placed over his grave, with an inscription to his memory. The following epitaph was found amongst the papers of the late learned Dr. Gale, Dean of York. Hear undernead dis laitl stean obiit 24 (r. 14.) kal dekembris 1247. Ritson though he did not pretend to say, that the language of this epitaph was that of Henry the third's time, nor indeed to determine of what age it was, perceived nothing in it from whence one should be led to pronounce it spurious, i. e. that it was never inscribed on the grave stone of Robin. That there actually was some inscription upon it in Mr. Thoresby's time, though then scarce legible is evident from his own words; near unto Kirklees the noted Robin Hood lies buried under a grave stone that yet remains near the park, but the inscription scarce legible." Duc. Leod. p. 91; and it should be remembered, as well that the last century was not the æra of imposition, as that Dr. Gale was both too 2 good and too learned a man either to be capable of it himself, or to be liable to it from others. Ritson who may, perhaps, be considered as prejudiced in his favour, gives the following summary of his character and renown, and produces, in confirmation of his opinion, a body of notes replete with erudition and research. "With respect to his personal character: it is sufficiently evident that he was active, brave, prudent, patient; possessed of uncommon bodily strength, and considerable military skill; just, generous, benevolent, faithful, and beloved or revered by his followers or adherents for his excellent and amiable qualities. Fordun, a priest, extols his piety, and piety by a priest is regarded as the perfection of virtue; Major pronounces him most humane and the prince of all robbers; and Camden, whose testimony is of some weight, calls him " prædonem mitissimum," the gentlest of thieves. proofs of his universal and singular popularity his story and exploits have been made the subject as well of various dramatic exhibitions, as of innumerable poems, rimes, songs and ballads: he has given rise to divers proverbs, and to swear by him or some of his companions appears to have been a usual practice: his songs have been preferred, on the most solemn occasions, not only to the psalms of David, As but to the New Testament; his service to the word of God; he may be regarded as the patron of archery: and though not actually canonized (a situation to which the miracles wrought in his favor, as well in his lifetime as after his death, and the supernatural powers he is, in some parts, supposed to have possessed give him an indisputable claim) he obtained the principal distinction of sainthood, in having a festival allotted to him, and solemn games instituted in honour of his memory, which were celebrated till the latter end of the sixteenth century; not by the populace only, but by kings or princes and grave magistrates; and that as well in Scotland as in England; being considered in the former country, of the highest political importance and essential to the civil and religious liberties of the people, the efforts of government to suppress them frequently producing tumult and insurrection: his bow and one of his arrows, his chain, his cap and one of his slippers, were preserved with peculiar veneration, till within the present century; and not only places which afforded him security or amusement, but even the well at which he quenched his thirst, still retain, his name: a name which in the middle of the present century, was conferred as an honourable distinction upon the prime minister to the king of Madagascar." BIRTH AND Gallant Atchievements of that ROBIN HOOD. TOGETHER WITH A TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE MANY MERRY AND EXTRAVAGANT EXPLOITS HE PLAY'D IN TWELVE SEVERAL STORIES. VIZ. The Noble Parentage of Robin Hood. Robin Hood and the Fifteen Forresters. Robin Hood and the Butcher. Robin Hood and the Begger. Robin Hood and the Stranger. Newly collected into one Volume by an Engenious Antiquary. LONDON, PRINTED BY A. P. AND T. H. FOR T. VERE AT THE SIGN OF THE ANGEL WITHOUT NEWGATE. 1678. |