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The Outlaws of Medieval Legend
This fascinating book explains the popularity of the likes of Robin Hood and William Wallace, and many other lesser known rogues, and how their stories appealed to the common people of the Middle Ages.
280 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1961
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175 people want to read
About the author
Maurice Keen
19 books12 followersMaurice Hugh Keen OBE (30 October 1933 – 11 September 2012) was a British historian specializing in the Middle Ages. His father had been the Oxford University head of finance ('Keeper of the University Chest') and a Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford, and after schooling at Winchester College, Maurice became an undergraduate there in 1954. He was a contemporary and lifelong friend of Tom Bingham, later the Senior Law Lord, as well as of the military historian, Sir John Keegan, whose sister Mary he married.
Keen's first success came with the writing of The Outlaws of Medieval Legend while still a Junior Research Fellow at The Queen's College, Oxford, 1957–1961. He was elected a tutorial Fellow of Balliol in 1961, retaining his fellowship until his retirement in 2000, when he was elected a Fellow Emeritus. He also served as Junior Dean (1963–68), Tutor for Admissions (1974–1978), and Vice-Master (1980–83).
In 1984, Keen won the Wolfson History Prize for his book Chivalry. The book redefined in several ways the concept of chivalry, underlining the military aspect of it.
Keen was elected a Fellow of the British Academy, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
Also known as M.H. Keen
Keen's first success came with the writing of The Outlaws of Medieval Legend while still a Junior Research Fellow at The Queen's College, Oxford, 1957–1961. He was elected a tutorial Fellow of Balliol in 1961, retaining his fellowship until his retirement in 2000, when he was elected a Fellow Emeritus. He also served as Junior Dean (1963–68), Tutor for Admissions (1974–1978), and Vice-Master (1980–83).
In 1984, Keen won the Wolfson History Prize for his book Chivalry. The book redefined in several ways the concept of chivalry, underlining the military aspect of it.
Keen was elected a Fellow of the British Academy, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
Also known as M.H. Keen
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 12, 2008
This book delves into the many outlaw characters of Medieval Britain, historical, semi-historical and those of so called myth that may have contributed to the Robin Hood legend. Hereward, Fulk Fitzwain, Eustace the Monk, William Wallace, and Gamelyn are all covered with at least one chapter dedicated to each. Outlaws of Medieval Legend also looks into the possibility of Robin Hood being a real living person, even if their reality differed from that of the Robin Hood Stories. Besides that it explores the sociological reasons that the Robin Hood and other British outlaw legends and historical figures were so popular during the middle ages and continue to be so to this day. I highly recomend this book to anyone with any sort of interest in the subject matter.
Personally I always liked to think of Robin Hood as a just and righteous Anglo Saxon Thegn that had lost everything after the Normans took over England in 1066 and was fighting a guerella war against the oppressive Normans. I also always liked the idea of Robin Hood being a heathen that would rob the corrupt greedy Christian church and political figures.
Personally I always liked to think of Robin Hood as a just and righteous Anglo Saxon Thegn that had lost everything after the Normans took over England in 1066 and was fighting a guerella war against the oppressive Normans. I also always liked the idea of Robin Hood being a heathen that would rob the corrupt greedy Christian church and political figures.
April 14, 2009
This book was not what I expected. I expected to read the medieval tales of the robbers with minimal discussion. Instead, the book was largely discussion with summaries and excerpts from the tales.
The discussion was very good. Keen identified several patterns in the tales and made a good central argument of literature reflecting class struggles. The introduction to the second edition changes the thesis by stating the intended audience was the upper-lower class and the lower-middle class rather than the previously believed lower class.
One of the most interesting observations was that the audiences glorified the robbers, rather than those who rose against the existing order and sought to use violence to bring about change. This observation led to a discussion that those who stood up on principle universally lost...their lives. Conversely, a large number of the robbers adapted to the system and succeeded...at least, that is how their epics ended. The moral for the audience was to give up ideals of a utopia and craft out your resistance by adapting to the system and using it to your advantage.
The discussion was very good. Keen identified several patterns in the tales and made a good central argument of literature reflecting class struggles. The introduction to the second edition changes the thesis by stating the intended audience was the upper-lower class and the lower-middle class rather than the previously believed lower class.
One of the most interesting observations was that the audiences glorified the robbers, rather than those who rose against the existing order and sought to use violence to bring about change. This observation led to a discussion that those who stood up on principle universally lost...their lives. Conversely, a large number of the robbers adapted to the system and succeeded...at least, that is how their epics ended. The moral for the audience was to give up ideals of a utopia and craft out your resistance by adapting to the system and using it to your advantage.
