Dramatis Personae by Steven H Silver

King Richard the Lionheart. The historical Richard I is first associated with Robin Hood in the sixteenth century. Prior to that time, Robin’s adventures took place during the reign of a king named Edward (which could have been during the Anglo-Saxon or Plantagenet periods). Richard is often shown as being away on the Third Crusade, only returning at the end of the tale to pardon Robin of any crimes he may have committed. First appears in the 16th century

Prince John: When the Robin Hood saga is set during the time when Richard I was on crusade, Prince John is shown as being the regent and often a wannabe usurper. Just as John proved to be a poor monarch following Richard’s death, he is portrayed as the villain of the Robin Hood stories, filling the kingdom with corrupt and unscrupulous men, raising taxes, and both out-lawing and ordering the death of Robin Hood. First appears in the 16th century

Maid Marian: Robin’s love and often portrayed as a ward of the Sheriff of Nottingham, who is also often enamored of her. Often seen as an embodiment of the ideals of the blessed Virgin Mary, she was held in high esteem by all of Robin’s men and was often shown to be Robin’s match in wits and capabilities rather than a damsel in distress. First mentioned by 1600.

Alan-a-Dale: Depicted as a minstrel, Alan-a-Dale is the only one of the Merry Men who is often shown to have a romantic life aside from Robin. Frequently, Alan first comes to Robin in order to get Robin’s aid in rescuing the love of his life from a forced marriage. First mention in “Robin Hood and Allan-a-Dale” in the mid-1600s.

Sir Guy of Gisborne: Originally introduced as an assassin who is hired to kill Robin Hood, over the years he was seen as a nobleman who was a romantic rival for Marian, although she had no desire for him. He was often a pawn of the Sheriff of Nottingham who planned to use him to capture/kill Robin Hood, marry him off to Marian, and acquire Marian or Robin’s fortunes through Sir Guy. First appears in “Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne” in 1650.

The Sheriff of Nottingham: Given the role as tax collector and enforcer of the laws, his is Robin Hood’s primary antagonist, although he is sometimes seen as a minion to Prince John and other times uses Sir Guy of Gisborne as his own minion. Generally referred to by his position rather than given an actual name, he donates the corruption and distrust the powers-that-be were generally held in. He has been identified with William de Wendenal, who held the office of Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire during the reign of King Richard I and with Philip Marc, who served as Sheriff of Nottingham in the early 13th century during King John’s reign.