We found that Robin Hood matches Roger Godberd because of many matches of RH persons etc with persons etc in records of Godberd. Robin Hood himself has quality matches with Roger Godberd. Here we give some of the main general reasons why Roger Godberd seems the best historical match for Robin Hood.
- Similar names. Some critics claim that there is no evidence that Roger Godberd was ever called Robin Hood.
"(1261 or 1272 or) 1295 is the first reference to a Rabunhod/Robynhod" is during Roger Godberd's flourishing 1250-1260-1265-1276-1293.
The names Roger/Rogerus/Rogeri & God(e)berd(')/God(e)bert/Gootbert/Gootberd are similar to the names Robin//Rob/Robert/Robertus/Roberti/Robard(e) & Hood/Hod/Hode/Hude/Heud/Hoode/Hodjadis. Roberdsmen 1331 is very similar to Roger.
Robin Hood is connected with Robin Goodfellow (Puck). Hood is punned/rhymed with good in RH's gravestone epitaph.
Both names Roger & Robert/Robin are linked with each other in Roger Robelard 1285/1311, and Roger Marshall of Wednesbury "Robin Hood" 1498, and Jolly Robin & Jolly Roger?
Both names Roger & Godberd are similar to Robert. Robert means "famous, fame bright"; Roger means "famous spear", & Godberd means "God/good bright". Roger is also Hodge which is also similar to Hood. Remember that we are dealing with outlaws who altered/changed names, and with oral folk memories/traditions, and balladists who made alterations. The Robard Hude in RH's grave inscription could be a corruption of Roger Godberd.
RH was a "robber" in Fordun/Bower, and Godberd is said to have been a "robber" in records. Godberd was at Rufford (Abbey) which might also be similar to Robert? Robin Hood may have been buried under Major Oak and his name might be from robur "oak", and Godberd was in the Rufford area not far from here.
Roger Godberd was also contemporary with Robert Deyville who had a home/fort at Hode/Hood in 1264, and of Robert(us) Hod in the isle of Ely in 1266/1269. Roger Godberd's company also included a Robert le Lou.
- Both were in the same places. RH was in Sherwood or/and Barnsdale, and he has local traditions associations with Major Oak (not far from Rufford abbey), Edwinstowe, RH's Larder, Rufford Abbey, and the sheriff of Nottingham. Godberd was also in Sherwood or/and Charnwood, and was at Rufford Abbey, and is associated with a sheriff of Nottingham. Shirlond in Godberd records also resembles Sherwood? Godberd aided Sir Richard Foliot who had a castle at Fenwick in the Barnsdale area, and in Wellow in Nottinghamshire. Godberd was in the area of the abbot of Rufford's wood called Brunne. (St Barnabas/Bernewell 1269 might also match "Barnsdale"?) Robin Hood is also associated with Sandleford in Berkshire. Roger Godberd was at Stanley Abbey in Wiltshire (next door to Berkshire).
- Same dates. The Crusades (1095-1272) are mentioned in RH stories. The Geste mentions St Richard of Chichester who has date 1262, RH is ca 1266 in Fordun/Bower, RH is 1265-1272-1307 in the Polychronicon, RH traditionally died in 1247 or 1274. RH is 1283 in Wyntoun, Jeu Robin & Marion dates to 1283, The earliest Little John name is 1292? "1295 (or 1272) is the first ref to a Robynhod, while previously there were only Robehods", The unnamed outlaw in the Muskham Chronicle is 13th cent, The name Robin was common in the 13th cent. (RH's Cross 1319 or 1399?) These all well match with Roger Godberd of 1250 - 1260s - 1293. "RH born 1160" is also maybe similar to Godberd's 1260 date? "RH died 1247 or 1274 or 1347 or 1374" might be similar to Godberd died in either 1276 or 1293? Godberd was in Sherwood for 4 yrs which might match the 3 yrs mentioned in 'RH & the Potter'?
- RH & Sir Richard at Lee may match RG & Sir Richard Foliot (&/or Sir John Deyville).
- The king in RH was Edward. Godberd was partly contemporary with prince and king Edward 1. King Edward recruited men of Sherwood in the later 13th century.
