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
Conquests of the Longbow: The Legend of Robin Hood ransom while avoiding the efforts of the Sheriff of Nottingham to capture and hang him and all his men. "Conquests of the Longbow" is notable for the amount of historical and cultural research and detail included in the story's setting and puzzles. The game manual lists twenty-eight volumes in "Conquest"'s bibliography, including "Robin Hood" by J.C. Holt, "The Outlaws of Medieval Legend" by Maurice Keen, and "The White Goddess" by Robert Graves. The manual also includes essays by Marx outlining the history of the legend and the approximate dates at which different characters were incorporated into the Robin Hood legend,