“Robin Hood and the Shepherd”
Description
Robin comes upon a shepherd and demands to know the contents of his bag and bottle. The shepherd defies him. They fight. The shepherd wins. Robin blows his horn. Little John answers the call but the shepherd thrashes him as well.
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 135, "Robin Hood and the Shepherd" (1 text)
- Bronson 135, comments only
- BarryEckstormSmyth p. 451, "Robin Hood and the Shepherd" (brief notes only)
- BBI, RZN1, "All gentlemen and yeomen good"
- Roud #3985
- BI, C135