Case 1

Robin

Hood*VV
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It was in the spring of the second year of his insurrection lose, were now giving the forest a wide berth. This was against the High Sheriff of Nottingham that Robin Hood costly and inconv enient to them, but it was preferable to took a walk in Sherwood Forest. As he walked he pon- having all their goods confiscated. dered the progress of the campaign, the disposition of his Robin believed that the time had come for the forces, the Sheriffs recent moves, and the options that Merrymen to change their policy of outright confiscation confronted him. of goods to one of a fixed transit tax. His lieutenants The revolt against the Sheriff had begun as a personal strongly resisted this idea. They were proud of the crusade, erupting out of Robins conflict with the Sheriff Merrymens famou motto: s Rob the rich and give to the and his administration. Alone, however, Robin Hood could poor. The farmer s and the townspeople, they argued, do little. He therefore sought allies, men with grievances are our most import ant allies. How can we tax them, and and a deep sense of justice. Later he welcomed all who still hope for their help in our fight against the Sheriff? came, asking few questions, and only demanding a willRobin wondered how long the Merrymen could keep ingness to serve. Strength, he believed, lay in numbers; to the ways and methods of their early days. The Sheriff He spent the first year forging the group into a disci- was growing strong er and better organized. He now had plined band, united in enmity against the Sheriff, and will.- the money and the men, and was beginning to harass the ing to live outside the law. The bands organi zation was band, probing for its weaknesses. simple. Robin ruled supreme, making all important deciThe tide of events was beginning to turn against sions. He delegated specific tasks to his lieutenants. Will the Merrym en. Robin felt that the campaign must be deci Scarlett was in charge of intelligence and scouting. His. sively concluded before the Sheriff had a chance to deliver a mam job was to shadow the Shenif and ins men always mortal blow But how he wondered, could this be done? alert to their next move He also collected information on Robin had often entertamed the possibility of killing the travel plain of rich merchants and tax Vcollectors. Little the Sheriff, but the chances for this seemed increasingly re John kept discipline among the men, and saw to it that their. mote. Beside s,. while killing the Sheriff might satisf his archery-was the high peak that their profession de personal thirst for revenge, it would not improve the situa manded. Scarlck. took care of the finances, converting tion. Robin had hoped that the perpetual state of unrest, and loot into cash, paying shares of the take, and finding suit- the Sheriff s failure to collect taxes, would lead to his re able hiding places for the surplus Finally Much the moval from office Instead, the Shenif used his political con Millers son had the difficult task of provisioning the ever nections to obtain reinforcement. He had powerful friends at increasing band of Merrymen. court, and was well regarded by the regent, Prince John: The increasing size of the band was a surce of satisPrince John was vicious and volatile. He was confaction for Robin, but also a source of concern. The fame sumed by his unpopularity among the people, who wanted of his Merrymen was spreading, and new recruits poured the impris oned King Richard back. He also lived in conin from every corner of EnglancL As the band grew larger, stant fear of the barons, who had first given him the re their small bivouac became a major encampment. Between gency, but were now beginning to dispute his claim to the raids the men milled about, talking and playing games. throne . Several of these barons had set out to collect the Vigilance was in decline, and discipline was becoming ransom that would release King Richard the Lionheart harder to enforce. Why, Robin reflected, I dont know from his jail in Austria. Robin was invited to join the conhalf the men I run into these days. spiracy in return for future amnesty. It was a dangerous The growing band was also beginning to exceed the proposition. Provin cial banditry was one thing, court infood capacity of the forest. Game was becoming scarce, trigue anothe r. Prince Johns spies were everywhere. If and supplies had to be obtained from outlying villages, the plan failed, the pursuit would be relentless Vand retriThe cost of buying food was beginning to drain the bands bution swift. financial reserves at the very moment when revenues were The sound of the supper horn startled Robin from his in decline. Travelers, especially those with the most to though ts. There was the smell of the air. Nothing was resolved or settled: Robin headed for Prepared by Joseph Lampel, City University. London. Copyright camp promising himself that he would give these problems Joseph Lampel 1985. Rev sed 1991. Reprinted with permission. his utmost attention after tomorrows raid.
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