“Robin Hood and the Beggar (II)”
Description
Robin asks money of a beggar who answers disdainfully. They fight. The beggar wins and goes off. Robin is found by three of his men. He sends two to avenge his disgrace. They ambush the beggar, but he bribes and tricks them and gets away.
Notes
For background on the Robin Hood legend, see the notes on "A Gest of Robyn Hode" [Child 117].
Fully half the Robin Hood ballads in the Child collection (numbers (121 -- the earliest and most basic example of the type), 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 130, 131, 132, (133), (134), (135), (136), (137), (150)) share all or part of the theme of a stranger meeting and defeating Robin, and being invited to join his band. Most of these are late, but it makes one wonder if Robin ever won a battle. - RBW
References
- Child 134, "Robin Hood and the Beggar II" (1 text)
- Bronson 134, "Robin Hood and the Beggar II" (1 version)
- Leach, pp. 388-397, "Robin Hood and the Beggar, II" (1 text)
- Roud #3392
- BI, C134