The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood first published by Scribner's in 1883, and met with immediate success, ushering in a new era of Robin Hood stories. It helped solidify the image of a heroic Robin Hood, which had begun in earlier works such as Walter Scott's 1819 novel "Ivanhoe". In Pyle's wake, Robin Hood has become a staunch philanthropist protecting innocents against increasingly aggressive villains. Along with the publication of the Child Ballads by Francis James Child, which included most of the surviving Robin Hood ballads, Pyle's novel helped increase the popularity of the Robin Hood legend in the United States. "The Merry Adventures" also had
Friar Tuck skilled with a sword. He was also quick to quarrel with anyone who slighted him, deprived him of his food or made fun of his girth. In the film "The Bandit of Sherwood Forest" (1946) he was portrayed by Edgar Buchanan. In the film "The Prince of Thieves" (1948) he was portrayed by Alan Mowbray. In the film "Rogues of Sherwood Forest" (1950) he was portrayed by Billy House. In the late 1950s British television series "The Adventures of Robin Hood," he was played by Alexander Gauge as a fat friar a tad too devoted to good eating. He is