Book Description
The popular heroes of the Middle Ages were semi-mythical figures. The Outlaws of Medieval Legend explores not only the famous Robin Hood and William Wallace, but also some now forgotten rogues such as Gamelyn and Fulke Fitzwarin. Apart from William Wallace, the heroes of the outlaw legend were not men who played a leading role on the historical stage. Nevertheless, this book reveals how they were remembered in tradition for generations. This fascinating book explains the popularity of these figures and how the stories appealed to the common people of the Middle Ages. Keen also explores their origins, spirit and background. In this reissue, the author provides a new introduction to set the book in the context of recent work on these exciting characters.


About the Author
Maurice Keenis Fellow and Tutor at Balliol COllege, Oxford, specializing in Medieval Heraldry. He is the author of England in the Later Middle Ages(Routledge 1975) and numerous other works including Heraldry (1986), Nobles, Knights and Men at Arms in the Middle Ages (1996) and Penguin Social History of Britain (1990).

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The popular heroes of the Middle Ages were semi-mythical figures. The Outlaws of Medieval Legend explores not only the famous Robin Hood and William Wallace, but also some now forgotten rogues such as Gamelyn and Fulke Fitzwarin.

Apart from William Wallace, the heroes of the outlaw legend were not men who played a leading role on the historical stage. Nevertheless, this book reveals how they were remembered in tradition for generations. This fascinating book explains the popularity of these figures and how the stories appealed to the common people of the Middle Ages. Keen also explores their origins, spirit and background.

In this reissue, the author provides a new introduction to set the book in the context of recent work on these exciting characters.