Roger Godberd

Roger Godberd ( 13th century) was an English outlaw who has been suggested as a possible historical basis for the legend of Robin Hood. Godberd's criminal history is often compared with the Robin Hood legend since some minor details align with the famous story.

Godberd lived during the 13th century around the Leicestershire area and traveled throughout England as an outlaw committing crimes with a group of bandits. Roger lived in a time when there was criticism towards King Henry III and King Edward I for leaving the royal finances in disarray and taxing the townspeople, which made many commoners unhappy. Henry III's reign has been associated with stories of outlawry and is seen as a more plausible setting for the ballads of Robin Hood. Henry III's reign led to the Second Barons' War and the seizure of power by Simon de Montfort, whom Godberd served under until Simon was killed in battle in 1265.

Godberd has been thought to be Robin Hood for various reasons, including perceived similarities between the battles they fought in and the ways they committed their crimes. The nickname or surname 'Robinhood' appeared before the end of the 13th century, with the name 'Hood' later becoming common and combined with names like Robert Hood. The stories of Robin Hood themselves provide little detail connecting them with real-life people or events. This does not mean that the stories were not based on a real person, but rather that whoever was the chief inspiration for Robin Hood was likely not a person of standing in the public eye.

Life Roger Godberd was born at the beginning of the 1230s and died in the early 1290s at around 60 years of age. He had at least two brothers named William and Geoffrey but not much is recorded about the two. This eventually led to the decay of feudal rights and saw an increase in unhappiness with the people living under the king. Godberd served under Simon de Montfort, the 6th Earl of Leicester, as well as two other barons. Simon de Montfort had captured Henry III but soon was faced with trouble when Simon's young followers began to form rifts due to disputes over ransoms of captured people. Simon de Montfort was later killed in the Battle of Evesham on 4 August 1265 by Edward I for going against the King of England. Later in 1265, Godberd was outlawed for fighting against Henry III in this battle. Nearly two centuries later, in about 1446, Walter Bower claimed that Robin Hood also became an outlaw as a result of this battle. This has led some to speculate that there may have been a connection between Robin Hood and Roger Godberd.

Godberd ultimately evaded capture but continued to behave in a lawless manner. Although he was still committing crimes, he along with five other men were summoned to court and granted safe conduct so long as they came within the next eight days; this was on 14 November. This was to ‘treat of peace for themselves and those in their company'. Reginald de Grey was the Sheriff of Nottingham at this time. Godberd was captured on the grounds of Rufford Abbey, and from there taken to Nottingham Castle, but managed to escape. A prominent local knight named Richard Foliot helped Godberd and his fellow fugitives and protected them from the Sheriff.

In the 1270s Godberd was leading a band of outlaws through many counties into Wiltshire causing all sorts of commotion. Some of the crimes that he and his group of outlaws were accused of committing include burglaries, murders, arson, and robberies.

Godberd was eventually captured and sent to jail. He was kept in three different prisons over three years while awaiting his trial, which took place at the Tower of London and at which he was pardoned upon the return of Edward I from the Ninth Crusade. He returned to his farm and lived there until his death. However, according to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Godberd died in Newgate Prison in 1276.