Robin of Sherwood

The earl of Huntingdon sighed quietly as he watched his teenage son, Robert, emerge out of the woods surrounding Huntingdon castle.... That particular spot was special; that had been where his wife, Mathilda, had taken her son for long forest walks, where she’d told him stories, where they’d played games. But when Robert was eight years old, the games had ended, and there were no more stories. But as each day thereon passed, the earl realised why his offspring behaved in the way he did. After all, Robert of Huntingdon was Mathilda’s son. He was her legacy.

The village of Papplewick has a new head family keen to exchange goodwill with the outlaws. Much is less than thrilled when Robin decides he should be the one to meet with the head villager’s eldest child each month, to swap tax money for food and information. The last thing Much wants is to trudge across Sherwood in all weathers to talk to a girl.

In this instalment - set between the third and fourth season of the TV series - we find the Merry Men without a proper leader, as Robin - after losing Marion to Holy Orders - spends his waking hours in an increasingly drunken state. Abbot Hugo meanwhile has cleaned out the family coffers and secured a release for his brother, the sheriff, from King John’s prisons. This is granted on one condition - the sheriff pays a fine for every month that goes by without the capture of Robin Hood.

Many centuries ago, before Robin, before King Richard and Prince John, before even Herne the Hunter, there was Sherwood Forest. And at the heart of it, mystical paths were drawn together to protect the future. But something or someone in Robin’s time has chosen now to make a stand and destroy the past, the present and the future, with the help of the dragons, the ancient beasts of legend. And it will take a true hero to stop them.

The ITV series Robin of Sherwood is generally considered to have been among the greatest adaptations of the legend, with its fantastic set of characters both traditional and new, as well as its twisting, turning, turbulent plot lines. This audiobook is one of an excellent range that adds even more depth to the Robin Hood universe, with each episode taking place close to the timeframe of the original TV show and featuring the characters we all know and love.

In this instalment - set during the third season of the ITV series, just prior to the episode 'The Time of the Wolf' - all convicted male felons from the gaols of England are to be sent to fight in France, on the command of King John himself. Assisting in this task is the Crown’s chief recruiter, James D’Marelle, who is touring the country to round up each quota of men. When word reaches Nottingham Castle that D’Marelle, is paying a visit, the sheriff orders Sir Guy of Gisburne to gather a few men from each local village to quickly make up the numbers.

A journey to the Lady of the Well is their one hope. But the Lady will only help those she deems worthy...and someone is busy convincing her that they are not.

The earl of Huntingdon sighed quietly as he watched his teenage son, Robert, emerge out of the woods surrounding Huntingdon castle. That particular spot was special; that had been where his wife, Mathilda, had taken her son for long forest walks, where she’d told him stories, where they’d played games. But when Robert was eight years old, the games had ended, and there were no more stories. But as each day thereon passed, the earl realised why his offspring behaved in the way he did. After all, Robert of Huntingdon was Mathilda’s son. He was her legacy.

Wickham is not a happy village and, when Meg is threatened by Gisburne’s soldiers, Will Scarlet loses his temper and Wickham fears reprisals. The once loyal villagers, without Edward of Wickham to guide them, begin to turn on the outlaws who regularly save their lives. Fortunately, another Hooded Man has entered the first - with his own good lady and band of men. Is he the saviour or the charlatan of Sherwood?

In this instalment - set between the TV episodes 'The Cross of St. Ciricus' and 'The Knights of the Apocalpyse' - we are introduced to the Baron De Baucher.... As Harvest approaches, Robin and the outlaws battle to stop the people of Sherwood from starving. When an encounter with the sheriff sees Robert De Rainault turn over a new leaf, Gisburne calls upon an old friend to help bring the Shire back into line. But just who is the Baron De Baucher, and what dark powers does he command?

In this instalment - set shortly after the episode 'Seven Poor Knights from Acre' from the TV show's first season - a fortune in gold may be up for grabs.... When Tuck, Much and Little John come to the rescue of a monk in the forest, Tuck recognises a face from the past: his one-time friend, Brother Michael. On the run and desperate for help, Brother Michael offers Robin and the outlaws the chance to secure a fortune in gold. There's just one catch though: the money belongs to Prince John, who has entered into an agreement with the Knights Templar in order to protect his fortune.