The Life and Adventures of Robin Hood (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1865. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVII. Death of Henry II.--Robin visits Nottingham in the guise of a Butcher; and the Sheriff visits Sherwood--The adventure with the two Monks of St Mary's Abbey. N July the 6th, 1189, died Henry the Second, and was succeeded by Richard, the wandering king of England. The circumstances of the age pointed to the Holy Land as the place where kings might obtain renown, and build for themselves everlasting names and glory by fighting around the sepulchre of Christ. The desire that Henry had for leading the expedition thither had not been fulfilled, and Richard, whose whole soul seemed framed in the sinews of war, determined that his first battle should be against the infidels. Regents were appointed to govern England in his absence, and his brother John had granted him the earldoms of Nottingham and Derby. These were good times for Nottingham, and the sheriff turned his attention from the forest rovers ta the prospect of having to entertain so notable a personage as the brother of the king. The people of Nottingham looked forward with fond hopes to the advance of trade, from the time when John would come to his castle. With the decease of Henry, they hoped that many abuses which had existed in the kingdom would be remedied, and that many hardships which had been practised upon the people by the king's officers would be abated; and they heard, with feelings of joy and admiration, of the resolve of the king to carry the banners of England into so holy a war as that in Palestine. Robin Hood and his band heard of the changes that had taken place in the government of England, and determined to maintain their stand in the forest, whatsoever might betide them. It was in the fall of the year, and Robin had not heard certain news that he desired from Nottingha...