Name: _________________________________
Date: _________________________
HR: ___________________________________
Teacher: ______________________
Robin Hood is a legendary English hero who lived in a forest with his band of fellow outlaws. In most stories, Robin
Hood defeats his opponents with his clever wit and superior skills in archery and sword fighting. However, one meeting
between Robin and a disguised Marian has a surprising and humorous outcome. Read the excerpt below. Use
information from the excerpt to answer the questions that follow.
from
Robin Hood
His Life and Legend
by Bernard Miles
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Robin often went for long walks in the forest, all by himself. He loved his outlaw
army and enjoyed all the business of the camp, but he had to be ever on the alert, watching
and listening, visiting look-out posts and hiding places, sometimes slipping into Nottingham
to learn the latest news; and this he could best do on his own.
The day after Marian came to the forest he was out on one of these patrols when he
suddenly heard twigs being broken underfoot a little way ahead. He stepped aside from the
path and waited, listening. Soon, from his hiding place, he saw a young man approaching
down the glade. He was tall and strong and carried only a dagger and broadsword. For a
moment it crossed Robin’s mind that he had seen this young fellow before, but he dismissed
the thought as he stepped out to challenge him.
‘What is your business here in the forest?’ he asked.
Marian’s heart gave a great leap as she recognized him, standing there so slim and
brave and handsome . . . But then she had another thought . . . She had travelled ninety-odd
miles pretending to be a man and no-one had found her out. Why give herself away so soon?
So she stood her ground.
‘What is my business here, you ask. I ask you what is yours?’
‘You are now in outlaw country,’ said Robin. ‘We do not suffer strangers in the
greenwood. You were best go back the way you came.’
‘No outlaw shall make me go back,’ said Marian, and she drew her sword. ‘Come, let
us fight it out and may the best man win.’
She stood there so fierce and challenging and her voice rang out so manly that Robin
had no alternative but to draw his sword and face the matter out. And so the fight began.
Robin was a fine swordsman but Marian surprised him with her skill and toughness.
She could catch him off-balance and make him miss his stroke, and when he made a
dangerous cut could turn his blade aside with hers. Best trick of all, she twice changed hands
and fought him left-to-right as boxers sometimes do. They call them Southpaws. But at last
Robin began to wear her down. Now he must surely win. But then she saw her chance.
Behind him was a chestnut tree with a root sticking out of the ground in a sort of loop. Most
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swordsmen were careful to see that all was clear behind them. But this time Robin had
forgotten.
With a last great effort Marian attacked and drove him backwards into the trap. His
foot caught in the root, his sword flew out of his hand and down he went, head over heels in
the bracken. In a moment Marian’s sword was at his throat. Robin tried to reach for his
horn but she planted her foot on it and held it fast, then slashed its cord and bending down,
picked up the horn herself.
‘Now fellow,’ she said. ‘Get up and tramp! I want to see your outlaw band and the
place they bide in. I also want to meet their leader and tell him how I met you sword to
sword and beat you to your knees.’
There was no way Robin could get out of it. He had to obey. Scrambling to his feet
he stood there helpless, and feeling rather foolish.
‘Now put your hands up, about face and march,’ said Marian. ‘Try any tricks with me
and
you will get this blade between your shoulders.’
‘What of my sword?’ said Robin.
‘I will take care of that,’ said Marian, picking it up.
It was comical to see Robin returning to camp as a prisoner. But what followed was more
comical still. As the outlaws clustered round, Marian spoke out in a ringing voice.
‘Fetch me your leader. I come to marry him.’
At this the outlaws laughed. ‘Our leader is no woman, but the man who stands at
your sword’s point.’
‘This fellow lead?’ said Marian. ‘Why he cannot even hold his own against a woman.’
Then she let out a peal of laughter and dropped her sword. ‘I am no man as I appear,
but Robin’s pupil Marian. Three years ago I vowed to wed him when the time was ripe,’ and
with that she snatched off her cap and her hair fell tumbling over her shoulders and she
rushed into Robin’s arms hugging him, and laughing and crying by turns. . . .
A few days later Robin and Marian became husband and wife.. . .
So Marian came to the greenwood, and the outlaws never wearied of hearing how
she fought the Prince of Outlaws sword to sword and how she made him yield.
1. In paragraph 6, what does Robin mean when he says, "We do not suffer strangers in the
greenwood"?
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2. Based on the excerpt, why does Marian go to the forest?
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3. Based on the excerpt, what ultimately causes Robin to lose the sword fight?
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4. Based on the excerpt, which of the following is the best definition of the word bide as it is
used in paragraph 11?
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1. In paragraph 6, what does Robin mean when he says, "We do not suffer strangers in the
greenwood"?
A. Robin does not like outsiders snooping around the forest.
C. Robin does not talk to those he does not know.
B. Robin punishes people who destroy the forest.
D. Robin considers everyone he meets an outsider.
2. Based on the excerpt, why does Marian go to the forest?
A. to locate and spy on Robin Hood
B. to seek help from Robin Hood
C. to beat Robin Hood at his own game
D. to find and marry Robin Hood
3. Based on the excerpt, what ultimately causes Robin to lose the sword fight?
A. his lack of strength
B. his anxiousness
C. his weak sword skills
D. his carelessness
4. Based on the excerpt, which of the following is the best definition of the word bide as it is
used in paragraph 11?
A. to maintain a condition
B. to live in a specific location
C. to be left behind
D. to wait for something to happen
5. In the excerpt, Marian outsmarts and outfights Robin. Describe the character traits of Marian that
enable her to trick Robin and win the fight. Use relevant and specific information from the excerpt
to support your answer.
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