Sheriff of Nottingham

rdf:langString Sheriff of Nottingham

rdf:langString The Sheriff of Nottingham is the main antagonist in the legend of Robin Hood. He is generally depicted as an unjust tyrant who mistreats the local people of Nottinghamshire, subjecting them to unaffordable taxes. Robin Hood fights against him, stealing from the rich, and the Sheriff, in order to give to the poor; it is this characteristic for which Robin Hood is best known. He is considered the archenemy of Robin Hood, as he is the most recurring enemy of the well-known outlaw. It is not conclusively known exactly whom this character is based on, but it would have been one of (or a composite of multiple of) the real life people who have occupied the post of the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and the Royal Forests. If, as in many versions of the Robin Hood legend, the action of the story is placed during the absence of King Richard I of England during the Third Crusade, the character could be identified with the little-known William de Wendenal. In some versions, the Sheriff is identified with Philip Marc, who held the office of Sheriff during the reign of John, King of England. However, the Sheriff more usually remains either anonymous or pseudonymous.