The King's Disguise, and Friendship with Robin Hood
Encyclopedia
The King’s Disguise, and Friendship with Robin Hood is Child ballad 151. It holds the common tradition of the end of Robin Hood
's outlawry, although it is a relative late ballad, as it puts Robin firmly in King Richard's reign. Also, unlike A Gest of Robyn Hode
, an earlier version, the king is not acting out of the need to suppress Robin.
decides he must see Robin Hood
and disguises himself as an abbot and his men as monks. Robin finds them and disbelieves him when he says they are royal messengers, but affirming he has done no harm to the innocent, brings them to an entertainment. They feed them and have an archery contest. The king asks if Robin could receive a pardon, would he serve the king? Robin says he would. The king reveals himself, they go to Nottingham to eat with the sheriff, and Robin goes to court to serve the king.
This ballad was adapted into the final episode of Season One of Robin of Sherwood
. However, in this version, Little John
realises that the King has little interest in Robin's advice and is treating him as a court jester
. Robin is initially disbelieving, but when he speaks out against the King's plans to raise taxes for his war against Philip II of France
, Richard decides he has gone too far, and he must escape from the King's assassins, back to Sherwood Forest.
Robin Hood
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
's outlawry, although it is a relative late ballad, as it puts Robin firmly in King Richard's reign. Also, unlike A Gest of Robyn Hode
A Gest of Robyn Hode
"A Gest of Robyn Hode" is Child Ballad 117; it is also called A Lyttell Geste of Robyn Hode in one of the two oldest books that contain it....
, an earlier version, the king is not acting out of the need to suppress Robin.
Synopsis
King RichardRichard I of England
Richard I was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death. He also ruled as Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Count of Nantes, and Overlord of Brittany at various times during the same period...
decides he must see Robin Hood
Robin Hood
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
and disguises himself as an abbot and his men as monks. Robin finds them and disbelieves him when he says they are royal messengers, but affirming he has done no harm to the innocent, brings them to an entertainment. They feed them and have an archery contest. The king asks if Robin could receive a pardon, would he serve the king? Robin says he would. The king reveals himself, they go to Nottingham to eat with the sheriff, and Robin goes to court to serve the king.
Adaptions
Many movie versions of the Robin Hood story conclude with the appearance of King Richard in disguise, returning from the Crusades.This ballad was adapted into the final episode of Season One of Robin of Sherwood
Robin of Sherwood
Robin of Sherwood , was a British television series, based on the legend of Robin Hood. Created by Richard Carpenter, it was produced by HTV in association with Goldcrest, and ran from 1984 to 1986 on the ITV network. In America it was retitled Robin Hood and shown on the premium cable TV channel...
. However, in this version, Little John
Little John
Little John was a legendary fellow outlaw of Robin Hood, and was said to be Robin's chief lieutenant and second-in-command of the Merry Men.-Folklore:He appears in the earliest recorded Robin Hood ballads and stories...
realises that the King has little interest in Robin's advice and is treating him as a court jester
Court jester
A jester, joker, jokester, fool, wit-cracker, prankster, or buffoon was a person employed to tell jokes and provide general entertainment, typically for a European monarch. Jesters are stereotypically thought to have worn brightly colored clothes and eccentric hats in a motley pattern...
. Robin is initially disbelieving, but when he speaks out against the King's plans to raise taxes for his war against Philip II of France
Philip II of France
Philip II Augustus was the King of France from 1180 until his death. A member of the House of Capet, Philip Augustus was born at Gonesse in the Val-d'Oise, the son of Louis VII and his third wife, Adela of Champagne...
, Richard decides he has gone too far, and he must escape from the King's assassins, back to Sherwood Forest.