The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

Howard Pyle

92 pages 3-hour read

Howard Pyle

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1883

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Robin is a spirited yeoman living in England during the 1100s. Known for his exceptional skill with a bow and arrow, he assumes leadership of a band of societal outcasts hiding in Sherwood Forest after a youthful altercation leaves him on the wrong side of the law. He operates under a personal moral code that involves stealing from wealthy, corrupt figures and redistributing the funds to the poor. Despite his outlaw status, he maintains a good-humored demeanor and often seeks to befriend his adversaries after a physical challenge.

Key Relationships

Closest friend of Little John

Leader of Will Stutely

Relative of Will Scarlet

Friend of Allan a Dale

Companion of Friar Tuck

Favored subject of Queen Eleanor

Cousin of Prioress of Kirklees

Standing seven feet tall, Little John is a broad-shouldered and physically imposing man who becomes Robin Hood's most trusted companion. Despite his immense strength and fighting skills, he possesses an endearing laziness and deeply enjoys the comforts of good food and drink. He acts as Robin's second-in-command, participating in many of the group's adventures while occasionally getting sidetracked by his appetite.

Key Relationships

Right-hand man of Robin Hood

Close friend of Will Stutely

Temporary servant of Sheriff of Nottingham

Friend of Arthur a Bland

Companion of Friar Tuck

Companion of Midge the Miller

The Sheriff serves as the primary law enforcement official in Nottingham, making him Robin Hood's most persistent local enemy. Driven by a desire for reward money and personal vengeance, he hatches numerous schemes to capture the outlaws in Sherwood Forest. He frequently collaborates with wealthy clergymen and uses deceit to achieve his goals, though his plots consistently fail against Robin's wiles.

Key Relationships

Pursuer of Robin Hood

Ally of Bishop of Hereford

Collaborator with Prior of Emmet

Employer of Guy of Gisbourne

Former employer of Little John

Employer of Wat o' the Crabstaff

King Richard is the famous monarch of England, holding authority over the land and its subjects. He possesses a fun-loving, humble personality that sharply contrasts with the touchy vindictiveness of other authority figures. While he represents ultimate justice and the rule of law, he also appreciates a good jest and approaches his subjects with a mixture of sternness and mercy.

Key Relationships

Ruler of Robin Hood

Successor to King Henry II

Predecessor to King John

Ruler of Sir Richard of the Lea

Relative of Queen Eleanor

Supporting Characters

Will Stutely is a sly and sharp-eared member of Robin's band, characterized by his sun-browned face. He serves as a spy for the Merry Men, venturing into potentially dangerous situations to gather intelligence on the Sheriff's plans. His dedication to the group earns him deep loyalty from his peers, who willingly risk their own safety to protect him.

Key Relationships

Follower of Robin Hood

Friend of Little John

Originally known as Will Gamwell, this young man is a relative of Robin Hood who flees into the forest after a fatal altercation at his father's estate. Though he appears dainty and effeminate to onlookers, he is remarkably strong and capable of defending himself against seasoned fighters. He adopts the name Will Scarlet based on the bright color of his clothing when he joins the outlaws.

Key Relationships

Relative of Robin Hood

Companion of Allan a Dale

Allan is a young, sensitive, and romantic minstrel who brings music and poetry to the rough-and-tumble environment of Sherwood Forest. He faces severe heartache because the father of his sweetheart wishes to marry her off to a wealthy older knight. His beautiful singing voice deeply moves the Merry Men, earning him a permanent place in their community.

Key Relationships

Suitor of Ellen o' the Dale

Friend of Robin Hood

Rival of Sir Stephen of Trent

A stout, jolly, and thoroughly unconventional curtal friar, Tuck lives near Fountain Abbey and keeps a pack of fierce dogs. He entirely subverts the traditional expectations of clerical piety, preferring hearty meals, physical brawling, and loud singing over silent prayer. He joins the Merry Men to oversee their holy matters while providing frequent comic scolding.

