The Outlaws Of Medieval Legend

The Outlaws of Medieval Legend The swashbuckling mythical heroes of the Middle Ages have been the object of fascination for centuries. The Outlaws of Medieval Legend explores not only the notorious Robin Hood and William Wallace, but also some now forgotton rogues such as Gamelyn and Fulke Fitzwarin. Apart from William Wallace, the heroes of the outlaw legends did not playa leading role on the historical stage. Nevertheless, this book reveals how they were remembered in tradition for generations. This intriguing book explains the popularity of these figures and how the stories appealed to the people of the Middle Ages. Maurice Keen discusses the origins, spirit and background of the tales as well as the real people on whom they were based. In this edition of The Outlaws of Medieval Legend, the author provides a new introduction to set the book in the context of recent work on these exciting characters. Maurice Keen is a distinguished historian of the Middle Ages and Fellow and Tutor at Balliol College, Oxford. His many books include England in the Later Middle Ages (Routledge, 1975), Heraldry (Yale, 1986) and Nobles, Knights and Men at Arms in the Middle Ages (Hambledon Press, 1996) . hJ ~ merp gene of sobpn f)OObtsntl DfI)PSSf,ft,~"tfJ andDe plaFt fo: to be pfsrcb in ~"t gS~btrp pie. faUn" MID full oCPatlVmr... tn···):. The Outlaws of Medieval Legend Maurice Keen London an d New York First published 1961 Revised edition published in 1977 Revised paperback edition published in 1987 Revised edition published in 2000 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 270 Madison Ave, New York NY 10016 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group Transferred to Digital Printing 2007 © 1961 , 1977, 1987,2000 Maurice Keen All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data A catalog record for this book has been requested ISBN 0-415-23650-9 (Hbk) ISBN 0-415-23900-1 (Pbk) Publisher's Note The publisher has gon e to great lengths to ensure the quality of this reprint but points out that some imperfections in the original may be apparent Contents PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION PREFACE INTRODUCTION TO THE SECOND EDITION INTRODUCTION: SOME RECANTATIONS I. TIlE MATTER or THE GREENWOOD II. TIlE STORY OF HEREWARD page vii ix xi xxiii 1 9 III. THE I1ISTOR