The Sheriff of Nottingham

The Sheriff of ‘Nottingham’ was the legal authority appointed by the King to keep law and order in the area.

Who was he?

The city of Nottingham didn’t have a Sheriff until 1449.

(This was 70 years after the first literal references)

The Sheriff of Nottingham was actually the Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire

However, Prince John did appoint a city ‘reeve’ who had responsibilities similar to those of the Sheriff

Wrong name

He was responsible for seizing outlaws’ (law breakers) property.

He would administer justice in the shires He would collect taxes

What was his job?

The Sheriff was appointed by the King but he was not paid for his efforts

On the contrary, he actually had to pay the King a sum called a ‘farm’ to keep his position.

However, the Sheriff made a lot of money through bribery to perform false arrests and collecting more taxes than necessary form his poor subjects(something he did not mention to the King!)

A volunteer?

Most frequently mentioned dutiesHe had the

responsibility of ensuring that traders could pass safely through Sherwood Forest

He would punish those who poached (killed illegally) the King’s deer

The position of the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire , Derbyshire and the Royal Forest existed between 1068 until 1568

King Richard the Lion heart became King in 1189

Prince John tried to rebel against his brother, King Richard, while he his brother was off fighting in the Third Crusade (1189-1192)

Prince John was proclaimed King of England in 1199 after King Richard died, shot in his own castle.

When did he live? “clue dates”:

When Robin Hood was only sixteen he became an orphan. He lost both his father, a forester, and his mother, the niece of a knight, to a terrible illness. He wandered around Sherwood until he shot one of the King’s deer out of hunger. The young Sheriff of Nottingham captured and arrested Robin and sentenced him to death. However, at the last minute, he was rescued by a band of thieves and hunters who lived in the forest.

Meeting with his archrival

Possible explanations: He was embarrassed that he let Robin Hood escape.

He was jealous of Robin Hood’s lady, Maid Marian.

Robin Hood was forever getting in his way of keeping law and order in the city.

Why was did they become enemies?

1)Which two shires did the Sheriff administer? 2) What was the name of the sum he had to pay the

king? 3)How did the Sheriff make his money? 4) Who was the Sheriff’s main rival? 5) How old was his rival when they first met? 6) Which crusade did King Richard fight in? 7) Name two reasons the Sheriff and Robin could have

been enemies. 8)What animal is the Sheriff in the Disney version? 9) What does “poaching” mean? 10)What was the name of King Richard’s brother?

Quiz

The Guy of Gisborne

The Sheriff of Nottingham’s “friends”

Some versions say he was a strong and powerful knight, even more important than the Sheriff

Others say he was a landless knight who was a bully and a the right hand man of the Sheriff

Friend or hired assassin?

One day in the forest, Guy who was dressed in horse’s was hunting for Robin under the Sheriff’s orders. Robin Hood saw the stranger and challenged him to a archery contest. None of the fellow knew the other’s true identity. After Robin Hood displayed his skills (“worthy of the true Robin Hood himself”), Guy of Gisborne introduces himself and states his business. Robin Hood says I am the man you seek. They draw swords and duel to the death of Guy.

Meeting with Robin Hood

Guy was under orders from the Sheriff to capture and kill Robin Hood.

However, he also had a personal rivalry with Robin. He was in competition with Robin for Maid Marian’s affection and never got over the fact that she chose Robin.

Rivalry with Robin

Was the unpopular brother of Sir Richard the Lion Heart.

While King Richard was off fighting in the third crusade, Prince John was in power and conspired with the King of France to take over.

However, when the King returned, he fled England, fearing his brother’s punishment.

He became King after his brother’s death in 1199 He was an disliked leader: he lost most of his land

to the French, fought with the archbishop of Canterbury (and got excommunicated by the pope), and ordered the first income tax.

Prince John

Prince John (authority)

Sheriff of Nottingham (right hand man)

Guy of Gisborne (hired assassin)

Puppets?

Villain Taboo

Wizard of Oz Dorothy Green Yellow Brick Road

Wicked Witch of the West

The Lion King Simba Mufasa Stampede

Scar

Little Mermaid Ariel Octopus Sea

Ursula

Robin Hood Prince John Guy of Gisborne law

The Sheriff of Nottingham

Star Wars Luke Father Mask

Darth Vader

Harry Potter ‘He who must not be named’ magic Nose

Voldemort

Bram Stoker Fang Blood Vampire

Count Dracula

Doctor Jekyll Alter ego Scientist Bad side

Mr. Hyde

Alice and Wonderland Cards Hedgehogs Croquet

Queen of Hearts

Peter Pan Alligator Clock Pirate

Captain Hook

Lord of the Rings Eye Ring Frodo

Sauron

Oliver Twist Pick- pocket Nancy Dog

Bill Sikes

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe Narnia Snow Aslan

White Witch

Treasure Island Pirate Parrot Jim Hawkins

Long John Silver

101 Dalmatians Fur coat Black and white dogs

Cruella de Vil