It is more interesting to note that a pasture called ‘Robynhode Closse’ (i.e. close) is mentioned in the Nottingham Chamberlain’s accounts as early as 1485, and a ‘Robynhode Well’ in 1500.
[4.] So translated by Ritson. ‘Comedies and tragedies’ is an ambiguous phrase in the fifteenth century, and may mean either the dramatised May-games or ballads. Cf. Chambers, Mediæval Stage, ii. 211.
[5.] Translation (except the last phrase) by A. Constable, Edinburgh, 1892.
[6.] See H. L. D. Ward’s Catalogue of Romances, 506, under the Romance of Fulk Fitz-Warine.
[7.] The suggestion that ‘Hood’ = ‘o’ Wood’ was originally made in the Gentleman’s Magazine for March 1793, over the signature D. H.
[8.] First, as regards Marian, by Warton, History of English Poetry (1774), p. 245: recently and in more detail by E. K. Chambers, Mediæval Stage (1903), i. 176.
[9.] This leaf has lately been given to the Library of Trinity College, Cambridge, by Mr. Aldis Wright. It may be seen in facsimile as well as in type in the Collections (p. 117) of the Malone Society (Part ii., 1908), where the two plays of Robin Hood mentioned above are also reprinted.
[10.] It should be remembered that Wyntoun says that Robin Hood plied his trade in Inglewood and Barnsdale (see ante, p. xiv.).
[11.] Child, in saying that ‘Robin Hood has made a vow to go from London to Barnsdale’ (v. 51) seems to assume that the ‘king’s court’ (Gest, 433) implies London, which, however, is not specified.