Uncovering Robin's Hood: The History of the Well Known Legend

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The Middle Ages, also known as the Dark Ages, was a time period in Europe after the fall of Rome in 476 A.D. to the 15th century, where the advancement of modern society in Europe screeched to a halt. During this time the societal system of feudalism rose as the main hierarchy system throughout Europe. However it led to great unbalance in the power between the people and the government. The main factor of power and wealth in feudalism was land, the kings and lords had most of the land, while the people had none. During this time, people needed a hero to give hope to everyone and help them through this dark time. This is when the legend of Robin Hood was born. Robin Hood is about a skilled archer who turns rebel. He steals from the rich and gives to the poor, accompanied by his band of merry men. The struggle during the Middle Ages is what causes people (mostly peasants) to want to believe in the story of Robin Hood. The fall of Rome in 476 A.D. to people needing protection against invaders and attackers. This was a great struggle for many people, either find protection, fight for yourself, or get killed by invaders. In the legend of Robin Hood, Robin protected the people with his master archery and gave them support by giving them money that he stole from the rich. The fall of Rome also contributed to no central government which caused most of daily life to be disorganised, since there is no clear set of rules and no basic schedule for people to do what. Economic problems also rose from the fall of Rome, since established trading systems were forgotten since the government isn’t there to enforce them. In this time it was truly a struggle for people to have normal lives, let alone survive. After this actual governmental systems b... ... middle of paper ... ...them to supply them with food and help. Because even at this time, the church started to stop letting people near them in fear of catching the plague. The plague also led to the decline of the church’s power in Medieval Europe, as people started seeing that even the church was powerless in this epidemic. The Middle Ages in Europe were scary times for most people. It was filled with violence, death, disease, inequality, and corruption of higher powers. Most people were left without any hope at all about life. Many thought no one cared about them, and that they were worthless. But the legend of Robin Hood gave many hope in a time of despair. The legends about Robin stealing from the rich and giving to the poor with his band of merry men brought hope into many people’s lives. That someone did care about them, and that maybe they’re plight isn’t so hopeless after all.

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