- RH & LJ (& WS) may match Godberd & John Deyville (& Walter Deyvas)? There are actually 6 good LJ candidates in Godberd's records.
- Reginald de Grey is a good candidate for the Sheriff of Nottingham (and "Ranulf earl of Chester") in early Robin Hood stories. Reginald 1238-1308 was a rival of Roger 1238-1293 throughout their almost wholly contemporary lives.
- RH had a 143 merry men. "Godberd could call on a 100 men." The following references to Godberd and his men seem similar to RH and his men: "14 others" mentioned in the poaching record of 1264/1287 in Godberd's records. "Reginald de Grey ... fighting outlaws in Notts, Leics, Derby". Sheriff of Nottigham in conflict with outlaws 1266"? "William de Grey in conflict with outlaws 1266." "Skirmishes 1268. Roger de Leyburn, the lieutenant of Reginald de Grey, the king’s Constable at Nottingham castle fought 2 engagements with him and his followers, one in the heart of Sherwood Forest." "Numbers of robbers... Notts, Leics, Derby, ways 1272." King Edward recruited men of Sherwood in the later 13th century.
- The few Saints mentioned in the Geste etc have dates in the same time period as Godberd's activity.
- The 3 persons RH, Guy of Gisburne (who died) & William A Trent (who died) in the ballad RH & Guy of Gisburne might match the 3 persons Roger Godberd, Warin de Bassingburn "who has died" & William Wasteneys "who has died" in a Godberd record? (Though maybe we wrongly stretched the 2nd and 3rd names matches?)
- Similar natures: RH was an outlaw/wolfshead/fugitive/felon and robber and poacher, and a "sicarius/murderer" in Fordun/Bower. Roger Godberd was outlawed, and he was "accused as a public criminal of many burglaries, homicides, arsons, and robberies committed by him", "wickedly robbed the Abbey of Stanley", "denies all burglaries, homicides, arsons, robberies and all larceny etc." RH was also "good", a gentleman, courteous, chivalrous, loyal to the King, helped the poor, harmed no women, pious, noble? etc. Godberd "says that he has always thereafter conducted himself well and faithfully towards the said king and his heirs and everybody else, and that he is not guilty of any of the foregoing", "denies all burglaries, homicides, arsons, robberies and all larceny etc."
- Robin Hood was captured and escaped. Roger Godberd the 1st time he was captured he afterwards escaped. (The 2nd time he was imprisoned for some time but was later released.)
- Some stories say Robin Hood had a stepfather (sometimes named Adam or Ailric). Roger Godberd had a stepfather (named Anketil).
- Both linked with name Simon: RH is supposed to have used the pseudonym Simon over the Lee the Noble Fisherman in his adventure at RH's Bay. Roger Godberd of Swaninton was a follower of Simon de Montfort former earl of Leicester, and he was a contemporary of Simon de Montfort the younger who was in the isle of Axholme in 1265. (He might also be connected with Simon Fyn of Swaneton 1274?) (In the Roman tradition Simon Peter had a "bushy white beard". Godberd could mean "good beard"? RH might have a connection with St Peter of York? He also did the opposite to simony.)
- RH is said to have slain 14 foresters. There are "14 others" mentioned in the poaching record of 1264/1287 in Godberd's records. (Other possible matches include Godberd's death on the 13th of Nov? The records of Godberd also mention 12 mainpernors, & 12 jurors?) Though the 14 slain could maybe instead rather be from the 15 foresters sent after Fulk Fitwarin in c 1200.
Robin of Loxley? The "Robin of Loxley" tradition might just be a later addition/embelishment or conflation. However there might possibly be an original match in the records of Roger Godberd. Godberd was from Leicester, which was abbreviated Leyc/Leic(s) in the records, and he was also a follower of Simon former earl of Leicester. Godberd's associates included a Robert le Lou who had lands in Northants. There is a "wood of Novo Loco" 1264/1287 in the Godberd records too, and ley can mean "wood". Loxley manor was granted to Kenilworth priory in 1253, and some sources claim that Godberd was supposedly buried at Loxley in 1293. RH's Loxley might be connected with Sir Richard at Lee's lea which matches Sir Richard Foliot's ... in Godberd's records. Or Loxley might be connected with Kirklees which we will see later maybe matches Major Oak not far from Rufford where Godberd is recorded to have been.
