The Adventures of Robin Hood
Episode 2: The Moneylender
Introductory minstrel song: “Trapped by the Sheriff, stands Robin like a mighty rock; and falls heir to the brave Will Scatlock!”
Regular Cast
Sir Robin of Locksley – Richard Greene
The Sheriff of Nottingham – Alan Wheatley
Edgar – Alfie Bass
Guest Stars
Herbert of Doncaster – Leo McKern
Original air date: 2 October 1955
Screenplay: Ian Larkin and Eric Heath (a pseudonym for Ring Lardner Jr.)
Director: Ralph Smart
Plot: Robin questions the outlaws’ methods and who they choose to rob. He offers suggestions and, as events unfold, is vindicated.
The opening scenes with Leo McKern’s character are played for laughs. Thereafter, the story settles into a solid adventure tale.
This was Leo McKern’s second appearance. Producer Hannah Weinstein assembled a stock company and the main supporting roles were played by about seven regular actors – full use made of false beards and wigs.
A strong point was made in this episode regarding the redistribution of wealth. The line, “The Sheriff protects those who steal from the poor” still resonates.
A note on the set design – a section of the Bayeux Tapestry can be seen in the Sheriff’s hall.
If you like flames, there’s a spectacular display of arson in this episode.
Alan Wheatley (pictured) was a regular in films, on television, the stage and radio. During the Second World War his voice became familiar to listeners on the Continent as he broadcast to occupied Europe.
In 1951 Wheatley played Sherlock Holmes in a series of six televised dramatisations. This was the first series to feature Conan Doyle’s famous character. He achieved another first in 1964 when his character was the first ever killed by a Dalek on screen.
Alan Wheatley’s most prominent role was the Sheriff of Nottingham. He played the sheriff in fifty-four episodes, offering the character a degree of gravitas, eschewing the cartoon-style approach often seen in Robin Hood films.
Standout scene: Robin breaking a sword at the end, offering respect – a genuinely moving scene.
Sword fights – 0. Bow fights/bow skills – 2.
Running total: Sword fights – 1. Bow fights/bow skills – 3.
Fashion, c1215
Isabelle d’Angoulême (pictured) was the second wife of King John. In her own right, she was Countess of Angoulême and Countess of La Marche.
For noble ladies at that time, the fashion was for open necks and edging with a passement at the wrists and neck. In 1215 the girdle was worn at the waistline with the gown draping over it. As the decades rolled on, it became fashionable to highlight the waistline and fully reveal the girdle.
The common girdle image of the thirteenth century, with the girdle sloping down from the top of the hip bone to a point at the front, didn’t become fashionable until c1250.
The Sheriff of Nottingham – Fact or Fiction?
The Sheriff of Nottingham is one of the main antagonists in the Robin Hood legends. Usually, he is in league with Sir Guy of Gisborne or King John. Three villains trying to capture Robin Hood is viewed as overkill, so these antagonists rarely feature together.
🖼️ The Sheriff of Nottingham by Louis Rhead, 1912
In some stories, the Sheriff swaps places with Sir Guy in regard to a lecherous interest in Maid Marian. He’s often depicted as corrupt and cruel – think modern-day tyrants.
What of the medieval reality? The post of Sheriff of Nottingham came into existence in 1449. However, well before that date, from 1068, a High Sheriff of Nottingham, Derbyshire and the Royal Forests existed. This neatly dovetails with the Robin Hood legends.
Placing Maid Marian and Robin Hood during the reigns of King Richard and King John, we discover two possible contenders for the Sheriff of Nottingham in the Robin Hood legends
Contender number one – William de Wendenal. William was High Sheriff from
1191 to 1194, during King Richard’s absence. He is mentioned in the book Chronica magistri Rogeri de Hoveden by the twelfth century chronicler Roger of Howden. However, upon King Richard’s return, William de Wendenal simply disappeared from the historical record.
Contender number two – Philip Marc. In 1207, Marc “requested” 100 pounds from “three men of Newark”. The request was accompanied by a threat – pay up, or be burned to the ground. Sound familiar?
Unsurprisingly, Marc was not popular. Indeed, Item 50 in the Magna Carta specifically mentioned Marc. It insisted on Marc and his brothers’ removal, and that in the future they should “have no bailiwick in England”.
In the Robin Hood legends, the Sheriff of Nottingham is rarely mentioned by name, but in Philip Marc, I think we have a serious contender.
Numerous actors have portrayed the Sheriff of Nottingham in films and on television. This list is far from exhaustive – it merely offers my personal highlights.
Peter Finch in The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men, 1952
Alan Wheatley in the television series The Adventures of Robin Hood, 1955-59
Peter Cushing in Sword of Sherwood Forest, 1960
John Arnatt in A Challenge for Robin Hood, 1967
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