The popular heroes of the Middle Ages were semi-mythical figures. "The Outlaws of Medieval Legend" explores not only the famous Robin Hood and William Wallace, but also some now forgotten rogues such as Gamelyn and Fulke Fitzwarin. Apart from William Wallace, the heroes of the outlaw legend were not men who played a leading role on the historical stage. Nevertheless, this book reveals how they were remembered in tradition for generations. This fascinating book explains the popularity of these figures and how the stories appealed to the common people of the Middle Ages. Keen also explores their origins, spirit and background. In this reissue, the author provides a new introduction to set the book in the context of recent work on these exciting characters.

Chapter 1 I The Matter of the Greenwood; Chapter 2 II The Story of Hereward; Chapter 3 III The Historical Background of the Hereward Legend; Chapter 4 IV The Romance of Fulk Fitzwarin; Chapter 5 V The Romance of Eustace the Monk; Chapter 6 VI William Wallace and the Scottish Outlaws; Chapter 7 VII The Tale of Gamelyn; Chapter 8 VIII The Robin Hood Ballads (I); Chapter 9 IX The Robin Hood Ballads (II); Chapter 10 X The Historical Background of the Robin Hood Ballads; Chapter 11 XI The Outlaw Ballad as an Expression of Peasant Discontent; Chapter 12 XII The Historicity of Robin Hood; Chapter 13 XIII The Outlaw in History; Chapter 14 XIV Conclusions; Appendix I THE SUPPOSED MYTHOLOGICAL ORIGIN OF THE ROBIN HOOD LEGEND; Appendix II SOURCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY; Appendix III ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY; Appendix IV ROBIN HOOD IN RECENT HISTORICAL WRITING (1977-86): A POSTSCRIPT Index;