Robin Hood: Legend and Reality.

The article focuses on David Crook's book *Robin Hood: Legend and Reality*, which investigates the historical origins of the Robin Hood figure. Crook, a former archivist, uses extensive thirteenth-century records to argue that the real Robin Hood was likely Robert of Wetherby, a criminal outlaw executed in 1225, linking him to Eustace of Lowdham, a sheriff associated with Nottingham. The book is divided into two parts: one tracing the evolution of Robin Hood folklore through ballads, literature, and place names, and the other presenting archival evidence challenging the long-held view that Robin Hood was purely a fictional creation. Crook's research offers new insights into how historical outlaws have been transformed into legendary social bandits in folklore.