Tales of Robin Hood Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sherwood Forest

Sherwood Forest, the legendary hideout of Robin Hood, became a royal hunting forest after the Norman invasion of England in 1066. Laws protecting the game and timber were strictly enforced. By the time of Robin Hood (the first poem, "Piers Plowman" was written in the fourteenth century), Sherwood Forest is estimated to have taken up about 20% of what was called Nottinghamshire.

The Major Oak in the picture, believed to be at least 800 years old, would date back to the time of Robin Hood.

Answer: Merry Men

While early ballads only name three specific members of Robin Hood's Merry Men, they do state that approximately 140 outlaws joined the band. There are several stories that relate events leading to new members joining the group, which is said to have happened if a person was lucky enough to beat Robin in a duel! "Robin Hood and the Monk", a story that dates to about 1450, was the first to call the group "Merry Men".

Answer: Marian

Robin and Marian the couple seem to have originated as early as the 16th century with May Day celebrations in England. Marian was at first portrayed as a shepherdess and May Queen, while Robin became May King. She is not mentioned as Robin's first love interest; it was another shepherdess named Clorinda!

Answer: Little John

Little John was said to be seven feet tall - a giant of a man - and a faithful companion to Robin Hood. After being rescued by Little John, Robin offered him leadership of the group, which he respectfully declined. Later stories tell that Little John and Robin fought with quarterstaves when Little John tried to keep Robin from crossing a bridge; quite talented with a bow and quarterstaves, Little John claimed the victory - that time!

Answer: He was expelled from Fountains Abbey for lack of respect for authority.

Friar Tuck famously loved to eat and drink too much, but he was expelled from the Abbey due to his lack of respect for authority. In another story, one of Robin's men needed a priest so that he could marry his sweetheart. Some versions of the story picture Tuck as a physically fit swordsman, while others show him as overweight and good-natured.

Answer: Will Scarlet

One of the oldest known Robin Hood ballads, "Robin Hood's Death", introduces Will Scarlet as the nephew of Robin Hood, who has left his father's estate after killing the steward. Will is portrayed as being younger than the other outlaws, and the best sword fighter of the group.

Answer: Sheriff of Nottingham

Of course, it was the Sheriff's responsibility to capture outlaws, keep those traveling through the forest safe, and prevent the unlawful hunting of the wild game. In some stories it was also necessary for Robin to protect his Lady Marion from the Sheriff's advances.

Answer: Archery

The English Archery Law of the 13th century mandated that all men between the ages of 15 and 60 had to have a bow and arrows; it was expected that they would spend time on Sundays practicing! In addition, the law "forbade, on pain of death, all sport that took up time better spent on war training especially archery practise".

While others in the group were skillful fighters, Robin was hands down the best archer!

Answer: He robbed from the rich and gave to the poor!

In a "A Gest of Robyn Hode", one of the oldest surviving stories of Robin Hood, he lends a knight money, and in the end, does not require for it to be returned. He also says that if the next person traveling on the road is poor, he will give them some money: "Of my good he shall haue some, Yf he be a por man".

It concludes with a comment about Robin, "he was a good outlawe, And dyde pore men moch god".

Answer: Edward

There is a king named in the earliest known Robin Hood stories; "A Gest of Robyn Hode" names the king as "Edward", however, there is still discussion regarding exactly which Edward it was! While some say that the stories date back to Edward I, others claim to have found evidence of a real Robin Hood who lived during the time of Edward II. Still others feel that Edward III had to have been the king because the story describes him as "comely". "A Gest of Robyn Hode" says that the king eventually took Robin to live in his court, however, Robin missed the forest and returned there to live.