Robin Hood: Being a Complete History of All the Notable and Merry Exploits Performed by Him and His Men on Many Occasions

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THE reign of King Richard the First was very different from the times we now live in. The roads were very bad, and were beset with robbers; and there was a great number of large forests and parks in the country well stocked with deer. At that time lived the famous Robin Hood. He was born in the village of Locksley, in Nottinghamshire, and his father was very skilful in the use of the cross-bow. His mother had a brother named Gamewell, of Great Gamewell-hall, near Maxwell, in the same county, but at the distance of twenty miles from the house of Robin Hood’s father. When Robin Hood was about thirteen years old, his mother said one day to his father, “Let Robin and me ride this morning to Gamewell-hall, to taste my brother’s good cheer.” Her husband answered, “Do so, my dear; let Robin Hood take my grey horse, and the best bridle and saddle: the sun is rising, so, pray make haste, for to-morrow will be Christmas-day.” The good wife then made no more ado, but put on her holiday petticoat and gown, which were green. Robin got his basket-hilt sword and dagger, and his new suit of clothes; and so rode, with his mother behind him, till he came to Gamewell-hall. Squire Gamewell made them welcome twenty times; and the next day six tables were set out in the hall for dinner: and, when the company was come, the squire said to them, “You are all welcome, but not a man here shall taste my ale till he has sung a Christmas carol.” They now all clapped their hands, and shouted, and sang, till the hall and the parlour rung again.—After dinner, the chaplain said grace, and the squire once again bid his friends be merry. “It snows and it blows out of doors (said he), but we are snug here; let us have more ale, and lay some logs upon the fire.” He then called for Little John; “for,” said he, “Little John is a fine lad at gambols, and all sorts of tricks, and it will do your hearts good to see him.” When Little John came, he was indeed as clever as the squire had said; but Robin Hood got up, and played all the very same tricks, and better still. The squire was quite glad to see this; and he said, “Cousin Robin, you shall go no more home, but shall stay and live with me: you shall have my estate when I die, and, till then, you shall be the comfort of my age.” Robin Hood agreed to this, if his uncle would but give him Little John to be his servant.