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 in popular culture Allinson in 1904. A 'companion' novel to Egan's text was published by J. H. Stocqueler in 1849 entitled "Maid Marian, the Forest Queen; Being a Companion to "Robin Hood"". The first Robin Hood novel written specifically for children appears to be Stephen Percy's "Tales of Robin Hood" (1840). John B. Marsh's children's book "Robin Hood" appeared in 1865, as did a penny dreadful entitled "Little John and Will Scarlet" (1865). The next major novel written was entitled "The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood" by Howard Pyle in 1883. In T.H. White's novel "The Sword in the Stone" (1938, later incorporated