The Robin Hood Festival is an annual event, celebrating the famous outlaw by re-enacting stories from the ancient tales in Sherwood Forest itself. These photographs are from 2014. I am sure readers can guess the identities from the costumes involved.
Where did Robin Hood spend the winter? Well, probably not in the heart of Sherwood Forest! Not only would it be rather cold and short on food, but the route known as the King’s Great Way would also have been relatively low on rich travellers during those months when snow, sludge and ice made the passage more arduous.
Robin Hood’s so called “Merry Men” were effectively a medieval gang, and popular gangs operate by providing in some small measure for the needs of the community which harbours them, albeit often illegally. Therefore, by stealing from the rich and giving some handouts to the poor, they could have gained warm shelter in the winter, in the local villages of Blidworth, Papplewick, and Byrunsdale / Bernysdale (now known as Old Basford).
The video shows Sherwood Forest covered in a blanket of snow, January 2013, featuring Robin Hood's tree the Major Oak. Many thanks to the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre ground staff of the time, for allowing me access to the statues when the centre was closed
Robin Hood's Tree, the Major Oak, in sun and snow, Sherwood Forest. According to local folklore Robin Hood is said to have climbed inside to hide from the Sheriff of Nottingham. Considering the dates, it's an unlikely story, but a beautiful one
Above: "The Adventures of Robin Hood" 1938. "The Bandit of Sherwood Forest", 1946. "Robin of Sherwood" TV series, 1980s. Below: "A Challenge for Robin Hood", 1967.
