Robin Hood. Who was he? A hero and champion of the downtrodden peasant-farmer? Or just another thuggish outlaw fleeing justice to take a precarious refuge in the sprawling forests that still covered medieval England? Robin Hood was a nom de guerre adopted by a nobleman forced from his patrimonial estates by the dubious machinations of his enemies, who bent the law to gain his estate for themselves. The now-dispossessed Robin lived for years as an outlaw in Sherwood Forest, attaching to himself a following of other fugitives and assorted outcasts: these became Robin's 'merry men' and remained devoted to him, rendering him loyal service.Robin's skill with the longbow quickly became legendary even in his own lifetime: many regarded him as the best English archer of his generation. Robin repeatedly demonstrated his skill in his frequent skirmishes with the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and his minions, and by winning archery tournaments across the country. Robin was reprieved from his sylvan backwater and restored to title and lands by King Richard the Lionheart, who then took Robin into his service abroad. After the death of King Richard, Robin (now Earl of Huntingdon) returned to England, only to fall afoul of the wicked King John.