The Sheriff of Nottingham in classic stories

In the legend of Robin Hood, the Sheriff of Nottingham is the chief official whose task it is to capture outlaws such as Robin Hood, either to ensure the safety of trade routes through Sherwood Forest, or to arrest outlaws for poaching the King's deer. In some stories, the Sheriff of Nottingham is portrayed as having a lecherous desire for Robin Hood's lady, Maid Marian. He is widely considered to be the main villain of the Robin Hood stories, appearing in all of them, alongside such enemies of Robin Hood as Sir Guy of Gisbourne or Prince John (though rarely both).

The legends are generally set far from Nottingham, one explanation being that a short-staffed King James of England placed the Sheriff of Nottingham in charge of law enforcement for much of northern England. This is the case in the film "" in which the Sheriff's influence has grown so great he attempts to take control of the throne.

In some versions, the Sheriff is more a cowardly schemer while his assistant, Sir Guy of Gisbourne is a more competent and determined physical threat to Robin. In other versions the Sheriff answers to Prince John who is the main villain.

It has been suggested that the historical sheriff upon which the stories are based on was William de Wendenal, Roger de Laci, or William de Brewer.

The Sheriff of Nottingham in modern fiction

In "", he is played by Alan Rickman as a dry cynical villain (with the first name of George) who takes people's livestock to try to meet his goals, after Robin Hood takes his horse. A similar characterisation to Rickman's was brought to television by Keith Allen in the BBC series "Robin Hood", from 2006.

In the Disney version of "Robin Hood", the Sheriff is a fat gray wolf with a thick Southern United States dialect, voiced by Alabama-born comedian Pat Buttram, best known for his role as Mr. Haney on "Green Acres". He was originally intended to be a stupid goat.

The Richard Kluger novel "The Sheriff of Nottingham" gives a positive portrayal of the real-life 13th century sheriff Philip Mark as a good man doing a thankless task. (The same sheriff appeared as a ruthless but camp despot in an episode of the "Robin of Sherwood" TV series.)

The usual Sheriff in "Robin of Sherwood" was a cynical opportunist given to violent outbursts, played by Nickolas Grace. His name, Robert de Rainault, comes from Evelyn Charles Vivian's retelling of the legend.

The Sheriff of Nottingham is spoofed as "The Sheriff of Rottingham" (played by Roger Rees) in Mel Brooks' 1993 movie "".

The Sheriff was parodied in the children's television series "Maid Marian and her Merry Men" as a foolish schemer played by Tony Robinson with a goatee.

The Sheriff is more sympathetically portrayed than usual by Robert Shaw in the 1976 film "Robin and Marian".

Actor Russell Crowe will portray a more noble sheriff in the upcoming "Nottingham" by Ridley Scott who disapproves of the actions of his corrupt king, with Robin Hood portrayed as being less virtuous.

The Sheriff of Nottingham is an AI character in the computer game "" who can be challenged in skirmish play.

External links

* Full listings of previous Sheriffs at this Robin Hood website http://www.robinhood.info/
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* Nottingham City Council page on the sheriff's office [http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/sitemap/council_government_and_democracy/cs_nottingham_s_council_house/sheriffofnottingham.htm here]
* A list of historical sheriffs can be seen on a Robin Hood research site [http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/kirk6479/mycustompage0035.htm here]