Rogues of Sherwood Forest

Many years after the death of Robin Hood, his son, Robin, Earl of Huntington, is one of the most respected and admired noblemen at King John's court. However, his fame, popularity and riches make him an enemy of greedy King John who never forgave Robin's father for the humiliation suffered during King Richard the Lionheart's reign. Therefore, a vengeful and envious King John plans to have Robin murdered during a royal jousting event. When this assassination plot fails, King John declares Robin an outlaw under some phony charges and orders his arrest. A sympathetic ward of King John, young and beautiful Lady Marianne De Beaudray, helps Robin escape prison. Robin decides to fall in his father's footsteps and take refuge in Sherwood Forest where he strikes an outlaw's camp. There he recruits common people who are tired of King John's oppressive rule and exorbitant taxes. Robin also recruits his father's old friends, now more aged but still eager to fight against an unjust king. Moreover, Robin gets wind of King John's plans to import Flemish mercenary troops and pay them high wages. This would enable him to extend his ruthless rule over other rich English nobles whose wealth, power and vast lands he covets for himself. These nobles, warned by Robin about King John's plans, join Robin's cause. Nevertheless, King John is not to be underestimated. He is cunning and cruel and employs Flemish mercenaries who are willing to kill anyone at King John's command. When King John's men ambush and kill a few rival nobles, the murders are officially blamed on Robin. In reply, Robin and his outlaws frustrate King John's tax collection runs, disturb public executions of innocent people and attack his troops and officials wherever and whenever they can. If defeated, King John faces a fate worse than death. He can be forced by all nobles to sign an official document, a Magna Carta, forever limiting the king's powers. —nufs68