Introduction
In his Historia Majoris Britanniæ (1521), the eminent Scottish historian John Major (1467-1550) reflected at length on the life of King Richard I. Then all of a sudden he began to speak of Robin Hood (or Robert, as he called him), thus becoming the earliest authority we have for the tradition that Robin was a contemporary of Richard and John.
ABOUT this time it was, as I conceive, that there flourished those most famous robbers Robert Hood,* an Englishman, and Little John, who lay in wait in the woods, but spoiled of their goods those only that were wealthy.* They took the life of no man, unless either he attacked them or offered resistance in defence of his property. Robert supported by his plundering one hundred bowmen, ready fighters every one, with whom four hundred of the strongest would not dare to engage in combat. The feats of this Robert are told in song all over Britain. He would allow no woman to suffer injustice, nor would he spoil the poor, but rather enriched them from the plunder taken from abbots.* The robberies of this man I condemn, but of all thieves he was the prince and the most gentle.
* In John Major’s Latin original, Robertus Hudus.
* See for example Robin Hood and the Debt of Honour.
* Today, Robin’s name is sometimes invoked by champions of the forcible redistribution of property by the State. It is difficult, however, to imagine him entrusting such a mission to the likes of the Sheriff of Nottingham or the Church hierarchy. See also Adam Smith on Fit and Proper Persons, and stories tagged Robin Hood (6).
Précis
In the reign of Henry VIII, Scottish historian John Major stated his belief that the famous outlaw Robin Hood had lived in the days of King Richard I. Major deplored the acts of robbery credited to Robin, but added in mitigation that he never took life wantonly, and was the very soul of chivalry towards women and the poor. (59 / 60 words)
In the reign of Henry VIII, Scottish historian John Major stated his belief that the famous outlaw Robin Hood had lived in the days of King Richard I. Major deplored the acts of robbery credited to Robin, but added in mitigation that he never took life wantonly, and was the very soul of chivalry towards women and the poor.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, because, despite, must, or, otherwise, unless, until.
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Word Games
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Injustice. Man. Offer.
2 Four. Hood. Plunder.
3 His. Time. Wood.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Homophones Find in Think and Speak
In each group below, you will find words that sound the same, but differ in spelling and also in meaning. Compose your own sentences to bring out the differences between them.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
Opposites Find in Think and Speak
Suggest words or phrases that seem opposite in meaning to each of the words below. We have suggested some possible answers; see if you can find any others.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
Variations: 1.instead of opposites, suggest words of similar meaning (synonyms). 2.use a word and its opposite in the same sentence. 3.suggest any 5 opposites formed by adding un-.
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
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