Ballads of Robin Hood and other Outlaws / Popular Ballads of the Olden Times - Fourth Series

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

28744

Title

Ballads of Robin Hood and other Outlaws / Popular Ballads of the Olden Times - Fourth Series

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Frank Sidgwick's fourth volume in his acclaimed series collects traditional English and Scottish ballads, focusing on the legendary outlaw Robin Hood. This selection offers a rich tapestry of folk narratives featuring archery contests, encounters with monks and sheriffs, and tales of maritime adventure, preserving the spirit of the greenwood and the sea.

Summary up to 500 words

Frank Sidgwick's *Ballads of Robin Hood and other Outlaws*, the fourth volume in his acclaimed series *Popular Ballads of the Olden Times*, concludes a project dedicated to curating the finest traditional ballads of England and Scotland. Published in 1912, this volume distinguishes itself from earlier collections, such as those by Professor Child, by rigorously excluding fragmentary, degenerate, or spurious versions found in broadside prints. Sidgwick's editorial philosophy prioritizes authentic lore over mere literary inclusion, resulting in a selection of 143 ballads that represent the genuine spirit of the folk tradition. The volume opens with a significant introduction that clarifies the complex identity of the legendary outlaw. Sidgwick dismantles the myth of a single historical figure, distinguishing between the popular ballad hero, the quasi-historical nobleman (the Earl of Huntingdon), actual historical figures named Robert Hood, and mythical interpretations. He asserts that the true Robin Hood is a creation of the English imagination, embodying the ideal champion of the popular cause against feudal oppression, rather than a specific historical personage. The narrative core of the book features the *Gest of Robyn Hode*, a comprehensive tale of the outlaw's exploits in Sherwood Forest, divided into eight fyttes. This is followed by a collection of shorter, lively ballads that showcase the wit and violence of the greenwood life. Notable selections include *Robin Hood and the Monk*, where Little John rescues his master from a corrupt monk and sheriff, and *Robin and Gandeleyn*, a story of archery rivalry. The volume also expands beyond the forest to the high seas, presenting maritime ballads such as *John Dory*, a seventeenth-century sea song about a Cornish sailor avenging his countrymen against a French king, and *Captain Ward and the Rainbow*, a tale of piracy and naval conflict. Sidgwick's editorial notes provide essential historical context, tracing the evolution of these stories from Middle English origins to their printed forms. By maintaining the authentic voice of the original texts while clarifying their development, the volume offers readers a definitive collection of the outlaw legends that defined a generation of English folklore.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Adventure
• Classics
• Poetry