The birthplace of Robin Hood

The birthplace of Robin Hood

In 1637 John Harrison visited Loxley while compiling his history of Sheffield. He records that a local man pointed out to him a few stones lying in a field a little outside the village. These, Harrison was told, were the ruins of the cottage where Robin Hood had been born. No doubt Harrison was telling the truth, but there is no way of knowing if the local man was passing on a genuine tradition dating back to the middle ages or pulling Harrison’s leg. By this date the Locksley birthplace of Robin Hood had become famous so the local inhabitants may have simply invented the fact that the outlaw had been born in the ruined cottage for the benefit of visitors. 

 

Loxley

Ancient water troughs in the Yorkshire village of Loxley catch natural spring water. Robin Hood is said to have been born in a cottage, now demolished, near this spring.