The History of Robin Hood - Southwell Library - Adult Learning

Southwell Library, Southwell

Date	4 November - 9 December 2026
Sessions	Wednesdays: 2:45pm - 3:45pm
No. sessions	5
Venue	Southwell Library, Southwell View venue details
For ages	19+
Group size	5 - 10
Cost	FREE - £20

About this course

This course intends to explore the history of the Robin Hood legend. It examines how both the character of Robin Hood and the legend itself have evolved through the centuries, adapting and being adapted by different societal and cultural groups. The evolving legend is explored through diverse sources (Shakespeare and Frankie Howard to name two!) whilst moving towards the reasons why the legend continues to resonate with people worldwide after almost 900 years.

Throughout the course, we will cover the national and international events and attitudes which have framed legend since medieval times. You will develop a greater understanding of the historical forces which have fashioned the Robin Hood legend.

No experience or previous knowledge of Robin Hood is required to join this course, just an interest in the legend.

No resources are required for this course; however, you may find it useful to bring a notepad and pen to take notes.

Please note there will be no session on 18/11/2026

Booking your place and fee information

Funding and Fees

If you receive certain benefits, you may be able to take the course for free.
If money is stopping you from enrolling, please visit our funding page to see what help is available.

Living in England

To book and join one of our courses, you must live in England permanently and either:

Live inside the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) area (Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire)

Live outside the devolved areas listed below

You cannot enrol if you live in these devolved areas:

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
North East Combined Authority
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
Tees Valley Combined Authority
West Midlands Combined Authority
West of England Combined Authority
West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
Hull and East Yorkshire
Greater Lincolnshire
Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority
Cornwall Council
Lancashire Combined County Authority
Buckinghamshire Council

Residency Requirements (Additional Information)

If you live in the UK on a visa, we’ll need evidence of your visa to confirm funding. You can upload this when applying, and you’ll need to complete a short questionnaire.

Some exceptions include:

Your visa must last until after your course ends.
Asylum seekers must have lived in the UK for at least 6 months while their claim is being processed.
You are supported by your local authority under Section 23C or 23CA of the Children Act 1989, or under the Care Act 2014.

Anyone who does not meet the funding criteria would need to pay full course fees.