Key Relationships

Chaplain for Robin Hood

Acquaintance of Will Scarlet

The Queen of England acts as a kind and just ruler who takes a special interest in Robin Hood's legendary archery skills. She operates with a degree of independence from her husband, making secret wagers and using her influence to protect those she favors. She commands deep respect from the common people through her fair treatment of them.

Key Relationships

Wife of King Henry II

Protector of Robin Hood

Employer of Richard Partington

The Bishop of Hereford is an exceedingly wealthy and pompous churchman who prioritizes luxury over religious charity. He travels with a heavily laden retinue of packhorses and refuses to help those in financial distress. His lack of generosity makes him a frequent target for Robin's redistributive justice.

Key Relationships

Adversary of Robin Hood

Refuses aid to Sir Richard of the Lea

A wealthy and scheming clergyman who actively works to acquire land from indebted knights. He conspires with local authorities to expand his priory's holdings, showing absolutely no leniency to those who owe him money.

Key Relationships

Creditor of Sir Richard of the Lea

Collaborator with Sheriff of Nottingham

Sir Richard is a proud and noble knight who falls into heavy debt after paying a steep fine to keep his son out of prison. He faces the loss of his ancestral lands to greedy clergymen until he crosses paths with the Merry Men. He strictly follows the rules of chivalry and courtesy, maintaining his dignity even when impoverished.

Key Relationships

Friend of Robin Hood

Debtor to Prior of Emmet

Protector of David of Doncaster

A fierce, heavily armed, and widely hated outlaw who accepts a contract to hunt down Robin Hood. He operates as a violent hitman, contrasting sharply with Robin's relatively peaceful methods of highway robbery.

Key Relationships

Tracker of Robin Hood

The reigning monarch during the early years of Robin's outlawry. He displays a fiery temper, especially regarding the outlaws who poach his deer in Sherwood Forest. He readily deploys his guards to capture rulebreakers and demands absolute obedience from his subjects.

Key Relationships

Husband of Queen Eleanor

Ruler of Robin Hood

The successor to King Richard, who rules England with a much harsher hand. He lacks his predecessor's humor and views outlaws purely as a threat to be eliminated, dispatching armed men to enforce his will.

Key Relationships

Ellen is a young woman whose father attempts to force her into a financially advantageous marriage to an older knight. She deeply loves a poor minstrel and relies on the intervention of the Merry Men to secure her preferred future.

Key Relationships

Sweetheart of Allan a Dale

Unwilling bride of Sir Stephen of Trent

A wealthy older knight who attempts to marry a younger woman against her wishes. He displays a haughty, socially condescending attitude toward the commoners around him, viewing his prospective bride as a prize he elevates from poverty.

Key Relationships

Suitor of Ellen o' the Dale

Rival of Allan a Dale

A tanner from Blyth who possesses exceptional skill with a staff. He holds his own against famous fighters and readily joins the outlaws once he realizes their identities.

Key Relationships

Friend of Little John

Follower of Robin Hood

A young, honest-looking miller who proves surprisingly resourceful when attacked. He uses the tools of his trade to blind and defeat his attackers before accepting an invitation to join them.

Key Relationships

Follower of Robin Hood

A dependable member of the Merry Men who actively gathers information in local towns. He is a skilled wrestler who occasionally finds himself in danger from angry crowds during local fairs.

Key Relationships

Follower of Robin Hood

Protected by Sir Richard of the Lea

A robust tinker who accepts the Sheriff's commission to capture the famous outlaw. He enjoys heavy drinking at local taverns, a habit that makes him susceptible to trickery.

Key Relationships

Friend of Robin Hood

She serves as the head of a religious house in Yorkshire, a position she secured through family influence. As a skilled nurse, she provides medical care, though she remains highly conscious of the political dangers associated with treating outlaws.

Key Relationships

Cousin of Robin Hood

A royal page who carries messages for Queen Eleanor. He proves resourceful in tracking down Robin Hood to deliver both invitations and crucial warnings about the king's men.

Key Relationships

Employee of Queen Eleanor