“Robin Hood's Progress to Nottingham”

Description

Robin at age 15 falls in with 15 foresters in Nottingham. He intends to enter a shooting match. They taunt him with his youth. He wagers on his ability and wins by killing a hart, but they refuse to pay. He kills them all, escapes to the merry green wood.

Notes

For background on the Robin Hood legend, see the notes on "A Gest of Robyn Hode" [Child 117]. - RBW

This, according to broadside Bodleian Douce Ballads 3(120a) and all other broadsides withi list a tune, is to be sung to the tune of "Bold Robin Hood." But Bronson notes that this song cannot be identified, and that several Robin Hood ballads use the same stanza form. - BS, RBW

Broadsides

  • Bodleian, Wood 402(14, 15), "Robin Hoods Progresse to Nottingham," F. Grove (London), 1623-1661; also Wood 401(37) [partly illegible], "Robin Hoods Progresse to Nottingham"; Douce Ballads 3(120a), "Robin Hood's progress to Nottingham" [subtitle "Shewing how he slew fifteen foresters"]

References

  1. Child 139, "Robin Hood's Progress to Nottingham" (1 text)
  2. Bronson 139, "Robin Hood's Progress to Nottingham" (2 versions)
  3. Creighton/Senior, pp. 69-70, "Robin Hood's Progress to Nottingham" (1 text (composite from 2 singers), 1 tune) {Bronson's #2}
  4. Creighton-NovaScotia 7, "Robin Hood's Progress to Nottingham" (1 fragment, 1 tune) {Bronson's #1}
  5. Leach, pp. 400-402 "Robin Hood's Progress to Nottingham" (1 text)
  6. BBI, RZN19, "Robin Hood he was a tall young man"
  7. DT 139, RHPROGNT
  8. Roud #1790
  9. BI, C139

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1656 (Stationer's Register)
Found in: Canada(Mar)