“Robin Hood and the Scotchman”
Description
"Bold Robin Hood to the north he would go... with valour and mickle might... To fight and recover his right." Robin meets a Scotsman, and offers him a job providing he can pass a test of strength. The Scot pummels Robin and joins his band
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 130, "Robin Hood and the Scotchman" (2 texts)
- Bronson 130, comments only
- BBI, (no number given; should perhaps be ZRN24), "Then bold Robin Hood to the north"
- Roud #3984
- BI, C130