![]() ![]() The first clear reference to "rhymes of Robin Hood" is from the alliterative poem Piers Plowman, thought to have been composed in the 1370s, followed shortly afterwards by a quotation of a later common proverb, "many men speak of Robin Hood and never shot his bow", in Friar Daw's Reply ( c. At least eight plausible origins to the story have been mooted by historians and folklorists, including suggestions that "Robin Hood" was a stock alias used by or in reference to bandits. There are numerous references to historical figures with similar names that have been proposed as possible evidence of his existence, some dating back to the late 13th century. The origins of the legend as well as the historical context have been debated for centuries. In popular culture, the term "Robin Hood" is often used to describe a heroic outlaw or rebel against tyranny. ![]() Robin Hood is considered one of the best-known tales of English folklore. There have been numerous variations and adaptations of the story over the subsequent years, and the story continues to be widely represented in literature, film, and television. The earliest known ballads featuring him are from the 15th century. He became a popular folk figure in the Late Middle Ages. His partisanship of the common people and his hostility to the Sheriff of Nottingham are early recorded features of the legend, but his interest in the rightfulness of the king is not, and neither is his setting in the reign of Richard I. The Sheriff is often depicted as assisting Prince John in usurping the rightful but absent King Richard, to whom Robin Hood remains loyal. These include his lover, Maid Marian his band of outlaws, the Merry Men and his chief opponent, the Sheriff of Nottingham. Through retellings, additions, and variations, a body of familiar characters associated with Robin Hood has been created. ![]() Traditionally depicted dressed in Lincoln green, he is said to have robbed from the rich and given to the poor. In the oldest known versions, he is instead a member of the yeoman class. In some versions of the legend, he is depicted as being of noble birth, and in modern retellings he is sometimes depicted as having fought in the Crusades before returning to England to find his lands taken by the Sheriff. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. However, if you're looking for a book to help you run historical or no-to-low-magic 5E games, this one is solid.Robin Hood is a legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently featured in literature and film. I would have preferred a short adventure that captures the spirit of Robin Hood instead. My only complaint is that the small medieval bestiary at the end of the book which feels tacked on (werewolves and dragons?). While GMs running cinematic games will probably just hand-wave rules for these types of maneuvers, it's nice to see thoughtful worked examples. All classes get bonuses to AC when they aren't wearing armor, characters receive "swashbuckling points" to pull off feats of derring-do, and there's a full list of maneuvers with accompanying rules, like running along beams and walls, lassoing opponents, and switching horses at full gallop. The history of 13th century England is helpful to read, though is only a few pages, so GMs wanting to fully replicate Robin Hood's world will need to do some additional research.įinally, the book offers optional rules to capture the swashbuckling aspect of Robin Hood fiction. All of the major players are statted out, and there's over a dozen more obscure characters described, like the Sheriff's personal guard, Richard de Villy, and his corrupt abbot, Geoffrey Petherton. Of course, the book is chock full of information on Robin Hood and his merry men. is great for folklore-inspired games, too. The inclusion of options to add more "realistic" magic classes - druidic, conjuration, etc. Not only can any dark ages campaign use these, but without much work they can also extend from Imperial Rome and into the Renaissance. You also get yeomen, which can be used for skilled craftsmen or burly outdoor workers. You get 6 robust new classes that are wholly standalone and capture all of the archetypes a medieval campaign might need - nobles, men-at-arms, priests, engineers, and outlaws. This supplement is fantastic resource for GMs looking to run non-magical 5E campaigns. ![]()
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