Robin Hood and Sir Richard of the Lea (Campfire Story)

One day, the MERRY MEN stopped a knight riding through Sherwood Forest, and brought him to Robin Hood for dinner, the way they did with all rich travelers. And afterward, the travelers always paid for their dinner. Sometimes quite a lot.

But this knight was different. He rode with his head hanging down. His clothes were plain and worn. And he was the saddest man they had ever seen.

So ROBIN HOOD gave him a great feast, roast venison and bread and ale. And afterward Robin said, 'Now, Sir Knight. How much money do you have with you?'

'Ten shillings,' said the knight. 'That's all I have in the world.'

So Little John looked in his bags. And it was true. Ten shillings. CLINK.

'Then what's wrong?' asked Robin. 'Why are you so sad?'

And the knight told them. His name was Sir Richard of the Lea. His son had fought in a tournament, a jousting match, and by accident he had killed another knight. And to save his son, Sir Richard had to pay a huge fine. So he borrowed four hundred pounds from the Prior of Emmet, a rich, greedy churchman. And he'd promised his castle and all his lands in return, if he couldn't pay it back. And the money was due in a few days. And he didn't have it.

'And the Prior knows I can't pay,' said Sir Richard. 'He's counting on it. In a few days, he'll take my home, and my lands, and everything.'

And Robin Hood looked at his Merry Men. And they looked back at him. And Robin said, 'Little John. Go and get four hundred pounds from the treasure.'

CLINK! CLINK! Little John counted it out into a bag. Four hundred pounds.

'And a knight can't go to the Prior dressed like that,' said Robin. 'Give him some good cloth for new clothes.'

So Little John measured out cloth from their store. And instead of measuring with a yardstick, he measured it with his bow. Which was a great deal longer than a yard. And he gave Sir Richard a fine horse, too. MERRY MEN!

Sir Richard had tears in his eyes. 'I'll pay you back,' he said. 'In one year. I swear it.'

So Sir Richard rode to the Prior. But first, he put his old, worn clothes back on. And he walked in looking poor and sad. And the Prior was sitting at a great dinner with his friends, and he rubbed his hands together. 'Well, Sir Knight? Do you have my money?'

'Not one penny,' said Sir Richard, sadly. 'Please, give me a little more time.'

'Not one day,' said the Prior, grinning. 'Your castle and your lands are mine.'

And then Sir Richard threw the bag of gold down on the table. CLINK! 'There's your four hundred pounds,' he said. 'Every penny. Count it.' And he walked out, and left the Prior sitting there with his mouth open.

A year went by. And on the very day, Sir Richard came riding back into Sherwood. With the four hundred pounds, and a gift of a hundred fine bows and a hundred sheaves of arrows for the Merry Men.

But Robin Hood wouldn't take the money. 'Just this morning,' he said, 'we stopped a rich bishop riding through the forest, and he paid us exactly four hundred pounds for his dinner. So I've already been paid back. Keep it, Sir Richard. But we'll gladly take the bows.' MERRY MEN!

And Sir Richard of the Lea was Robin Hood's friend for the rest of his life. And when Robin needed help, years later, it was Sir Richard who opened his castle gates to him. Because he never forgot who had helped him when he had nothing.