May 7, 2011
Even though Keen's book is not the most recent book on the topic, he still has some very good things to say. This edition republishes all his original material with a new introduction, explaining how some of his ideas have changed due to recent scholarship. He has a chapter on outlaw ballads as an expression of peasant discontent, but has stated that he may have overstretched his conclusions. However, his book is still good to read in order to gain a broad understanding of English outlaws, he focuses on Robin Hood, but mentioned several other outlaw poems as well. For me personally this was the first time I read an overview of the life of Hereward and the tales of Gamelyn. I've heard of William Wallace, but didn't really know anything about him. Keen also has a chapter on Eustace the Monk, one of the outlaws who can be tracked down and pinpointed to exact dates.
His chapters on Robin Hood outline the fictional character and overview a few of the ballads. He notes how tough it is to try and find a historical Robin, and states that it may never be done. A few candidates have been put forward but they are all on shaky foundations and speculations. We know the rough century/century and a half in which the stories first began, so the original figure or figures who inspired them must have lived in the same period. Overall a good book if a little outdated by more recent scholarship.
His chapters on Robin Hood outline the fictional character and overview a few of the ballads. He notes how tough it is to try and find a historical Robin, and states that it may never be done. A few candidates have been put forward but they are all on shaky foundations and speculations. We know the rough century/century and a half in which the stories first began, so the original figure or figures who inspired them must have lived in the same period. Overall a good book if a little outdated by more recent scholarship.
April 5, 2025
Fascinating picture of life in Medieval times. For example (p.92), regarding the Tale of Gamelyn:
“It is the author's assumption that knights and abbots and officers of the law are normally public enemies and that the only champions of justice are those who are, officially, criminals. This is the assumption of all the outlaw legends that the true relationship between law and justice was somehow, by the wickedness of men, become reversed, and in this topsy-turvy world law has become the façade of oppression and justice can only be found outside it.”
More generally: The wildness of their life and the violence of their deeds cannot therefore be made a reproach to the outlaws… When they shed the blood of their enemies, they were performing meritorious acts of retributive justice. Hence the endless tale of death and bloodshed which runs through the ballads…
The leaders of the revolts of 1381 and 1450 made their attack on particular men who were guilty of oppression, and not on the social system as a whole. (168)
“It is the author's assumption that knights and abbots and officers of the law are normally public enemies and that the only champions of justice are those who are, officially, criminals. This is the assumption of all the outlaw legends that the true relationship between law and justice was somehow, by the wickedness of men, become reversed, and in this topsy-turvy world law has become the façade of oppression and justice can only be found outside it.”
More generally: The wildness of their life and the violence of their deeds cannot therefore be made a reproach to the outlaws… When they shed the blood of their enemies, they were performing meritorious acts of retributive justice. Hence the endless tale of death and bloodshed which runs through the ballads…
The leaders of the revolts of 1381 and 1450 made their attack on particular men who were guilty of oppression, and not on the social system as a whole. (168)
December 16, 2018
Very interesting introduction to the second edition of this book - discussing the historiography surrounding the legend of Robin Hood.
August 10, 2011
Interesting read. Great book for a beginner who isn't yet well invested in medieval outlaws. The introduction did put me off a little, where he recants some of his conclusions still existing in the current editions. But it also makes me respect the writer who can unashamedly change his opinion and point out his own err in reasoning. I think it also makes the book more informative. I appreciate seeing what the current view is, and why, but it is also immensley helpful to have other (even if they are erronous) views of a subject so you can make your own conclusions.
The book does mostly focus on Robin Hood, and the other outlaws seem to be brought in to put into context and further shed light on the penumbra of the Robin Hood history and myth.
The book does mostly focus on Robin Hood, and the other outlaws seem to be brought in to put into context and further shed light on the penumbra of the Robin Hood history and myth.
October 6, 2008
While this book was interesting, I was a bit put off from the first by the preface. The author states that he appologizes for any errors their may be in the text, blames any mistakes on himself, and admits that the book was not the result of extensive academic research. He seems to know his stuff, but it is difficult to completely trust him after that. I also wish that he had translated the verse quotes from the Old English in which it was originally written. I understood a lot of it, but there were some things that I could not figure out because of the arcaic spelling. Overall, the book was interesting, although unneccessarily long in some areas.
September 7, 2007
got from widener. boring. even the way medieval ballads are recounted is boring.
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June 26, 2010The Outlaws of Medieval Legend by Maurice Keen (2001)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews