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 and the Potter ballads: Robin Hood meets his match. No more than that is the plot of "Robin Hood and the Tanner" and "Robin Hood and the Ranger", and it is an element of "Robin Hood and the Tinker". Robin Hood and the Potter Robin Hood and the Potter is Child ballad 121, and among the oldest existing tales of Robin Hood. The device of disguising himself as a potter may have been taken from the older legends of Hereward the Wake. Robin Hood demands a toll of a potter (pavage) for crossing a bridge in Sherwood Royal Forest. They fight and the