Separating the myth from the reality

There can be no doubt

about Sherlock Holmes or
Indiana Jones. They are
definitely invented
characters. But Robin
Hood: fact or fiction? That
question has many answers.

It depends a bit on what

you mean by a "real person".
If we mean: "Was there a
man called Robin Hood, who
did all the things we can read about?", then the answer is no. But if we mean:
"Was there a man who lived in the Middle Ages, and is remembered in the
legends of Robin Hood", then the answer is yes.The legend of Robin Hood is a
very old one; and it is certainly based on reality.

According to one story, Robin was really an Anglo-Saxon nobleman, perhaps

called Robin of Huntingdon, or Robin Fitz-Ooth, and he was a rebel against
England's Norman rulers.
After William the Conqueror conquered England in 1066, England was ruled
by Norman kings and Norman barons. Most of the ordinary Anglo Saxon people
accepted their new masters; but some didn't. They became outlaws, enemies
of the Norman barons and the people who worked for them.

In modern language, we could perhaps call this Robin a "resistance fighter" -

though some people might call him a "terrorist". The legend tells us that he took
money from the rich, and gave it to the poor. In fact, he probably took money from
the Normans (who were relatively rich), and gave it to poor Anglo Saxons. This
is why he soon became a legendary hero among Anglo Saxons.

Other stories claim that Robin was not an Anglo Saxon nobleman, but a
common fugitive; they say that his real name was "Robert Hod", and that he only
fought against his personal enemies, in particular the Sheriff of Nottingham, not
against the Normans.

Many old stories said that Robin lived in Yorkshire. However, later stories had
him living in Sherwood Forest, near Nottingham; and today, Robin's name is
definitely attached to the city of Nottingham, and to Sherwood Forest.
Finally, what about the "merry men" that we meet in today's stories and
films? Friar Tuck, Little John and the others? And what about the beautiful
"Maid Marion"?

It appears that these secondary characters have no historic base.

Nevertheless, at least one real person was the inspiration for the stories of
Robin Hood; and that person must have had friends. Perhaps there was a big
man called John, and a fat friar too. Perhaps there was even a beautiful young
lady called Marion. Let's imagine these people really existed - because in truth,
they probably did, somewhere, at some time.

In Nottingham, Robin is now a very popular character. Visitors to the city can
learn all about him at the "Tales of Robin Hood" exhibition, where Robin and his
adventures are brought to life; and in Sherwood Forest, "the Major Oak", a
massive old tree, is said to be Robin Hood's tree.
Maybe Robin never lived at all in the past; but too bad! His spirit is certainly
alive today.

PART 1:
1. Was Robin Hood a real character or not?
a. Maybe, after the Germans conquered England.
b. No, he is an invented Norman character.
c. Yes, before Normans conquered England.
d. Maybe, after Normans conquered England.

2. Robin Hood is a popular character because:

a. He fought against the Norman invasion.
b. He might have stolen money from the invaders to give it to the Anglo-Saxons.
c. He might have stolen money from the invaders to give it to the Normans.
d. He fought against the English rebels.

3. According to the text, what is the meaning of the sentence ‘they became outlaws’
(paragraph 3):
a. They became people who were called terrorists.
b. They became people who were known as warriors.
c. They became people who acted against the rules breaking the law.
d. They became people who followed the rules and acted in favor of the regime.

4. According to the real story from these days, historians think that Robin Hood lived in:
a. He lived in Yorkshire.
b. He lived in Nottingham.
c. He lived in Sherwood Forest.
d. B and C are correct.
 5. By reading the text, what can be said about the rest of secondary characters from the
stories?
a. Sure, they all existed and lived with Robin Hood.
b. Maybe they existed, and the characters are inspired after real people.
c. Sure, they existed, but they were not related to Robin Hood.
d. Maybe they existed, but the characters aren´t inspired after real people.

EXTRA QUESTIONS. Write your answers according to your own opinion.

1. Do you think that legends should stay the way they are, or should they be discarded
because they might not be true?
2. Why do you think people believe in legends?

PART 2: WRITING (B1: 100-120 words) (B2: 140-190 words):

You see an announcement in your college English-language magazine:
Fantasy films/TV shows reviews wanted
Have you watched a film/TV show in which the main character is based on an historical
or fiction character?
Write us a review of the film/TV show, explaining what the main character does and why
it is famous. Tell us whether or not you would recommend this to other people.
The best reviews will be published in the magazine.