This volume was published in 1853.
From the book's Introduction:
A few years ago I was on a temporary visit to England, and
while spending a few days in the manufacturing districts, in
the west riding of Yorkshire, became interested in the descrip-
tion given me by a friend of the burial place of Robin Hood.
Having leisure, I spent a day in wandering over the grounds
and examing the ruins of the ancient priory of Kirkdees,
where the hero of English ballads died. This romantic spot
is about six miles east of the city of Huddersfield. It lies some
distance from the public highway, and portions of the surround-
ing grounds are wild and picturesque. Beside a small clear
rivulet, which murmurs through a pleasant valley, where the
antlered deer drink in safety may be seen the remains of the
old priory buildings. The narrow window is shown out of which
Robin Hood, when he found life was ebbing fast, handed to
his trusty man, Little John, the arrow to be shot from his
cross-bow. The spot where the arrow fell was to be the
place of the outlaw's sepulture. So local tradition has handed
down the story. The arm of the faithful follower must have
been strong, for it is a full half mile from the ruins to the grave.
On the top of a hill thickly wooded, and beneath the shade of
giant old forest trees, overlooking the beautiful valley of the
Calder, is the grave of Robin Hood. It is a fitting place for
his final rest beneath the greenwood tree. A growth of
underwood surrounds the spot, and the scene may be as
wild as when, five hundred years ago, Sherwood Forest
echoed the notes of his bugle, or rang with the laugh and
the shouts of his "merrie men all". Within the last few years,
much antiquarian research has been made in England, for the
purpose of ascertaining the true character of this celebrated
outlaw.
Mr. John Mathew Gutch has recently published two octavo
volumes, in which he has given all that is known of his true
history, and has brought together the numerous ballads,
poems and song, of which he has been the subject, and
which for so many centuries have taken a strong hold upon
the popular mind of England. I am indebted to his work for
the principal part of the materials used in the sketch I have
given in the following pages.
Another hero of ballad and of story, whose name like that of
Robin Hood, is known wherever the English language is spoken,
is William Kidd. In an article read last winter before the New
York Historical Society, I availed myself of some rare documents
in my possession, and of some newly discovered materials,
for the purpose of showing the true character and relations
of ths noted buccaneer. Having been often requested by
members of the Society, and others, to enlarge the narrative
and to give publicity to it, I have ventured to do so. The
period in which Captain Kidd lived was one of absorbing interest,
both in England and in America. He was a partner with men
who exerted a controlling influence in the affairs of govern-
ment on both sides of the Atlantic, and it is believed that a
true historic investigation of his career will not be without
interest to the reader.
An effort has been made, therefore, in the following pages,
to show why it is that the names of Robin Hood and Captain
Kidd -- the theatre of the exploits of the former having been
on the land, and of the latter on the sea -- have excited so
much interest.
..............................................................................
Robin Hood is an heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor," assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men." *
William "Captain" Kidd (1645-17010 was a Scottish sailor remembered for his trial and execution for piracy after return-
ing from a voyage to the Indian Ocean. **
* - ** summary from wikipedia
From the book's Introduction:
A few years ago I was on a temporary visit to England, and
while spending a few days in the manufacturing districts, in
the west riding of Yorkshire, became interested in the descrip-
tion given me by a friend of the burial place of Robin Hood.
Having leisure, I spent a day in wandering over the grounds
and examing the ruins of the ancient priory of Kirkdees,
where the hero of English ballads died. This romantic spot
is about six miles east of the city of Huddersfield. It lies some
distance from the public highway, and portions of the surround-
ing grounds are wild and picturesque. Beside a small clear
rivulet, which murmurs through a pleasant valley, where the
antlered deer drink in safety may be seen the remains of the
old priory buildings. The narrow window is shown out of which
Robin Hood, when he found life was ebbing fast, handed to
his trusty man, Little John, the arrow to be shot from his
cross-bow. The spot where the arrow fell was to be the
place of the outlaw's sepulture. So local tradition has handed
down the story. The arm of the faithful follower must have
been strong, for it is a full half mile from the ruins to the grave.
On the top of a hill thickly wooded, and beneath the shade of
giant old forest trees, overlooking the beautiful valley of the
Calder, is the grave of Robin Hood. It is a fitting place for
his final rest beneath the greenwood tree. A growth of
underwood surrounds the spot, and the scene may be as
wild as when, five hundred years ago, Sherwood Forest
echoed the notes of his bugle, or rang with the laugh and
the shouts of his "merrie men all". Within the last few years,
much antiquarian research has been made in England, for the
purpose of ascertaining the true character of this celebrated
outlaw.
Mr. John Mathew Gutch has recently published two octavo
volumes, in which he has given all that is known of his true
history, and has brought together the numerous ballads,
poems and song, of which he has been the subject, and
which for so many centuries have taken a strong hold upon
the popular mind of England. I am indebted to his work for
the principal part of the materials used in the sketch I have
given in the following pages.
Another hero of ballad and of story, whose name like that of
Robin Hood, is known wherever the English language is spoken,
is William Kidd. In an article read last winter before the New
York Historical Society, I availed myself of some rare documents
in my possession, and of some newly discovered materials,
for the purpose of showing the true character and relations
of ths noted buccaneer. Having been often requested by
members of the Society, and others, to enlarge the narrative
and to give publicity to it, I have ventured to do so. The
period in which Captain Kidd lived was one of absorbing interest,
both in England and in America. He was a partner with men
who exerted a controlling influence in the affairs of govern-
ment on both sides of the Atlantic, and it is believed that a
true historic investigation of his career will not be without
interest to the reader.
An effort has been made, therefore, in the following pages,
to show why it is that the names of Robin Hood and Captain
Kidd -- the theatre of the exploits of the former having been
on the land, and of the latter on the sea -- have excited so
much interest.
..............................................................................
Robin Hood is an heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor," assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men." *
William "Captain" Kidd (1645-17010 was a Scottish sailor remembered for his trial and execution for piracy after return-
ing from a voyage to the Indian Ocean. **
* - ** summary from wikipedia
