Robin Hood
This week's
interview is with that famous outlaw, Robin Hood. It's hard to get Robin away
from his merry men, and even harder to pry him away from Maid Marian, but we
managed it. We'll see if we can shed some light on this legendary figure.
Greg: Welcome, Robin,
it's great to have you in from the cold for a minute.
Robin: Thank
you, good sir. It is an honor to speak with such an august personage as
yourself.
Greg:
You flatter me, sir. I was wondering if you could tell us a little bit about
your youth.
Robin:
It was so long ago that I can scarce remember it. I was born in the early 12h
century...hold. No, it may have been later, perhaps the 13h century. Ah well,
'tis no matter, all water under the bridge. In any event, I was born and grew
up strong and true in England's green and pleasant hills. It was there I
learned the archer's art, and sword craft.
I practiced
uncounted hours, until as an archer I was without peer throughout the length
and breadth of England. As a swordsman, I was scarcely far behind. In fact, I
daresay that among all the swordsmen of the realm, there were only two or three
that could best me.
Greg:
How did you become an outlaw?
Robin: Ah,
now there we come to the crux of the matter, one that shaped my destiny, if you
will. There are scores of theories circulating throughout the shire, nay,
throughout the country, but I shall shed the light of truth on the matter.
I was a
stout yeoman, not noble born, but I considered myself as good as any man alive.
When good King Richard left England for the Crusades, his brother Prince John
robbed the poor in taxes to pay for his gluttonous ways...hold again. Perhaps
it was good King Edward that I served. Ah well, as before it is of little
moment. The point is that I robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. Yes,
that is what history shall remember.
Greg;
Right, right, why should details get in the way? It was all a long, long time
ago. Which begs the next question. Are you a historical figure, or a fictional
character?
Robin: Well
asked, my good fellow! What is history? What is fiction? Answer those two
questions, my lad, and you'll find that the answer to the question of my origin
lies somewhere in between. I am neither wholly real, nor wholly
fictitious.
While I have
come to symbolize all that is good and noble in human nature, I as a person of
mere flesh and blood could not hope to live up to the expectations that history
has placed upon me. Therefore, is it not unreasonable to assume that a certain
amount of fictional embellishment may have occurred over the course of
centuries?
However, at
the core, I am the man of which the legends sing. Many of the deeds which are
credited to me, I actually did perform.
Greg:
Tell me about your merry men. Who was your favorite?
Robin: Another
excellent question, my lord. My merry men are a joy to me. A stouter band of
ruffians and yeomen I could never hope to find! Over the course of the
centuries, history and legend have given them their personalities, making them,
too, larger than life. Who could forget heroes with names like Will Scarlet,
Little John, Much the Miller's Son, and of course Friar Tuck.
The good
friar is the one I'd want most with me in the heat of battle. No hardier
warrior have I known. And none so quick to celebrate a victory with a joint of
mutton and a jug of ale. There is also the added benefit that, when stuck in a
tight spot, he could administer Last Rites and send you clean of conscience to
your Maker if need be.
Greg:
I think people would like to know what happened to you after you were pardoned?
Robin: Ah
well, I do believe the phrase is "lived happily ever after". The
good king, Richard...or Edward depending on which version of my life you
prefer, granted me lands and the hand of the lovely Maid Marian. I, brash boy
that I am, took all of the fair damsel and lived to a ripe old age.
Although I
left the world's stage at that point, legend was not through with me. My
deeds grew and grew until even I could scarce recognize my little life from the
thing of sheer magnificence that it now is. It truly is an amazing thing.
Greg: Yes,
well thank you so much for taking some time out from your legendary schedule.
Robin: It
was a time which I shall always hold dear. You are without equal as an
inquisitor, and I doff my cap to you, sir! Ta, ta for now!
