River Leen, Papplewick. Robin Hood meets Little John.

 

 It was said to be across the River Leen that Robin Hood met Little John. A once significant feature in the landscape, River Leen ran down the valley into Nottingham on a route more or less where the A60 is today. However, from at least the early 13th century, and in order to provide power for various Mills, it was dammed, diverted, and divided so much that today it has almost disappeared from the map on it’s way down from Kirkby, through Ravenshead, Papplewick, and on into the City of Nottingham itself. This video was shot as the river passes between Papplewick and Linby, where it was used to power various cotton mills. I chose this area because it has several connections with the Outlaws of Sherwood Forest.

Above: "The Legend of Robin Hood", TV series 1975. "The Adventures of Robin Hood", 1938. "The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men", 1952. "Robin Hood Prince of Thieves", 1991. "Robin of Sherwood", 1984 / 86. "Wolfshead", 1969.

Robin Hood meets Alan A Dale. St James Church, Papplewick.

 

The Church of St James, Papplewick, was rebuilt in 1795. But according to some versions of the legend, it was in the churchyard which stood here centuries earlier, that Robin Hood is believed to have first met a distressed Alan A Dale. Robin would go on to help Alan regain his sweetheart Ellen from an arranged marriage to an old nobleman not of her choosing. (I should point out that other versions of the story cite the church as Campsall, and that Alan A Dale's intended wife was Alice de Beauforest.)

Papplewick was the headquarters of the Royal Foresters who tended to the upkeep of the King's forests, and St. James' Church was their burial place. Several medieval grave slabs, showing bows, arrows and hunting horns, can still be seen here today. These foresters cut their bows from the surrounding yew trees and, according to legend, Robin Hood did the same

Below: Alan A Dale in "The Bandit of Sherwood Forest" 1946, and "The Story of Robin Hood and His Merry Men", 1952.

Below: Alan A Dale with Robin Hood in "Prince of Thieves" (1948).