Why is Sherwood Forest called Sherwood Forest?

The name 'Sherwood' was first recorded in 958AD when it was called Sciryuda, meaning 'the woodland belonging to the shire'. It became a Royal hunting forest after the Norman invasion of 1066, and was popular with many Norman kings, particularly King John and Edward I.

What is the story of the Sherwood Forest?

While Dracula stalks Whitby and King Arthur rules Tintagel, Sherwood Forest is Robin Hood's realm. Folklore says that he and his Merry Men lived in the forest, playing games and practicing archery while evading the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Is there a real Sherwood Forest in England?

Sherwood Forest, woodland and former royal hunting ground, county of Nottinghamshire, England, that is well known for its association with Robin Hood, the outlaw hero of medieval legend. Sherwood Forest formerly occupied almost all of western Nottinghamshire and extended into Derbyshire.

Did Robin Hood really live in Sherwood Forest?

Another chronicler has it that he was a Wakefield man and took part in Thomas of Lancaster's rebellion in 1322. One certain fact is that he was a North Country man, with his traditional haunts as an outlaw in Sherwood Forest and a coastal refuge at Robin Hood's Bay in Yorkshire.

What are three facts about the Sherwood Forest?

It attracts around 360,000 visitors annually, with more than 400 acres of the forest open to the public. Sherwood has more than 1000 ancient oaks and a mix of old wood and heathland – over 900 trees in the forest are thought to be 600 years old or more.

A Brief History of Sherwood Forest

What is special about Sherwood Forest?

Wooded for centuries, and once part of a vast royal hunting ground, Sherwood's a unique place to visit, boasting hundreds of ancient oaks thriving here for more than 500 years, including the legendary Major Oak, estimated to be around 1,000 years old.

How old is the oldest tree in Sherwood Forest?

Due to its national importance, conservation measures to the tree have been carried out continually since 1908. Today, this world famous oak, at least 1000 years old, weighs an estimated 23 tons, its trunk circumference is 33 feet (10m) and its branches spread to over 92 feet (28m).

Where is the real Robin Hood buried?

Robin Hood's Grave is the name given to a monument in Kirklees Park Estate, West Yorkshire, England, near the now-ruined Kirklees Priory. It is alleged to be the burial place of English folk hero Robin Hood.

Did Robin of Loxley exist?

Robin Hood is a legend. Loxley is a place-name in southern Yorkshire. Robin was a common contemporary name and “hood” was a word used for thief, so there were many Robin Hood's in England during the 1200's and 1300's.

Is the major oak still alive?

The long, twisted limbs of the slow-growing tree have been supported by wooden stilts since Victorian times, and the Major Oak continues to live and grow.

Was Robin Hood a real person in history?

Because Hunter and other 19th-century historians discovered many different records attached to the name Robin Hood, most scholars came to agree that there was probably no single person in the historical record who inspired the popular stories.

Who owns the Sherwood Forest?

Thoresby Estate

In the same family since 1633 – incorporates Sherwood Forest and owns the land on which the nature reserve sits. To this day, the family takes an active role in the management of the land and their support and passion for Sherwood is invaluable.

Which outlaw lived in Sherwood Forest?

Sherwood Forest had its own recorded outlaw at large, Roger Godberg. Outlawed for his involvement in the 2nd Barons' War (Simon De Montfort against Henry III 1264-1267). Roger Godberg fled to Sherwood Forest. One in the heart of Sherwood Forest!

How old is the great oak in Sherwood Forest?

How old is Major Oak? The Major Oak is the biggest oak tree in Britain and is thought to be between 800 and 1,000 years old. The world-famous tree weighs an estimated 23 tonnes, has a girth of 10 metres (33ft) and boasts an impressive canopy that reaches a whopping 28 metres (92ft).

What is the tree in Sherwood Forest?

Probably the most famous resident of Sherwood Forest (after Robin Hood of course), the iconic Major Oak is an ancient giant that absolutely cannot be missed.

Which famous English legend lived in Sherwood Forest?

The name of Robin Hood has been synonymous with Sherwood Forest for more than 600 years. The words “Robyn hod in scherewod stod” (“Robin Hood in Sherwood stood”) are taken from a poem dating back to around 1400. But there were references to the world's most famous outlaw even before then.

Was the sheriff of Nottingham real?

The legend of Robin Hood (which is at least as old as the 14th century), traditionally referred to the Sheriff of Nottingham only by his title. There has in fact never been a Sheriff of Nottingham, as such.

What was Robin Hood's real name?

As the earl, Robin's real name is sometimes said to be Robin Fitzooth, or the lord of Locksley Hall. In the television series Robin of Sherwood, Robin of Loxley is killed, and Robert of Huntingdon becomes the second Robin Hood.

Is Little John based on a real person?

Starting from the ballad tradition, Little John is commonly shown to be the only Merry Man present at Robin Hood's death. Despite a lack of historical evidence for his existence, Little John is reputed to be buried in a churchyard in the village of Hathersage, Derbyshire.

Did they ever find Robin Hood's grave?

The legendary character of Robin Hood wasn't real and therefore doesn't have a real grave. However, a certain location has become known as “Robin Hood's Grave.” It's located in Kirklees Park Estate, West Yorkshire, England, 53.6897°N 1.736°W (Robin Hood's Grave - Wikipedia ).

How old was Robin Hood when he died?

Ritson gave the date of Robin Hood's death as 18 November 1247, when he would have been around 87 years old. In copious and informative notes Ritson defends every point of his version of Robin Hood's life.

Where was Robin Hood killed?

In Robin Hood's Death, Robin travels to Kirklees Priory, but is betrayed by his cousin, the prioress. She improperly takes too much blood while bloodletting Robin, and in one version Robin is also stabbed with a sword by a nemesis called Red Roger.

What's the oldest tree on earth?

In eastern California, a Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) known as Methuselah has long been considered Earth's oldest living thing. According to tree-ring data, Methuselah is 4,853 years old — meaning it was well established by the time ancient Egyptians built the pyramids at Giza.

What is the most famous tree in the world?

General Sherman

This giant sequoia can be found in California's Sequoia National Park. Measuring 52,500 cubic feet, General Sherman is the largest tree in the entire world. The tree was named after Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman and is estimated to be about 2,000 years old.