Medieval crime ranged from minor infractions like petty theft to serious felonies such as treason and murder. Punishments were typically harsh and highly public, designed both to penalize offenders and deter others. Before its abolition in 1215, Trial by Ordeal subjected the accused to painful or dangerous tests to determine guilt or innocence. One such test, the trial by cold water, involved submerging the accused—sinking indicated innocence, while floating was a sign of guilt. More severe crimes were met with public executions or mutilations, with hanging being the standard punishment for thieves and murderers. Lesser offenses often resulted in penalties like branding or the amputation of body parts, reinforcing discipline and deterring future crimes.
Following the devastation caused by the Black Death (1347-1351), England faced a severe labor shortage. In response, the government introduced the Statute of Labourers (1351), which fixed wages at pre-plague levels and restricted workers from seeking better employment opportunities. The law aimed to maintain the existing social hierarchy but met widespread resistance and proved difficult to enforce. To reinforce law and order, authorities implemented the Frankpledge System, which required small community groups (known as tithings) to ensure their members upheld the law collectively. If one person committed a crime, their tithing was responsible for turning them over to authorities. This system reinforced social accountability.
By the late 15th century, increasing unemployment led to heightened concerns over social order. The Vagabonds and Beggars Act of 1494 imposed harsh punishments on vagrants, requiring them to endure three days and nights in the stocks with minimal food before being sent back to their place of origin. Rather than addressing the root causes of poverty, this law effectively criminalized homelessness and joblessness and further marginalized the poor.
The Robin Hood stories embody widespread resentment toward medieval law. Robin is depicted not as a common criminal but as a defender of the oppressed, defying laws designed to protect the aristocracy. His enemy, the Sheriff of Nottingham, symbolizes a corrupt legal system that punishes the poor while safeguarding the wealthy. Many real-life outlaws in medieval England were not inherently criminals but were forced into illegal actions due to economic hardship and restrictive laws. The lasting popularity of Robin Hood highlights universal themes of resistance against oppression and the conflict between the ruling elite and the common people.
The Robin Hood stories also represent the classism of society at the time by emphasizing the hypothetical situation in which the roles and power dynamics were reversed, and a powerful figure (Robin Hood) disproportionately helped the poor at the expense of the rich. He helps them through controversial and outlawed methods making him a vigilante.
Additionally, the choice to make him a vigilante over a lawyer, a regular social activist or any other form of hero may have been influenced by corruption and the laws of his time. If Robin Hood existed today, there would be controversy over his methods. Let’s look at the latest most similar real-life example of Robin Hood (A character that committed horrendous crimes yet has millions of Americans’ sympathy): Luigi Mangione. Luigi recently murdered the CEO of United Healthcare for disagreement with the morals that they operate by. While many people disagree with the morals of how insurance companies operate, it is neither reasonable nor moral to go to that extent, but when Luigi did it, he was slapped with charges including terrorism. Due to the absence of such laws in medieval times, it may have been more socially and legally acceptable to “take matters into their own hands”. Additionally, the absence of developed laws may have led to the acceptance of such vigilante actions due to scarce enforcement of accountability for upper-class citizens (like the sheriff) despite the existence of tithings. This would make it easier for the sheriff or any others to commit white-collar crimes (possibly more) without getting caught and when justice isn’t served people will serve it themselves. And just like that Robin Hood was created.
Another way in which Robin Hood stories challenge laws and the societal norms of the time is that the stories explore a taboo topic in that the upper class should be kept in check by the lower class. The stories serve as a reminder to the people that they have the power to make a difference and it’s not all about the money.