Anything of Robin's in Loxley? -

Carmine · 08-06-2005, 10:24

I read a book about two years ago on the subject of Robin Hood and found that there was little actual mention of Loxley despite the persisting use of the name "Robin of Loxley".

Anyone know of any local sites or legends that would explain the linking of this most quintissential of English folk figures to the picturesque valley in question?

DaBouncer · 08-06-2005, 10:26

I don't think Mr Hood came from Loxley in Sheffield.
I could be worng but I don't think so.

Carmine · 08-06-2005, 10:37

Quote:

Originally posted by DaBouncer
I don't think Mr Hood came from Loxley in Sheffield.
I could be worng but I don't think so.

The Loxley nearby is the only one I've ever come across, and that coupled with the fact that Little John was from also nearby Hathersage tips me towards thinking this was the Loxley in question.

And not "Locksley" as Prince of Thieves had it!

DaBouncer · 08-06-2005, 10:41

Well it may have been spelt "Locksley" in the past... as Sheffield used to be Sheaf Field.

I've seen more than one place called Loxley in the British Isles myself. However if you find something conclusive out I would be interested to read/see/hear about it.

Carmine · 08-06-2005, 10:47

Quote:

Originally posted by DaBouncer
Well it may have been spelt "Locksley" in the past... as Sheffield used to be Sheaf Field.

I've seen more than one place called Loxley in the British Isles myself. However if you find something conclusive out I would be interested to read/see/hear about it.

I think I may have to go and wade off into the information ocean and see what I can find...wish me luck, I will return!

Twiglet · 08-06-2005, 10:52

There is a Loxley in Warwickshire?

Carmine · 08-06-2005, 10:54

I just found this little piece of information:

Robin Hood's connection with Loxley is stated by the antiquarian Roger Dodsworth who wrote, “Robin Locksley, born in the Bradfield Parish of Hallamshire (Loxley) wounded his stepfather to death at plough, fled into the woods and was relieved by his mother till he was discovered. Then he came to Clifton upon Calder, and became acquainted with Little John, that kept the kine. Which said John is buried at Hathersage in Derbyshire where he hath a fair tombstone with an inscription. Mr Long saith that Fabyan saith, Little John was Earl Huntley’s son. After, he joined with Much the Millar’s son."

From this source:

http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/kirk6479...ompage0032.htm

DaBouncer · 08-06-2005, 10:58

Hmmm sounds interesting.
Would need a more credible source though, for example a university website or somthing similar.

A myweb site doesn't scream guaranteed information to me.
That's not to say it's not true tho, in fact I hope it is.

DaBouncer · 08-06-2005, 11:02

Some info on Robin Hood on the BBC website if you care to have a read.
Check it out here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/state/m...robin_01.shtml

Carmine · 08-06-2005, 11:06

This was from a decent article on the Channel 4 website:

Loxley, South Yorkshire
This is thought by some to be the birthplace of Robin Hood. The place-name is first associated with his birth in the Sloane Manuscript of c 1600, and this reputation was reinforced by Sir Walter Scott in his novel Ivanhoe (1820). The usual spelling is 'Locksley'. Here, the foundations of Robin's traditional birthplace were apparently visible in Little Haggas Croft as long ago as 1637. A nearby pub, called The Robin Hood, is locally said to have been (or built on the site of) one of the outlaw's many watering holes.
'Locality' three miles north-west of Sheffield. OS ref: 307899.

http://www.channel4.com/history/micr...s/robin02.html

Always wondered if there were any legends surrounding that pub...nice pub as well...wish I was there with a pint of Darkness right now in fact!

sammyBoy · 08-06-2005, 11:08

This link
http://www.robinhood.info/robinhood/factorfiction.html
has some info.....from this thread
http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/show...&threadid=5143

DaBouncer · 08-06-2005, 11:10

Ah but there is also this statement:

As the years went by, Robin Hood's birthplace became fixed at Locksley, and he was thought to be the rightful Earl of Huntingdon during the reign of Richard I. Others identified him with Robert Fitzooth, Lord of the manor of Loxley in Warwickshire during the reign of Henry III, whose family tree stretches back to one of William the Conqueror's barons. The earliest written tales actually place Robin in Barnsdale, but as time wore on, Nottinghamshire became the more accepted setting for his activities, and today it is this part of England that claims him as its own.

Can be found on this impartial History Website: http://www.thehistorynet.com/bh/blrobinhood/

Carmine · 08-06-2005, 11:12

The second article there actually references the first and mentions the fact that it website is owned and run by a resident of Loxley...I'm wondering if the resident in question is a forum user and if they'd be interested in sharing in the discussion around the origins of Robin Hood and the South Yorkshire connection?

Carmine · 08-06-2005, 11:14

Quote:

Originally posted by DaBouncer
Ah but there is also this statement:

As the years went by, Robin Hood's birthplace became fixed at Locksley, and he was thought to be the rightful Earl of Huntingdon during the reign of Richard I. Others identified him with Robert Fitzooth, Lord of the manor of Loxley in Warwickshire during the reign of Henry III, whose family tree stretches back to one of William the Conqueror's barons. The earliest written tales actually place Robin in Barnsdale, but as time wore on, Nottinghamshire became the more accepted setting for his activities, and today it is this part of England that claims him as its own.

Can be found on this impartial History Website: http://www.thehistorynet.com/bh/blrobinhood/

Interesting...does the Warwickshire reference have a date? As the earliest in relation to Loxley is circa 1600.

DaBouncer · 08-06-2005, 11:17

Judging by the brief readings I have done it would be very difficult (if not impossible) to prove just where Robin Hood actually came from and if in actual fact he did exist in the fashion we know.

It seems that the story has become sort of a folk legend similar to King Arthur.
The story of Robin Hood might actually be a mix of different peoples activities who shared similar names and the stories have just joined together over time.

It seems that Robin Hood may have existed in the 12th century, 13th century and even 14th century.
Either he's very old running around in his tights or there is no ONE Robin Hood.

Carmine · 08-06-2005, 11:24

Quote:

Originally posted by DaBouncer
Judging by the brief readings I have done it would be very difficult (if not impossible) to prove just where Robin Hood actually came from and if in actual fact he did exist in the fashion we know.

It seems that the story has become sort of a folk legend similar to King Arthur.
The story of Robin Hood might actually be a mix of different peoples activities who shared similar names and the stories have just joined together over time.

It seems that Robin Hood may have existed in the 12th century, 13th century and even 14th century.
Either he's very old running around in his tights or there is no ONE Robin Hood.

As I've been reading around on the subject that's the only impression that I could get. There's a place or local site of interest in almost every county in the land that has a claim to the legend.

I was mainly interested in the local legends surrounding Loxley and Sheffield as Robin Hood figures as a potent Pagan symbol of nature and the greenwood. I just like the idea that we have a little bit of the legend down the road, whether it's historically viable or not!

I'm in favour of the idea of more than one Robin Hood, of the title being assumed by outlaws as a statement against authority as was the case in the series "Robin of Sherwood" in which the title was handed from one man to another to keep the legend alive until it became bigger than one man alone.