The Organisation and Religion to Re-unite All Religions

 

The Curse of Kirklees
The Mystery of Robin Hood’s Grave

Nobody can deny that the legend of Robin Hood is popular!   But why is it so popular?   What attracts people’s attention to such a common cutthroat as Robin Hood?

The legend has been passed down for many years, in many countries and many variations.   Only 5 tales are known to have existed before 1500 'A Gest of Robin Hood', 'Robin and the Monk', 'Robin Hood and the Potter', Robin Hood and Guy of Gisbourne' and 'Robin Hood, his death'. These tales are the main source of evidence for his existence.

Some people however believe that Robin Hood originated from Yorkshire .   Reverend Joseph Hunter first mentioned Robin Hood in his book The Great Hero of Minstresly of England, Robin Hood which was published in 1852.   He identified an area called Saylis (Sayles) in the Gest at Wentbridge near Doncaster .   The Great North Road , which was called Watling Street in the Gest, passed through this area which is today spanned by the A1 flyover.

Hunter goes onto say that a Robert Hood married Matilda was mentioned in Wakefield Court Rolls for 1274 and 1358.   Another Wakefield historian J.W.Walker developed the legend further in his article to the Yorkshire Archaeological Society in 1944.   He identified Robert Hood of the court rolls to the son of a forester in the Service of John, Earl of Warenne of Sandal Castle .   Robert’s wife had the traditional pre-outlaw name of Matilda before she became Marian.

There are other characters in the legend.   These are   Friar Tuck, George a Green, Will Scarlet, Gilbert of the White Hand, Much the Miller’s Son and Allen a Dale and obviously Maid Marian, Guy of Gisburn and of course The Sheriff of Nottingham (more of which later).

The Sheriff of Nottingham did not become involved in the story of Robin Hood until much later, the year being 1449.   The Sheriffs were corrupt and harsh and they were the king’s representatives for their country and sought to enforce the laws, gather taxes and hold courts.   Their jurisdiction would have extended into Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

Robin’s death is briefly mentioned in the Gest.   He says that he must go to the Prioress of Kirklees who was his kith and kin to be let blood.   The Prioress and her lover Red Roger of Doncaster was a knight or priest plotted to kill Robin Hood.    He lay here on his death bed with Little John at his side and said that he wanted to be buried where is arrow fell.   650yrds away from the Priory is Robin Hood’s Grave.

In the 80’s people connected Robin’s strange death to that of a ‘Vampiric’ nature and claimed that Robin, himself, was a creature of a night.   This was because of the theory behind his blood letting.   This was not done by accident but was pure murder on the Prioresses behalf.   They also claimed that they did an “exorcism” on this particular ghost, but if that is the case, then why is the place still haunted to this very day.   Several people over the years have given eye witness statements to the Yorkshire Robin Hood Society and various other organisations, claiming to have witnessed this Spectre or ‘Vampire’.    I too have sensed an ‘evil’ presence at the graveside.

What or whom is causing the haunting? No one knows.   Is it Robin or is it the Prioress or is the spirit someone else entirely different.   It is a well known fact that other nuns lived at the Priory and there are unmarked graves in Kirklees Estate.   Some of the Nuns maybe even buried under the modern farm buildings of today.   What a gruesome thought!!!!.

 

Sources and Credits:
Author: Catherine Fearnley
The mystery continues.
Bibliography, Barbara Green, The Yorkshire Robin Hood Society.
The Tales of Robin Hood - Nottingham