Robin Hood and Maid Marian

Welcome! 

Director Mel Brooks’ “Men in Tights” version of Robin Hood

First, my apologies for 

dropping off the edge of the earth.

I have been planning and teaching classes at the local Senior Center, and preparing some of my paper collage art to be displayed at our City Hall’s Art Show.

I am submitting 5 pieces for the Summer Art Show.

Yay!

Very exciting time for me, but also very busy and yes, stressful time too.

So my blog fell behind.

I did just finish and post a blog about the country of

Luxembourg

found in the western part of Europe.

Why Luxembourg?

Because I have blog readers there, and I knew very little about the country. 

(See other similar blogs I have written 

like Brunei and Portugal).

Star Trek Next Generation humor

But let’s get back to Robin Hood!

As I mentioned in a previous blog about 

Robin Hood -

while researching the Man and the Myth

I discovered so many wonderful book covers, book plates, posters, paintings, illustrations…

I really wanted to share a few more with you.

Ones like this:

Published 1965

I found this one interesting as Robin is painted with rather uncommon blonde hair.

I always try to give credit to whom it is due,

but sometimes I just hit dead ends.

Like this one -

Published most likely in the 1920’s

Love the dog in this one -

“Robin and Marion”

Thomas Frank Heaphy
1813 - 1873

There have been numerous movies, comic books and tv series about Robin Hood.

BBC tv series

Walt Disney’s “Story of Robin Hood”

Robin Hood Prince of Thieves

Some serious,

Some ‘historical’,

Some humorous…

And everything in between!

Mel Brooks’ “Men in Tights” movie

Along with tv, movies and books

there has always been merchandise to go along with the current story.

I have collected a few paper dolls of

Robin Hood and Maid Marion -

These are a few of the many outfits that Peck-Gandre’ has included in this wonderful 

Robin Hood and Maid Marian paper doll set.

I love how some are pre-colored 

and some you color yourself.

A vintage cigarette card, included with

Carreras Cigarettes, for collectors

Next I have a few Liddle Kiddle fairytale paperdolls -

If you print these out you may have to fiddle with the sizing, as they are not all from the same source.

I did find them all on Pinterest, however, with a few posted by WordPress.com

Here is a pattern to make your own Robin Hood type hat! Adjust the pattern to fit -

You can also easily make this from paper,

newspaper, light weight card stock…

🦊

A still from Walt Disney’s animated version of Robin Hood.

Here’s a simple pattern to make Robin Hood type shoes!

Posted on Pinterest; no info

From a series by Rafael Tuck, 1900. Artist: Trelleek

A statue of Robin Hood in Nottingham Castle,

Nottingham, England 

BBC tv series; Robin Hood

 Next I found a few comic books about 

Robin Hood.

I am not comic book ‘savvy’ and could find no further info about the above cover.

If any of my readers can interpret the cover for me, I am happy to give credits and dates!

Circa 1957

Circa 1970’s

I need to stop!

But there’s still a lot of movies and artists and book covers and paper dolls I haven’t posted yet.

Well, it’s looking a lot like there’s gonna’ be another blog about Robin Hood in the near future!

I hope you have enjoyed this blog as much as I have had fun researching it.

Drop me a note and tell me what you think…

‘Til next time,

Inkspired

Myinkspiredart@gmail.com

Pinterest: K.Kloberdans

Robin Hood - Saint or Sinner?

 

May 1934 American Boy Magazine cover

Artist: William Soare

“Underneath this little stone

Lies Robert, Earl of Huntington;

No other archer was so good -

And people called him Robin Hood.

Such outlaws as he and his men

Will England never see again.”

- ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’

By Roger Lancelyn Green

British biographer & children’s writer 

Robin and the Men of Sherwood

Artist: Greg Hildebrandt

Robyn Hode 

Robert Hood 

Robin of Sherwood

Robert Fitz

1897 Robinson Crusoe series book by the McLoughlin Bros.

Well, before we can learn about this ‘Robin Hood’

shouldn’t we at least know what was his actual name?

Through the centuries 

(Yes, centuries!)

he has been called many names -

Robertus Hod 

Robin of Loxley

Robert Huntingdon 

Robyn Hude

1939 edition by E. Charles Vivian

Artist Harry G. Theaker

Robin de Courtenay

Sir Robert Hode

Robert Hod

Robehod

1952 movie ad for Walt Disney’s 

‘The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men’

Was there a specific person from history that the Robin Hood adventures are based on?

