Robin Hood Dobson and Taylor wrote, 'More generally the Robin of the broadsides is a much less tragic, less heroic and in the last resort less mature figure than his medieval predecessor'. In most of the broadside ballads Robin Hood remains a plebeian figure, a notable exception being Martin Parker's attempt at an overall life of Robin Hood, A True Tale of Robin Hood, which also emphasises the theme of Robin Hood's generosity to the poor more than the broadsheet ballads do in general. The 17th century introduced the minstrel Alan-a-Dale. He first appeared in a 17th-century broadside ballad, and unlike many
Robin Hood Rescuing Will Stutly rouse up, and the sheriff and his men flee, and Robin's men go back to Sherwood. The entire tale was used by Howard Pyle in his "Merry Adventures of Robin Hood", often with no more changes than rendering the verse as prose. Robin Hood Rescuing Will Stutly Robin Hood Rescuing Will Stutly is Child ballad 141, about Robin Hood. Robin Hood is brought news that the Sheriff of Nottingham surprised Will Stutely, and though he killed two of the Sheriff's men, he was captured. They set out to rescue him, confirm the story from a palmer, and arrive as he