 150 ROBIN HOOD. EARLY SCHOOL-DAYS. Tales of Robin Hood and his merry foresters were the delight of my boyhood.