Poor Folk Disliked Hood Too: Expert

The rich and poor alike may have despised Robin Hood in his day, the BBC reports. A note written by a monk in a medieval manuscript describes the famous thief—and giver to the needy—as having “infested” the countryside “with his accomplices.” The find also pinpoints Robin Hood as living under the reign of Edward I in the 13th century, and makes specific reference to Sherwood Forest.

"Rather than depicting the traditionally well-liked hero, the article suggests that Robin Hood and his merry men may not actually have been 'loved by the good,'" said one medieval expert. "The new find contains a uniquely negative assessment of the outlaw, and provides rare evidence for monastic attitudes towards him." (Read more Robin Hood stories.)