Robin Hood: The Forresters Manuscript (British Library Additional MS 71158)

This is a relatively recently discovered (1993) relatively late (circa 1670s) manuscript of a thorough collection of Robin Hood ballads, probably compiled for intended publication as a rival (in the editor's view a successful one) to the standard printed "Garland" collections of Robin Hood ballads. Although all the ballads included were already known from other sources, several of these are substantially earlier and better versions than those previously known mid-18th century versions. This edition's purpose is to make available an accurate edition of the ballads as they appear in this manuscript , with scholarly notes comparing these versions to the other versions already known.