Robin Hood and the Bishop

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Robin Hood and the Bishop is number 143 in Francis James Child's collection of Child ballads, and describes an adventure of Robin Hood.

[edit] Synopsis

Away from his men, Robin Hood sees a bishop and realizes he will hang if the bishop catches him. He appeals to an old woman for aid. Because he has previously given her a gift of both shoes and socks, she willingly exchanges clothing with him. The bishop catches the woman, believing her to be Robin. Meanwhile Robin returns to his band, but Little John at first does not recognize him, and wants to shoot him as a witch. The misunderstanding out of the way, the band catches the bishop, rob him of five hundred pounds, and force him to say Mass for them.