Robin Hood: Will o' th' Green's Influence

Oftentimes one that starts something has it finished by another, resulting in the loss of remembrance of the originator. This happens in the story Robin Hood, by Paul Creswick, when Will o' th' Green forms the band of renegade greenwood men who take from the rich and give to the poor, while Robin Hood is the one remembered for the efforts.

The creation of the greenwood men starts with a motive of Will, as the story is written, "[Robin] asked many questions concerning Master Will; and learned that he had been outlawed by Henry himself for the accidental slaying of a younger brother in a quarrel years since.  Before that he had been a dutiful and loyal subject, and there were some who vowed that Master Will was as loyal now as many of Henry's barons."

This information is crucial to understanding the motive behind Will's choices concerning the forming of the band, for being outlawed creates a desire for Will to form a new judicial system that fits his ideas of justice and equality.  

Robin's first impression of Will was of civility in his speech, and skill of his bow.  Robin barters with Will to let him "shoot for the freedom of the forest,"and Will agrees, which shows his open mindedness.  However, Will outshoots Robin with his arrows tipped with peacock feathers, and forever captures the loyalty of Robin.  

Will has a habit of entering archery competitions in disguise where he runs into Robin again and saves his life from the wrongful conviction by the judicial system of the authorities.  It is written, "On this occasion [the greenwood men] appeared as friends, however, and welcome ones to boot..."  Will also took a prisoner and in the judging of what to do with him said, "Every one is judged here in fairness."  This shows that the company was not naturally violent, but of a higher order trying to uphold the fairness of justice.

Robin takes all the doings of Will to heart and comes to his aid in battle, which ended with the death of Will.  Will's dying wish is that the company shall, "Be not robbers to any who are poor and who are good fellows - having only their poverty against them.  Be kind to those who help you, but exact toll as heretofore of all who come through the greenwood.  The rich to pay in money, and blood - if it be necessary."

This is the famous mantra that Will lived his life to fulfill and passed onto Robin.  Soon afterwards, Robin is elected to the head of the greenwood men where he practices the teachings of Will throughout his life.  

Yet Will o' th' Green appears to be a lost hero, living on only through his disciple, Robin, after death, and no longer remembered by readers.  After all, Will was the master who started it all, and Robin the pupil who absorbed it.  However the teachings of Will, whether remembered from him or Robin, shall always be contemplated.  It is all in fairness of credit owed that Will shall be remembered.