Robin Hood was a real person Robin (or Robert) Hood (aka Hod or Hude) was a nickname given to petty criminals from at least the middle of the 13th century – it may be no coincidence that Robin sounds like ‘robbing’ – but no contemporary writer refers to Robin Hood the famous outlaw we recognise today.

Did Robin Hood steal from the rich?

In the original stories, Robin and his men even killed people travelling through the forest. And we are sorry to break your heart, but he did not steal from the rich and give to the poor either. He definitely stole, but most of it went into his own pocket!

Why was Robin Hood Outlawed?

Some stories say Robin was outlawed when he rescued Much the Miller’s Son from the sheriff’s men. Much was hungry and had killed the king’s deer. … Or that he is Sir Robin of Locksley, a knight who returned from the Third Crusade to find his land stolen by the sheriff.