Robin Hood: Volume 2
A Collection of All the Ancient Poems, Songs, and Ballads, Now Extant, Relative to that Celebrated English Outlaw

An important two-volume collection of medieval poetic texts relating to the legend of Robin Hood, first published in 1795.

Joseph Ritson (Edited by)

9781108078177, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 29 January 2015

234 pages, 55 b/w illus. 4 music examples
21.6 x 14 x 1.4 cm, 0.3 kg

A controversial literary critic and commentator, Joseph Ritson (1752–1803) made his reputation identifying and exposing literary forgeries. His enduring legacy, however, stems from his interest in the legend of Robin Hood. The combination of his passion for collecting literary antiquities, particularly medieval ballad poetry, and his political convictions in support of republican government, drew him to the tale of the English outlaw. This two-volume work, first published in 1795, is an important collection of texts relating to the legend. Ritson's aim was to present all the known poems and songs, and his research was so thorough that very little further material has been found since. This work helped transform the perception of the Robin Hood tradition, encouraging its serious study. As well as a selection of texts, Volume 2 contains an appendix of shorter pieces, including some song lyrics with scores.

1. Robin Hood's birth, breeding, valour, and marriage
2. Robin Hood's progress to Nottingham
3. The jolly pindar of Wakefield
4. Robin Hood and the bishop
5. Robin Hood and the butcher
6. Robin Hood and the tanner
7. Robin Hood and the tinker
8. Robin Hood and Allin a Dale
9. Robin Hood and the shepherd
10. Robin Hood and the curtall fryer
11. Robin Hood and the stranger
12. Robin Hood and queen Katherine
13. Robin Hood's chase
14. Robin Hood's golden prize
15. Robin Hood's rescuing Will Stutly
16. The noble fisherman
17. Robin Hood's delight
18. Robin Hood and the beggar
19. Little John and the four beggers
20. Robin Hood and the ranger
21. Robin Hood and Little John
22. Robin Hood and the bishop of Hereford
23. Robin Hood rescuing the widows three sons
24. Robin Hood and Maid Marian
25. The king's disguise
26. Robin Hood and the golden arrow
27. Robin Hood and the valiant knight
28. Robin Hood's death and burial
Glossary
Appendix.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]