ROBIN HOOD

Historical context: The Royal Family

Look at the Royal family tree and the map. Write True (T) or False (F) next to each sentence.
1. Sherwood Forest is near Nottingham
2. Nottingham is a country
3. Eleonor is Prince Geoffrey’s wife.
4. King Richard and Prince John are brothers

Read the following text and answer.

Henry II became king in 1154. He was an extremely powerful monarch and his reign was peaceful, until
his children grew up. Henry had four legitimate sons (he also had daughters): Henry the Young Prince,
Richard, Geoffrey and John.
In 1170, Henry’s first son, Henry, was crowned associate king of England. Unfortunately, Henry the
Young King soon plotted against his father with the aid of his brothers and Henry II’s wife, Queen
Eleanor.
The Young King died in 1183, and soon after his brother Geoffrey also passed away. Still the plotting
against Henry II continued.
In 1188 and 1189, Richard joined King Philip II of France against Henry II who surrendered and died on
July 6, 1189.
Afterwards, Richard became the king of England. He was known as Richard the Lionheart because of his
reputation as a great military leader and warrior. Richard left to the Middle East to fight in the
Crusades, so John became the king in his place.
John's reign was a troubled one. He was cruel and disloyal. The barons rebelled against King John.
During his life, John often visited Nottinghamshire, and his favourite hunting lodge was Clipstone in
Sherwood. Finally, John died from dysentry at Newark in Nottinghamshire.

1. Why wasn’t Henry II´s reign peaceful when his children grew up?
2. Who became King of England when Henry II died?
3. Why was the new King nicknamed “the Lionheart”?
4. Why did John become King in his place?
5. Why did John often visit Sherwood Forest (Nottinghamshire)

Find out more about John’s reign:

1- Why was it a troubled reign? Why did the barons rebell against him?
2- Why is John described as cruel and disloyal?
3- Why is it relevant for the Robin Hood story to mention Nottingham and Sherwood Forest?