Robin Hood’s home may have been found in Nottingham, England!

Photo. Robin Hood memorial statue in Nottingham. © Travel Explorations.

Researchers from the Sheffield University unearthed in June 2006 the remains of a stone and wood castle some 52 miles from Nottingham. This city has traditionally associated with Robin Hood and his merry band.

Many books have been written and movies have been produced about Robin Hood, and with more added to the history, there will probably be more books and movie about him. The Woodland and former royal hunting ground, county of Nottinghamshire, is well known for its association with Robin Hood, the outlaw hero of medieval legend.

In October 1992 I felt the tension visiting Nottingham, which is a city and county town of Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands of England. The centre of Nottingham lies on the River Leen and its southern boundary follows the course of the River Trent, which flows from Stoke to the Humber. Since I had heard so much of the great hero Robin Hood, I was curious to find out more about him. Was he a true person in the past or just a legend?

Robin Hood was an English folk hero. He became famous for his robbing of the rich to feed the poor and fighting against injustice and tyranny. He operates with his group of fellow outlawed men, named the Merry Men, meaning "companion or follower of an outlaw". They hided in the Sherwood Forest and Barnsdale Forest near the city of Nottingham. This story has fascinated people all over the world.

In August 2002 there was another amazing discovery related to Robin Hood. Archaeologists found a tunnel beneath the city's Galleries of Justice which may feature in one of the famous outlaw's exploits. Documentation from nearby St Mary's church tells of Robin escaping from the church in tunnels which led to the prison. The tunnel, which has remained undiscovered for centuries, was found by archaeologists surveying the existing cave system underneath the ancient site.  

Photo. Nottingham Castle, built in 1068. Nearby is the Sherwood Forst were Robin and his men hided.  © Travel Explorations.

The maze of man-made tunnels are thought to link up to many of the natural caves beneath the city and are dated back to before the medieval age. At that time the discovery was reported, it was also mentioned that the staff in the museum had plans for excavating the whole of the cave system.

There will definitely be more stories about Robin Hood coming up during the research work, and also clearer evidences for his existence.

Stein Morten Lund, 23 June 2006

Additional information

Another historical attraction in Nottingham is the pub Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, which claims to have opened in 1189AD and is the oldest pub in England. The pub has a rock face. It`s carved into the rock and connected with the labyrinth of sandstone caves at the foot of Nottingham Castle. To enter this pub, it was like taking a journey in to the dark. Especially some rooms were very dark. Some people like drinking their cold beer in the sun, and other in dark, cold corners in a pub. I find it better to stand by the bardesk were it was much lighter and quicker service.

Photo. Two thirsty men eager to enter the pub. © Travel Explorations. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem has been serving ale for almost a thousand years. I just wonder about there could be any ghost there since the pub was so old and so dark inside. The cellars of the pub are all caves. This place is an real institution.

Address:
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
1 Brewhouse Yard
Nottingham NG1 6AD
0115 9473171
Website: www.yeoldetriptojerusalem.com