Robin Hood statue, Nottingham Castle Green.

To the left of Nottingham Castle Gatehouse is the Castle Green, host to the most famous Robin Hood statue in the world. Sculpted by James Woodford, it was presented along with a series of wall plaques to the city by Philip E Clay to commemorate Queen Elizabeth's visit to Nottingham in 1949, the city's Quincentennial year. The plaques depict famous scenes from the Legend of Robin Hood: Robin fighting Little John over the River Leen, Robin and Marian fighting off Guy of Gisborne, King Richard at Robin and Marian's wedding, and Robin firing his final arrow from his death bed at Kirklees Abbey Gatehouse.

Two other sculptures, dated 1951, are also by James Woodford and portray several of Robin Hood's better known outlaws: Will Stuteley (also known as Will the Bowman), Little John, Friar Tuck, Alan A Dale, and Will Scarlet. Will Stuteley's presence is linked to the story that he was rescued from the Sheriff of Nottingham's gallows on this very spot by Robin Hood.

For other Robin Hood staues see THIS LINK, THIS LINK, and THIS LINK.

The Curse of Nottingham Castle

A terrible curse hangs over Nottingham Castle. One day, whilst King John was out hunting from his favoured place of residence at Clipstone, now known as King John's Palace (see THIS LINK), he received news from his sister Joan (wife of Llewellyn, Prince of Wales), of a Welsh uprising. Interrupting King John when he was engaged in such leisurely pursuits was never going to be a good idea.

He summoned those barons and distinguished persons based either in the Palace, or residing locally, to assemble under the Parliament Oak. Once there, and in a state of some considerable rage, he demanded they consent to the immediate execution of 28 welsh hostages already being held in Nottingham Castle. All were the young sons of welsh noblemen, some merely children. The King then rode directly to Nottingham and ordered the Castle Governor to have the hostages bound and tied, before hanging each of them one by one, kicking and screaming in a row from the Castle walls. After which, King John rode back to Clipstone in time for supper.

It is said that, if one walks by the Castle Gatehouse, on a winter night when the wind is calm, you can still hear the pitiful cries of the welsh boys, and their heels kicking against the old stone walls.

(Note: Internet sources dispute how many boys were hung, ranging from two in number to twenty eight).
For more information and video of Nottingham Castle see THIS LINK.