The Robin Hood legend myth or fact?

i've heard theories that Robin Hood is based on William Wallace (Braveheart) from his pre-war days as a highway robber.

http://www.boldoutlaw.com/realrob/realrob2.html#hobbehod

talks about Robert Hod, a fugitive who Robin Hood may be based on, along with stories of other fugitives

http://www.highlanderweb.co.uk/wallace/truth7.htm

william wallace info

Most likely there have been several Robin Hoods:

Robert Hod - became outlaw in York in 1225 because of a debt

William Robehod - known as Robin Hood. An outlaw from Berkshire who was convicted in 1262

Gilbert Robynhod - a highwayman from Sussex (mentioned 1296)

Robyn Hode - mentioned in 1323

Robyn/Robert of Locksley - mentioned in 1196 and in 1203 as a man-at-arms

In my view anyway, the important part of the stories is that he is supposed to have been a dispossessed Saxon nobleman, but one who comes to terms with the Norman hegemony, accepting Richard I as his king, and is restored to his lands.

I think we have a political allegory here of the foundation of the English nation at the end of the 12th century, as the Saxon-Norman distinction begins to vanish. Paul is right about some similarities with Hereward, but Hereward, 150 years earlier, remains a rebel to the end. Robin Hood is perhaps Hereward politically corrected.

Which isn't to deny it may have been based on earlier stories about actual thieves, but I don't think the odd historical references to real thieves with similar names ever refer to noble Saxons.

Incidentally, T.H.White and others read the name "Hood" as a back formation from " 'ood " a common abbreviation of "Wood" at the time.

So Robin Hood, on that reading, would just be Robin of the Forest, and would have nothing to do with his headgear.