The story in one page
Living in the shade of Sherwood Forest, a band of yeomen led by a legendary archer roams the greenwood. They evade the sour-tempered Sheriff of Nottingham through a series of disguises, archery contests, and forest rescues. While the law calls them criminals, they spend their days feasting, singing, and distributing wealth to the needy. The band gains its strength through merit, including the recruitment of Little John, who bests his future master in a test of skill. Eventually, the cycle of forest escapades, royal encounters, and rivalries concludes at Kirklees Nunnery, where the archer finds his final rest after a long career of mischief.
Who's who
- Robin Hood
An archer of legendary skill who leads a merry band.
- Little John
A giant archer and the right-hand man to his leader.
- Sheriff of Nottingham
A grim official who frequently fails to capture his target.
- Friar Tuck
A stout, sleeping, and jovial member of the brotherhood.
What it's really about
- Social redistribution
- Taking from the rich to help the needy.
- Meritocracy
- Status is earned through archery and fair play.
Why it's memorable
- Little John posing as a simple archer named Reynold Greenleaf.
- An arrow shot from a sickbed marking a final resting place.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
Robin Hood dies at Kirklees Nunnery after Little John facilitates his final request, and his band eventually scatters to live in quiet peace.
For your book club
- The forest is a place where social hierarchy effectively vanishes.
- Disguise is the primary tool for surviving in Nottinghamshire.