The Many Faces of Robin Hood Trivia Quiz

Answer: Piers Plowman

"Piers Plowman", also known as "Visio Willelmi de Petro Ploughman", was written by William Langland possibly between 1370 and 1386. In it, the narrator ("William") dreams of a quest for the true Christian life, including Piers Plowman, "a people's Christ". It is in this poem that the legend of Robin Hood is first referenced.

After this first mention, several other mentions of Robin Hood begin to appear, including one from the late 14th century in which he is featured in the proverb "many men speak of Robin Hood and never shot his bow". The first actual record of Robin Hood's legend, however, comes from the late 15th or early 16th century. Although Friar Tuck and Maid Marion are not yet mentioned in these stories, many other familiar faces in Robin Hood's legends, such as the Sheriff of Nottingham and Little John, play prominent roles. The earliest of these written legends that still survives is the story "Robin Hood and the Monk", written sometime after 1450.

Answer: He robs from the rich to give to the poor

John Stow's "Annales of England" was the first explicit mention of this trait of Robin Hood's. Previous records had made mention of Robin Hood's giving to others on occasion, such as in "A Gest of Robyn Hode", which sums it up well:
"he was a good outlawe,
And dyde pore men moch god".
None of the original ballads of Robin Hood mention him doing so, however.

Answer: May Day

Robin Hood became associated with May Day festivities by at least the late 1400s, if not before. May Day, which traces its roots back to pre-Christian celebrations, often involved dancing and other activities. By at least the 1490s, local men would dress as Robin Hood, and sometimes members of his Merry Men, and lead the revels. Robin Hood plays were also begun about this time, and were linked to the festivities.

Robin Hood at May Day gradually disappeared from English culture, but it was still popular in the late 1500s.

Answer: A Midsummer Night's Dream

In "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" and "As You Like It", Robin Hood gets a passing mention, showing that his was a household name. An unnamed Robin Hood ballad is sung in "Henry IV, part II". No mention of him is made in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", but Maid Marion gets a passing, if derogatory, mention in "Henry IV, part I".

Shakespeare wasn't the only playwright of his time to mention Robin Hood in his plays. Among others, Ben Johnson turned his pen to writing about Robin Hood; he wrote "The Sad Shepherd, or a Tale of Robin Hood", which was unfinished at the time of his death in 1637.

Answer: 1883

"The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood" was written primarily for children; the character of Robin Hood had become more of a children's figure by that time. The book firmly cemented many ideas about Robin Hood, such as his mission to aid of the poor. Pyle combined all popular fables about Robin Hood, such as his beginnings as an outlaw and his staff fight with Little John, into a single children's book.

"The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood" has had much influence on later reincarnations of Robin Hood in popular culture, and the character that we know and recognize today.

Answer: Douglas Fairbanks

"Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood" was the official name of the only full-length silent Robin Hood Film, released in 1922. It was also the first Hollywood film to have an official premiere!

The film's plot depicts Fairbanks as the Earl of Huntingdon, who assumes the name of Robin Hood following his return from the Crusades. Although he is captured by the end of the film, King Richard I's appearance aids in his release and his winning the hand of Lady Marion Fitzwater (Maid Marion).

Answer: Errol Flynn

"The Adventures of Robin Hood" starred Errol Flynn, the classic Hollywood swashbuckling actor. Also starring were Olivia De Havilland as Maid Marion and Basil Rathbone as Guy of Gisborne, as well as Claude Rains as Prince John.

The film followed the relatively recent suggestions that Robin Hood had been politically involved, first as a knight serving under King Richard I and then as an outlaw who sought to help the King back onto the throne that was being usurped by Prince John.

Answer: Fox

Disney had already made a live-action film about Robin Hood in 1952 called "The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men", starring Richard Todd. They had been considering making a film about the classic trickster Renard the Fox, but soon turned the story into a retelling of Robin Hood.

Narrated by Roger Miller as Alan-a-Dale (a rooster), the film goes through the classic story line featuring Robin Hood's attempt to secure the English throne for King Richard I. Brian Bedford played the voice of Robin Hood, while Peter Ustinov was Prince John.

Answer: Robin Hood: Men in Tights

"Robin Hood: Men in Tights" was a Mel Brooks film. Its tagline was "The Legend Had it Coming..." Parodying both the 1938 Errol Flynn film and the 1991 Kevin Kostner film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves", it also featured Patrick Stewart parodying the 1976 film "Robin and Marian" starring Sean Connery.

Although "Princess of Thieves" was also made, starring Keira Knightley, "Those Merry, Merry Men" is just a figment of my imagination.

Answer: A Touch of Frost

Yes, all of these shows but "A Touch of Frost" featured Robin Hood in one way or another. Other television shows to feature or reference Robin Hood include "Charmed", "The Muppet Show", "The Time Tunnel", and "Doctor Who".

Robin Hood has had so many different faces over the years; sadly, I could only include 10 of them. Maybe another 10 will see their own quiz some day!