Robin Hood and The
Sheriff of Nottingham
Warbands for Blood Eagle
The legend of Robin Hood has been interpreted in many
different ways in many different books, films, TV series, etc.
All versions are set after the Norman Conquest of Britain, and
hence technically a little later than the timeframe covered by
the Blood Eagle rules, but nevertheless these rules lend
themselves quite well to fighting out some of the famous
skirmishes between Robin’s Merry Men and the Sheriff's
thugs.
Robin Hood is of course the central figure of these legends. In
all of them, he is a competent swordsman but his skill with a
bow is unequalled throughout the land. In some versions of
the story he carries is a legendary or magical sword but in most
cases he relies on skill, daring and luck.
Maid Marian, Robin’s one true love, is sometimes cast as
“window dressing” but is a far more interesting character when
she fights by his side. Also by Robin’s side in most of his
adventures are, of course, Little John, Friar Tuck, Will Scarlett
and Allan-a-Dale. Little John is the biggest and strongest; few
can stand against him and his quarterstaff. Tuck is a true holy
man of the people, outcast from the corrupt mainstream
church; in our take on the legends he is a competent fighter but
his main contribution to Robin’s cause is the working of a few
Miracles when they are most needed. Scarlett is a bit hot-
different ways in many different books, films, TV series, etc.
All versions are set after the Norman Conquest of Britain, and
hence technically a little later than the timeframe covered by
the Blood Eagle rules, but nevertheless these rules lend
themselves quite well to fighting out some of the famous
skirmishes between Robin’s Merry Men and the Sheriff's
thugs.
Robin Hood is of course the central figure of these legends. In
all of them, he is a competent swordsman but his skill with a
bow is unequalled throughout the land. In some versions of
the story he carries is a legendary or magical sword but in most
cases he relies on skill, daring and luck.
Maid Marian, Robin’s one true love, is sometimes cast as
“window dressing” but is a far more interesting character when
she fights by his side. Also by Robin’s side in most of his
adventures are, of course, Little John, Friar Tuck, Will Scarlett
and Allan-a-Dale. Little John is the biggest and strongest; few
can stand against him and his quarterstaff. Tuck is a true holy
man of the people, outcast from the corrupt mainstream
church; in our take on the legends he is a competent fighter but
his main contribution to Robin’s cause is the working of a few
Miracles when they are most needed. Scarlett is a bit hot-
headed but a superb swordsman, probably the best among the
Merry Men, and often fights with two blades. Allan-a-Dale is
the band’s minstrel, as quick with a witty riposte as he is with
a goose-feathered shaft. The rest of the Merry Men (and
Women!) are a rather motley collection of outlaws with
varying skills and generally not much equipment. However,
many of them are competent bow shots which, together with
their Greenwood skills, helps them stay ahead of their foe.
The Sheriff himself is a schemer who prefers to avoid personal
combat but is no coward when it proves necessary to take the
field himself. He and his second in command, Sir Guy of
Gisborne, are both rich and thus have access to top-notch
weapons and armour. Their personal guards also tend to be
well equipped. However, their foot soldiers are less fortunate
and often end up being treated as pure arrow-fodder. Some are
moderately competent but most are levy troops who would far
rather be somewhere – anywhere – else.
Merry Men, and often fights with two blades. Allan-a-Dale is
the band’s minstrel, as quick with a witty riposte as he is with
a goose-feathered shaft. The rest of the Merry Men (and
Women!) are a rather motley collection of outlaws with
varying skills and generally not much equipment. However,
many of them are competent bow shots which, together with
their Greenwood skills, helps them stay ahead of their foe.
The Sheriff himself is a schemer who prefers to avoid personal
combat but is no coward when it proves necessary to take the
field himself. He and his second in command, Sir Guy of
Gisborne, are both rich and thus have access to top-notch
weapons and armour. Their personal guards also tend to be
well equipped. However, their foot soldiers are less fortunate
and often end up being treated as pure arrow-fodder. Some are
moderately competent but most are levy troops who would far
rather be somewhere – anywhere – else.
