The legend of Robin Hood, the outlaw who stole from the rich to give to the poor, first appeared in written form in the late 14th century, likely rooted in older oral traditions. While the stories are often set in the time of Richard the Lionheart, their origins may lie in the chaotic early 14th century, when criminal gangs like the Coterels and Folvilles roamed England’s East Midlands. These real-life outlaws, operating in a lawless era, share striking parallels with the Robin Hood myth, though their motives were far from altruistic. This post explores the historical context, activities, and legacy of these gangs, shedding light on their possible influence on the Robin Hood legend.
The Wild East: Gangs in the East Midlands
In the early 14th century, the East Midlands—encompassing Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire—were plagued by the Coterel and Folville gangs, named after the families that led them. These groups are linked to the Robin Hood legend not only by modern historians but also by contemporary sources. William Langland’s late 14th-century poem Piers Plowman mentions both Robin Hood and the Folvilles, portraying the latter as enforcers of their own brand of “justice” against corrupt figures.
Unlike the romanticized outlaws of folklore, the Coterels and Folvilles were ruthless. They engaged in robbery, poaching, kidnapping, murder, and extortion, operating like small armies with military training and heavy armament. Far from fighting corruption, they exploited it, thriving in a region where dense forests and rugged terrain provided perfect cover.
Historical Context: A Lawless Era
The gangs emerged during a period of instability under Edward II (1307–1327) and the early reign of Edward III. Edward II was widely seen as a weak ruler, overly reliant on favorites like the Despensers, which undermined law and justice. His failures in wars against the Welsh and Scots left aristocratic fighters demoralized and demobilized, while his deposition by Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer in 1327, in favor of the young Edward III, deepened the sense of chaos.
The East Midlands, dominated by the vast Sherwood Forest and the caves and moors of the Peak District, became a haven for outlaws. Sherwood Forest, spanning 150 square miles in the 14th century, allowed criminals to strike and vanish with ease. The High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire struggled to maintain order, relying on local landowners and poorly equipped forces, leaving a vacuum that gangs exploited.
Noble Outlaws: The Gangs’ Social Status
The Coterels and Folvilles were not common criminals but members of the gentry and minor aristocracy. The Folvilles, based in Ashby Folville, Leicestershire, were a prominent family. Their leader, Eustace Folville, was the son of Sir John Folville, a respected figure who served as an MP and Justice for Leicestershire. Similarly, the Coterels included figures like Sir William Aune, a former constable and castle keeper, and Oliver Ingham, who later became seneschal of Gascony.
This social status gave the gangs access to resources, networks, and military skills. They targeted large estates, such as the Duchy of Lancaster’s lands, which the Coterels attacked in 1328. Jury records from 1331–1332 detail their movements across the Peak District and North Nottinghamshire, supported by local landowners like Sir Robert Tuchet and even church institutions, such as the canons of Lichfield.
Membership and Motives
The gangs attracted members for various reasons, none resembling Robin Hood’s altruism. Some were drawn by the thrill of violence or the promise of wealth, while others had specific grievances. Roger le Sauvage joined the Coterels to pay off debts, and William Aune sought income after losing public offices. Revenge was a common motive, as seen in the 1326 murder of Robert Bellers, a baron investigating the Folville brothers’ associate, Ralph le Zouche.
The gangs’ early successes, including attacks on the Despensers’ manors and securing pardons from Roger Mortimer, bolstered their reputation. They escalated to ransom, robbery, and murder, targeting Lancastrian estates and killing figures like Sir William Knyveton in 1330. The Folvilles were notorious for attacking travelers, while the Coterels extorted payments through threats and official-style letters, exploiting the absence of royal authority.
Some of their crimes were “contract” work. In 1328, the Coterels attacked Bakewell Church’s vicar on behalf of a disgraced former clerk, Robert Bernard. The Folvilles were hired by Sempringham Priory and Haverholm Abbey to destroy a rival’s water mill, showing how their violence served local power struggles.
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The Crackdown
The gangs’ audacity peaked in January 1332 with the kidnapping of Sir Richard de Willoughby, a king’s bench judge investigating regional crime. Extorting 1,300 marks from him, with the spoils shared among the Coterels, Folvilles, and their backers, provoked a strong response. Edward III, now asserting his authority, dispatched a Trailbaston commission to restore order. Though many gang members escaped arrest due to a tip-off, hearings in 1333 led to indictments.
Some surrendered for leniency, while others leveraged their networks for pardons or military service. Nicholas Coterel became bailiff of the High Peak, and both Coterels and Folvilles served in Edward III’s campaigns in Scotland and France, redirecting their martial skills to royal causes.
Real Robin Hoods: Symbols of Resistance
Why were the Folvilles celebrated as heroes in Piers Plowman? While they may have shared their spoils to gain local compliance, their popularity likely stemmed from widespread resentment of a corrupt legal system. Contemporary “protest” literature, like The Outlaw’s Song of Trailbaston, reflects this sentiment. Chronicler Henry Knighton praised the Folvilles’ murder of Bellers and excused their kidnapping of Willoughby, criticizing the judge for “selling the law like cattle.”
Though not direct inspirations for Robin Hood, the Coterels and Folvilles were part of a broader outlaw culture that shaped the legend. Their exploits in the lawless East Midlands, set against a backdrop of weak governance and local resistance, fueled tales of noble outlaws challenging authority.
Conclusion
The Coterel and Folville gangs, operating in the turbulent early 14th century, embody the gritty reality behind the Robin Hood myth. Far from altruistic heroes, they were opportunistic gentry exploiting a chaotic era for profit and power. Yet, their defiance of a flawed system resonated with contemporaries, contributing to the folklore of outlaws as symbols of resistance. The East Midlands, with its vast forests and rugged terrain, provided the perfect stage for their crimes—and the enduring legend of Robin Hood.
