“Robin Hood and the Beggar (I)”

Description

Robin meets a beggar who asks charity. They fight. The beggar wins. Robin gives him his horse and clothes, goes on to Nottingham in the beggar's attire. There he finds three of his band are to be hanged. He blows his horn to summon his men who rescue them

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

  1. Child 133, "Robin Hood and the Beggar I" (1 text)
  2. Bronson 133, comments only
  3. Leach, pp. 385-388, "Robin Hood and the Beggar, I" (1 text)
  4. Roud #3391
  5. BI, C133

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1663