Possible "Earl of Huntingdon" match: RH is supposed to have been the "earl of Huntingdon". This may just be a later non-original addition or embellishment. However there is a possibility that "Robert earl of Huntingdon" in the alleged RH's grave inscription could be a corruption of "Roger Godberd of Swanington"? Godberd was also a follower of the rebel Simon de Montfort former earl of Leicester (which is similar to Robert Hood of Wakefield was an adherent of the rebel earl of Lancaster). Among Godberd's associates was a Robert le Lou who had "lands in Northants." which might be similar to the earl of Huntingdon idea. Alternatively the name Huntingdon might really be from hunting, and we note that Godberd was accused of poaching. Another possibility is that the title related to Robert de Ferrers 6th earl of Derby (deer-by) of 1264/1266 who was a near contemporary of Godberd.
The claim that "Bower mentions both Roger Godberd and "Robert Hood" but explicitly as two separate individuals" is not true as far as I know? In any case it is evident that Roger Godberd is the primary candidate and best match for the main true Robin Hood.
Roger Godberd seems the best match for Robin Hood, but we can't be sure he is truly the only best match, also we can't be sure that there are not more than one historical Robin Hoods conflated into the one Robin Hood of tradition. Other possible candidates for the one or more historical Robin Hoods include: Swain/Swein son of Sigge 1000s (Wiki), Foliot/Wellow b 1110/d 1165/1272/1290 (Molyneux-Smith), "Men of Sherwood" 1138/1141/late 13th cent David of Huntingdon 1152-1279, Robert of Knaresborough 1160-1218, Robert Fitzodo/Fitzooth 1179/86/90s/96/99/1202/03/16/20/78 * Fulk Fitz Warin 1190s/1197/1203/1256/12th. Robert de Hood in Northants 1191/4 Rob de Huntingdon 1191-1221/1254 Robert de Hood in Cumberland/Cumbria 1198/1199 Rob de Hodelme 1199, * Robert Hod in Lincoln assize roll 1206 Robert de Kyme of Lindsey 1210-1226/1227 Robert Hood servant of the abbot of Cirencester 1213-1218 William of Kensham/Willikin of the Weald 1216? (McGlynn) Eustace the Monk 1217? Livery Giver 1218, Baldwin de Hodenet 1220, Robert(us) Hod of York / Hobbehod 1225/1226-1234 Robert of Wetherby 1225-1230, Robert (de) Thweng/Thwing / William Wither 1231, Robert Hod de Linton 1241-57-63, Robert de Locksley 1242-1248, Robert Deyville who had a home at Hood 1264 Robert le Lou 1264-1287 William Robehod/Rabunhod 1261/1262/1272 (Berks) Robert de Ferrers 1264/1266 Robert(us) Hod in the isle of Ely in 1266/1269 Richard Hood of Sowerby 1274-5/1296/1314, Jeu Robin & Marion 1283, Richard Rolle 1290-1349, Robert Butler of Skelbrooke 1294. Unnamed Outlaw in 13th cent, Green Man 1300s / c 1400 / 15th cent, Barnsdale rife with robbers in 1306 Robert Hode/Hood of/at Stanley 1308-16/1333? Robert Hood (the Grave of Wakefield) at Alverthorpe 1309/1332 Robert Hood of Wakefield 1316-1323-1347. * Gilbert de Middleton 1318 Grete Hobbe 1323 Robyn Hod(e)/Hodjadis 1323/1324 (Hunter) * Eustace (de) Folville / the Folville Gang 1326-1332/33? assault & goods carried away in Skelbrooke in 1329 'Roberdsmen' 1331 Roberd Hood of Newton 1332-41 "Lord" Robert Dore of Wadsley called "Robin Hood" 1382. Sir Geoffrey Luttrell from Hooton Pagnell d 1419 (Howells), Under Edward IV 1461-1483 (Knight) Robin Goodfellow 1488/1584.