Robin Hood's Tree, The Major Oak, Edwinstowe

Above: 19th century illustration of the Major Oak.

Robin Hood's Tree, the Major Oak, in sun and snow at Sherwood Forest. According to local folklore Robin Hood is said to have climbed inside to hide from the Sheriff of Nottingham.

For more details about the Major Oak and speculation about how it was formed, visit THIS LINK.

Blidworth Church and Will Scarlet

Above: A light hearted portrayal of Will Scarlet in his later years, from "Rogues of Sherwood Forest" (1950).

Blidworth Village has several connections to Robin Hood via both Will Scarlet and Maid Marion. The present Church of St. Mary of the Purification in Blidworth dates from 1739, but a wooden church stood on the crest of this hill since time immemorial. The Saxons replaced that wooden structure with stone, and it was probably that stone building which Will Scarlet, his friend Robin Hood, and Maid Marian would have known, and which later became the source of the Chapel of St Lawrence. In the rear graveyard one can still see the beautiful remnants of this stone building. According to legend Will Scarlet was buried in this graveyard up against the original church wall.

In the 15th century, during the reign of Richard 3rd, a tower was added and it became the church of St Mary of the Purification. When the building fell down in the early 18th century that tower was left intact, and the current building added on to it. A part of the tower was used as a marker for Will's grave. Probably not the actual spot, but a well intended and respectful tribute nevertheless. To see a video of Will Scarlet's Grave click THIS LINK.

Newstead Abbey and Friar Tuck

Newstead Abbey is famous the world over as the one time home of Lord Byron. But the most cursory glance at its famous facade tells us it was originally a priory. Founded in 1163, Newstead Abbey was home to the Augustan Canons, and allegedly Friar Tuck himself. The spring at Newstead is even said to have been cursed by the Canons when Friar Tuck's outlaw activities lead to his dismissal.
Sir John Byron purchased Newstead Abbey, soon after Henry 8th dissolved the monastery in 1593. John Byron demolished much of the priory to build a great mansion, but the iconic 13th century west front was left standing, and in fact the interior of the mansion itself incorporates certain features from the original building. Much later the infamous 5th Lord Byron, the romantic poet often referred to as the "wicked Byron", had the surrounding area landscaped but sadly neglected the building itself.
Newstead Abbey today is open to the general public, and highly recommended for its atmospheric unspoilt gothic atmosphere.

St Mary's Church, Nottingham

Robin Hood, in the earliest known printed collection of his adventures (c15th / 16th century), declared his enemies to be Bishops, Archbishops, and the Sheriff of Nottingham. (Not, you will note, the Sheriff of York). These were typical of the people who Robin perceived to be corrupt, and who perhaps benefited most from the Norman conquest of England, when many lands and properties were redistributed; probably before Robin's day but grievances can be carried for a long time. However, much as he obviously despised Bishops, Robin Hood was a very spiritual man and is said to have prayed daily to the Father, the Holy Ghost, and "Our dear Lady". Indeed, such was his devotion to the Virgin Mary that these same tales tell us he would not harass any group passing through Sherwood Forest that had a woman in its company.

The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin stands in the Lace Market area of Nottingham and was built in 1474. However, the Doomsday Book records a church standing on this site as long ago as 1086, though that was destroyed in the 12th century by Henry 2nd's soldiers. The present building dates from 1474, but it was the previous church (fragments of which can still be found on the Birkin Building situated in the Broadway), that Robin Hood is said to have attended mass at. On one occasion he was recognised by a "fat headed" monk he had once robbed. The monk wasted no time in contacting the Sheriff of Nottingham, and a sword fight ensued in the church nave. During the fight Robin's sword broke in two and he was forced to surrender and be taken into custody at Nottingham Castle. He was of course rescued by Little John, and learned not to enter the city again without being effectively disguised.

You can see where a disguised Robin Hood sold his wares at Weekday Cross Market on THIS LINK.

St Mary's Church Notttingham should not be confused with St Mary's Church Edwinstowe, where Robin Hood married Maid Marian.

Edwinstowe Church where Robin Hood was married.

Robin Hood and Maid Marian were married under the arch of the doorway to the Church of St. Mary, Edwinstowe, this being the normal place for such a ceremony at that time. The church is situated just a few hundred yards from the Major Oak, Robin Hood's Tree, and the tower and parts of the northern nave date from Robin's time. In 1334 the vicar of Edwinstowe was convicted of trespassing in Sherwood Forest and killing the King's deer!

Edwinstowe was named in honour of King Edwin of Northumbria, killed in the Battle of Hatfield (633 AD), and subsequently buried in a forest clearing here. St Mary's Church (not to be confused with the St Mary's Church in Nottingham), was later built on that site. Edwinstowe village is popular place for its links to the Robin Hood legend, and features an impressive statue of Robin proposing to Marian, as well as the Sherwood Visitor's Centre on the route to the Major Oak.

Above: Robin Hood marries Maid Marian. A plaque on Nottingham Castle Wall.

For more pictures of Robin Hood with Maid Marian click THIS LINK, THIS LINK and THIS LINK.