Sherwood Forest is the legendary English woodland famous as the secret hideout of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. It is home to over 1,000 ancient oak trees, some over 500 years old! Explore the history behind this famous outlaw's green adventure.
Imagine a forest so huge and wild that a legendary outlaw could live there for years without being caught! Can you guess where this famous green hideout is?
Welcome to Sherwood Forest, the real-life woodland in Nottinghamshire, England, that is famous for one of the greatest legends in history: Robin Hood! Long, long ago, this forest was part of a massive Royal hunting ground, proclaimed by William the Conqueror and mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086. While the ancient forest covered perhaps a quarter of Nottinghamshire back then, today the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve is about 1,049.6 acres (or 424.75 hectares). Even though it’s smaller now, it’s still home to over a thousand ancient oak trees and echoes with tales of daring heroes and fights against unfair rulers!
Mira says:
"Wow, Finn! These stories are amazing because Robin Hood was always fighting for what was right—stealing from the rich to give to the poor! That shows that even when you are an outlaw, you can still be a hero for the people who need you most!"
What is the Legend of Robin Hood?
The most famous legend surrounding Sherwood Forest is that of Robin Hood. He was a legendary outlaw, which means he lived outside the law!
In the popular stories for kids, Robin Hood was known for being an amazing archer—the best with a bow and arrow! He and his loyal band of friends, called the Merry Men, used the dense, green woods of Sherwood as their secret base.
Their main goal? To trick and rob the rich folks, especially the grumpy Sheriff of Nottingham, and give the stolen gold and goods to the poor people who truly needed it. It’s a tale about fighting for fairness when the rulers aren't being fair.
Mind-Blowing Fact!
The earliest stories about Robin Hood weren't books, but long poems called ballads, which people sang to each other hundreds of years ago!
Amazing Ages: How Old Are Sherwood Forest's Trees?
The trees in Sherwood Forest are ancient history themselves! Some of the grand, old oak trees here are so old they were alive when the legends were first being told.
You can find more than 1,000 ancient oaks in the reserve. Many of these magnificent trees are known to be more than 500 years old!
The most famous tree of all is the Major Oak. Legend says Robin Hood and his Merry Men hid inside its huge, hollow trunk.
Age of the Major Oak
Found in the forest!
Annually to the forest
How Did the Major Oak Get Its Famous Name?
If you visit the Major Oak, you’ll see its enormous branches are held up by big metal supports. It’s not actually named because it was the *major* tree in the forest!
It was named after a man named Major Hayman Rooke. He was an army officer who retired and became very interested in the forest's old trees in the late 1700s.
Before that, the tree was called the 'Cockpen Tree' because its hollow trunk was sometimes used to keep fighting cocks! After Major Rooke studied the forest, people renamed the tree in his honor.
What Were the Oak Trees Used For?
The strong, beautiful oak wood from Sherwood Forest wasn't just for hiding in! For centuries, the forest provided wood for some of England's grandest projects.
The wood was used to build the roofs of famous buildings like St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
It was also used to build many of the Royal Navy's ships, even as late as the time of the famous sea hero, Lord Nelson!
💡 Did You Know?
The area where Sherwood Forest is today was once called 'Birch Lund,' which is a name from the time of the Vikings!
🎯 Quick Quiz!
Which famous outlaw hero is most connected with Sherwood Forest?
Who Were Robin Hood's Merry Men?
Robin Hood rarely worked alone! He had a loyal group of friends, the Merry Men, who helped him with his quests to help the poor.
These loyal friends helped him hide out, fight, and plan their next adventure against the bad guys.
You'll meet lots of different characters in the many versions of the story, but some names keep popping up!
- Little John: Robin’s very large and strong right-hand man!
- Friar Tuck: A friendly, plump monk who loved food and fighting!
- Maid Marian: The clever and brave love interest of Robin Hood.
- Will Scarlet: Sometimes shown as a flashy, bold fighter.
- Alan-a-Dale: A talented musician who played the lute.
Even though we aren't totally sure if Robin Hood was a real person, the legend is super important! It reminds us that it's good to stand up against unfair rules and always try to help people who are having a tough time. That’s why his story for kids has lasted for centuries!
Questions Kids Ask About Medieval History
Keep Exploring the Green Wild!
From the huge, ancient oaks to the tales of an archery hero, Sherwood Forest is a true piece of medieval magic! Next time you're near a forest, imagine the adventures that might be hiding just out of sight. Keep listening to History's Not Boring to discover more amazing stories!
