vii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOL. I. Vignette of Archery Implements at back of title-page Frontispiece. Aucient Morris Dance, from an engraving on copper, by The Engraving at the head of the Preface is by that well-known aud Tail-piece to Preface.-Representation of Robin Hood's Well, near Doncaster. 1720 Head-piece to Life of Robin Hood. Robin trimming his Bow 1 Little John's Grave, as it now exists, at Hathersage, in Derbyshire 10 Robin Hood and his two Companions, from the wood-cut in the first edition of the Garlands. 1686 29 Friar Tuck, from Mr. Tollett's Painted Glass Window 31 George à Green, Pindar of Wakefield, from his History. 12mo. 1706 39 43 Kirklees Abbey, Yorkshire, from the engraving in Stukeley's "Itinerarium Curiosum." C. the trees among which Robin Hood is said to have been buried 47 Robin Hood's Grave-stone, from Gough's "Sepulchral Monuments 50 Little John's House, as it at present exists, at Hathersage, Derbyshire 70 The Major Oak, Sherwood Forest . 73 Head-piece to the edition of the Lytell Geste in the Advocates' Library, Tomb of Matilda, daughter of Lord Fitzwalter, at Dunmow 81 138 viii Head-piece to Fytte of the Lytell Geste.-Robyn Hode and his Companions 145 Tail piece to Fytte I.-Saxon Huntsman. Cotton MS. Brit. Mus. 157 Head piece to Fytte II.-The Knight redeeming his Land, to the surprise of the Abbot of St. Mary's 158 167 Tail-piece. -Saxon Bow and Arrow. Cotton MS. Tiberius, C. vi. Head-piece to Fytte III.-Raynolde Grenelefe making Obeisance to the Head-piece to Fytte IV.-Robin Hood pressing the Monk to take wine 189 Tail-piece.-Archer of the 13th Century. Burney MS. Head-piece to Fytte V.-Robyn Hood after taking Little John on his back, while he rests, amuses himself with shooting Tail-piece.-Ladies Hunting. 14th Century. Royal MS. 2. B 7 . Tail-piece.-Practising with the Cross-bow. Royal MS. 2 B7. Head-piece to Fytte VII.-Robin Hood and Richard at the Le saluting the King 203 Tail-piece.-Archery. 14th Century. Royal MS. 2 B. 7 212 Head-piece to Fyte VIII.-Robin Hood blowing his Horn to summon his Companious 213 Hunting Dresses. 15th Century. Harleian MS. 4431 Woodland Scenery. Head and Tail Pieces to the Eight Fyttes of the Morris Dancers from Holme's "Academy of Armory," 1683 361 Wood-cut in the title-page of " Robin Hood's Garland," 1670 363 In the present endeavour to place the life and character of ROBIN HOOD in a new and more favourable light, than that in which his early and scanty history is recorded by anonymous ballad writers and penny chap-book publishers, and more especially in an attempt to controvert the noble lineage which Mr. Ritson in his modern and more elaborate Life has ascribed to him, the Editor is aware that he has many popular prejudices and prepossessions to contend against in the credulity of the former class, and a minutely accurate and singularly pains-taking opponent in the latter gentleman. He would fain, therefore, shelter himself under the wing of Lord B |