Laws and Moral Codes of Outlaws in Britain

This essay explores the laws and moral codes of outlaws in Britain, focusing on the narrative of Howard Pyle's Robin Hood. It discusses the social structure, portrayal of authoritative figures, reasons for becoming an outlaw, and the values and beliefs of the era.

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The aim of the following essay is to view upon the laws and moral codes of outlaws in
Britain. The social structure of these outlaws and their activities as per the narrative of Howard
Pyle regarding lives of Robin Hood and other outlaws would be discussed in this essay. The
outlaws had been considered as people living in a lawless world in their own ways and own
social obligations. The portrayal of authoritative figures is also a very crucial aspect of this
paper. The reason for becoming an outlaw should be explored and along with the portrayal of
Robin Hood as a hero. The values and beliefs of this era are to be considered in this essay as
well.
Thesis statement: Portrayal of Robin Hood and other outlaws has been a direct challenge to the
social structure of the era.
It has been found from the description of Howard Pyle that Robin Hood and his band of
outlaws lived in Sherwood Forest and they committed their activities in the surrounding regions.
As per the descriptions, social structure of contemporary Britain had worsened in a manner that
band of outlaws used to steal everything from the passing noblemen and distribute those goods
among the poor men (May: 197). This fact signifies that Authority did not help poor men of the
country and they only tortured those helpless men. According to Pyle, Robin Hood was a

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yeoman that meant he was a common citizen of the country (Pollard: 123). However, he turned
into an outlaw or a social bandit. He had very high skills in archery and sword fighting.
Therefore, he was the best person for doing such kinds of things like stealing things from passing
noblemen. On the other hand (May: 197). Robin Hood was considered as a bandit from the
perspective of Authority but he was a hero to poor people of villages in the surrounding regions.
He is the central character of the story or protagonist. This is why he has always been considered
as a hero despite he commits crimes of stealing (MacLeod: 44).
Some critics have questioned on the ways Robin Hood used to protest against oppression.
In the historical context of this folklore, it can be said that Robin Hood was tired of oppressions
that had been carried out by Prince (or King) John in his time (Pollard: 123). So, there were
hardly any options left for Robin Hood. Robin Hood has always been a hero for children as this
book was written for children only. During the time when this novel was written, concept of
being called a hero was to do good things for people and society. The opposing character to
Robin Hood was Prince or King John (MacLeod: 44). It has been clear from the narrative that he
was a complete oppressor who unleashed heavy tortures on poor people in contemporary British
society. The band of outlaws freed themselves from the moral laws and codes. All moral codes
and laws were in favor of rich people who were regarded as noblemen. Every people having
money were included among noblemen (Cech: 11).
However, on the other hand politics is somewhat different from what it used to be. Laws
in current times are subject to change on ground of needs from majority of people. If Robin
Hood has to be compared to current times, it can be said that Robin Hood was nothing but a
thief. He would be found by police and taken into custody for stealing from those noblemen
(MacLeod: 44). He took up the initiative to revolt against barons and this seems to be quite

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illegal and unethical if viewed from the modern perspective (Keen: 89). The oppression of King
and barons was perhaps the reason as to why the band of outlaws came out of that social order
and established their own moral codes. It can also be counter-argued to support activities of
Robin Hood and his men. It can be said that Robin Hood and his men definitely had the right to
snatch noblemen of their riches and distribute them to poor people of the society just because
those noblemen had rights to torture them (Cech: 11). They did it enhance their properties and
riches so Robin Hood did the best thing to counter them back. In this scenario, difference
between ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys’ will have to be found to judge whether Robin Hood was
always a hero (Seal: 67).
Robin Hood has to be called a hero as per notions of fictional novels because he never
beat up innocent people but only robbed off rich noblemen for benefits of down trodden people.
His only purpose was to strengthen economically backwards people (Keen: 78). Thus concepts
of society by concentrating on hierarchical power have been bashed by activities of Robin Hood.
Robin Hood was only eighteen years old when he fled to forest because of not getting proper
opportunities to progress and be economically independent. In this case he was compelled to kill
the forester of king for self defense (Seal: 67). Howard Pyle did not set the novel on background
of winter since every character of band of outlaws would suffer terribly from spine chilling cold
of Britain. During this time, disputes between Saxons and Normans became very clear. The
Norman Conquest was a path breaking incident that paved way for establishment of a Royal
Government (Seal: 67).
The authority simply became highly desperate since they only wanted to capture
members of outlaws and kill them. This activity of the Authority encouraged them to be more
enraged and they were provoked to steal from all noblemen passing by Sherwood Forest. Several

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outlaws had been imprisoned but they somehow succeeded in escaping from jail. They wanted to
stay with Robin Hood and protest against oppressive and arrogant behavior of those outlaws. The
agenda of their activities were based mainly on political grounds (Seal: 67). This is why they
formed this kind of separatist movement for betterment in the situation. The community believed
in Robin Hood and they always supported when he went out commit such deeds. These are
probable why Robin Hood had to steal their properties from them. The Authority labeled them as
bandits but he continued with his work (Nollen: 47). There is a very interesting thing to say in
this aspect and i.e. works of Robin Hood might not be proper and according to ethics but his
purpose was definitely ethical. This is why they abandoned that social structure and came to be
known as outlaws. Formal and traditional concepts might not approve him to be a heroic figure
but what he did was absolutely for well being of community and poor people.
On a concluding note, it can be said that Robin Hood has been regarded as a
revolutionary figure in fictional history of England. The Sherwood Forest is the place where
band of outlaws used to live. Tremendous oppression led them to escape from there and they
protested against the evil activities of Prince (or King) John by snatching properties of noblemen
when they passed through the forest. This activity was supported by community since poor
people were being helped by Robin Hood. He turned to a hero for all of them but a social bandit
for authority. Thus there might be many contradicting viewpoints but Robin Hood is appreciated
for his efforts and regarded as a hero in annals of history. Thus, Howard Pyle has brought out
scenario of conflicts between band of outlaws and authorities.

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References
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Dynamics 28.1 (2016): 13-26.
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Early Modern Figures from Robin Hood to Twm Shon Catty. McFarland, 2014.
Keen, Maurice. The outlaws of medieval legend. Routledge, 2013.
MacLeod, Anne Scott. "Howard Pyle's Robin Hood: The Middle Ages for
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May, Jill P. "The Hero's Woods: Pyle's Robin Hood and the Female Reader." Children's
Literature Association Quarterly11.4 (1986): 197-200.
Nollen, Scott Allen. Robin Hood: a cinematic history of the English outlaw and his Scottish
counterparts. McFarland, 2015.
Parker, Martin. Alternative business: Outlaws, crime and culture. Routledge, 2013.
Pollard, Anthony J. "Political ideology in the early stories of Robin Hood." Outlaws in medieval
and early modern England. Routledge, 2016. 123-140.
Seal, Graham. "The Robin Hood principle: Folklore, history, and the social bandit." Journal of
Folklore Research (2009): 67-89.