No one really knows. What we do know is that the stories about Robin and Marion have endured for ages. So perhaps there was one man that started it all, but like a snowball rolling downhill, it has gathered a lot of extra weight and fluff!

Poster for 1922 silent movie “Robin Hood”

We can’t go much further without a little 

Roman Catholic Church history. 

In the 12th, 13th century the Catholic Church was 

The Authority - on everything. What you ate, wore, who you could marry, and where you lived was all dictated by the Church.

Most peasants were too busy trying to survive than indulge in luxuries such as reading, hygiene or hobbies.

Church authorities recognized that all work and no play made Common Man a very dull and restless subject.

And so we have Festival & Feast Days.

These were a spill-over from ancient times when different religious groups (think Celts) had special days to celebrate changes in seasons and other vital events (think fertility to produce next generations).

There was little to no reliable written languages for the Common People, and they had no time to learn it anyway, so The Church stepped in.

They ordained special days (many coinciding with pagan rituals) to provide a break from drudgery and routine.

It also put the focus back on religion rather than tribal customs, and became an important way to teach the people religious teachings.

For instance, it was this time period that the Nativity Plays became popular in teaching about Christ’s birth.

So where is Robin Hood?

Artist: N.C. Wyeth

As far back as 1261 there are hints, suggestions & notes in manuscripts about a Robin Hood type character.

Many with Maid Marion!

In 1280 there were French ballads and plays about ‘Robin & Marion’ that were featured in May festivals.

Artist: Lucy Fitch Perkins, 1923

Or was it Lady Marian?

Oh, let’s not go there!

By the 15th century the ballads had moved from

 ‘for nobility only eyes’ & street recitals

to scripted plays with set tunes.

The earliest preserved script is from 1450!

Author/Illustrator Louis Rhead, 1912 woodcut

William Shakespeare mentions Robin in a few of his plays. (1564 - 1616)

In 1795 Joseph Ritson wrote about Robin Hood and his Merry Men.

In 1818 Ritson’s friend Sir Walter Scott used his anthology of Robin Hood in his famous novel “Ivanhoe”.

‘The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, of Great Renown in Nottinghamshire’

Written and illustrated by Howard Pyle, 1883

The stories and adventures of Robin Hood, Marian and the Merry Men have been around a long time; changing, evolving and reshaped as current events did the same.

In the earliest Robin Hood documents Robin is violent and murders those who have betrayed him. There are even hints at a possible romantic link-up with the Sheriff’s wife! 

Movie poster for ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’

1938

Times were cruel and unjust to most.

People had a lot of repressed anger.

Robin’s stories and ballads reflected this.

In 14th century England the common people were becoming more and more unhappy with the feudal system and a life of servitude.

Robin Hood appears as an anti-establishment hero. He uses his wits and charisma to make fools of those corrupt authorities.

Movie poster for ‘Walt Disney’s Robin Hood’, 1973

Artist: Dave Perillo

“We never rob.

We just sort of borrow a bit from those who can afford it.”

-Robin Hood, Disney animated movie

Later, Robin Hood becomes a dispossessed aristocrat with a heart of gold and true love for Maid Marian.

‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’

1938

So…

which is it?

Saint or Sinner?

Artist: Walter Crane (1845 - 1915)

I guess we each have to decide that on our own!

I think he was both,

adapting to the desires and needs of the people around him. His stories are constantly changing with what they emphasize just as life is always changing.

Outlaw?

Yes. He broke the current laws of the times.

Hero?

Yes. He came to the help of people in dire need.

Can we have both?

Artist: Frank Godwin

1932

In researching for this blog I found so many wonderful paintings, woodcuts, illustrations and more all with a Robin Hood theme.

I’m sure I will be sharing more of these in the very near future!

That’s all for now!

‘Til next time,

inkspired

Here are some of the sites I researched while making this blog.

In no particular order:

azquotes.com

goodreads.com

moviemistakes.com

en.Wikipedia.org

History.com

Pinterest

rarebooks.ie

wikimedia

Encyclopedia Britannica 

Possibly from “Life and Adventures of Robin Hood”

Written by John B. Marsh; 1880

Artist: unknown