There is actually another outlaw from Denmark whose exploits bear a resemblence to Robin Hood. The possible medieval parallels to the cult of Robin Hood are
actually quite intriguing. Stig Marske was the subject of several ballad cycles (like RH), six of which still survive. His career was highlighted in
considerable detail in 'The long ballad of Marske Stig', a work of 101 stanzas made up from a series of three short independent ballads. In this
respect it bears a close resemblence to the Geste of Robin Hood. Marske Stig Anderson Hvide, far from being an obscure outlaw though was one of the most
powerful landowners in Jutland and as Marske or High Constable at the Danish Court between 1283 and 1286, played a prominent role in the governmental service
of King Eric V Klipping. It was implication in King Eric's assasination at Finderup near Viborg on 22 May 1286 which led directly to Stig's banishment
and outlawry the follwing May and his exile in Norway and from 1290 to his death in 1293 on the island fortress of Hjelm in the Kattegat, where he had a
castle.
There are also ballads about Niels Ebberson, the knight who killed Count Gert of Holstein at Randers in Jutland on April 1 1340. This is actually one of the most popular ballads in Denmark.
There are also surviving ballads about a Serbian national hero called Marko Kralojic.
The parallels between the 'Long ballad of Marske Stig' and the 'Geste of Robyn Hode' are very close, both compiled from existing short ballads is very close.
Not in agreement with Rob F on this, don't think that the Geste is the original but a compilation of existing ballad and additon of other popular themes possibly of the day. The Holderness element for example probably being absorbed from the near contemporary activities of Robin of Holderness in 1461, Greeneleaf being absorbed from the activities of a notorious robber in Middelsex called John Greneleaf around 1490 who was actually likened to RH in the Chronicle of London.
The more that you examine these ballads, the more you think that if there is an historical origin to the RH legend, then it is either a man called Robert/Robin Hode or someone who took that alias. There are men like Godberd who look just like RH but what about the name?! Where does Robin Hood fit? There is no evidence that he took that name, he is not even called Robert. The name is a huge stumbling block. The same pattern occurs with most of the other balladic heros. I think that there probably was a man called Gamel/lyn and Adam Bell myself at the bottom of those ballads as well. We have a strong candidate for Adam Bell and the Gamel's men from Lincolnshire in 1202 is intriguing as that is where the ballad originates.
There are also ballads about Niels Ebberson, the knight who killed Count Gert of Holstein at Randers in Jutland on April 1 1340. This is actually one of the most popular ballads in Denmark.
There are also surviving ballads about a Serbian national hero called Marko Kralojic.
The parallels between the 'Long ballad of Marske Stig' and the 'Geste of Robyn Hode' are very close, both compiled from existing short ballads is very close.
Not in agreement with Rob F on this, don't think that the Geste is the original but a compilation of existing ballad and additon of other popular themes possibly of the day. The Holderness element for example probably being absorbed from the near contemporary activities of Robin of Holderness in 1461, Greeneleaf being absorbed from the activities of a notorious robber in Middelsex called John Greneleaf around 1490 who was actually likened to RH in the Chronicle of London.
The more that you examine these ballads, the more you think that if there is an historical origin to the RH legend, then it is either a man called Robert/Robin Hode or someone who took that alias. There are men like Godberd who look just like RH but what about the name?! Where does Robin Hood fit? There is no evidence that he took that name, he is not even called Robert. The name is a huge stumbling block. The same pattern occurs with most of the other balladic heros. I think that there probably was a man called Gamel/lyn and Adam Bell myself at the bottom of those ballads as well. We have a strong candidate for Adam Bell and the Gamel's men from Lincolnshire in 1202 is intriguing as that is where the ballad originates.
