The Shooting Match at Nottingham Town

           ThenthesheriffwasverywrothbecauseofthisfailuretotakejollyRobin,foritcametohisears,asillnewsalwaysdoes,thatthepeoplelaughedathimandmadeajestofhisthinkingtoserveawarrantuponsuchaoneastheboldoutlaw.Andamanhatesnothingsomuchasbeingmadeajestof;sohesaid:"OurgraciouslordandsovereignKinghimselfshallknowofthis,andhowhislawsarepervertedanddespisedbythisbandofrebeloutlaws.AsforyontraitorTinker,himwillIhang,ifIcatchhim,upontheveryhighestgallowstreeinallNottinghamshire."

           ThenhebadeallhisservantsandretainerstomakereadytogotoLondonTown,toseeandspeakwiththeKing.

           AtthistherewasbustlingattheSheriff’scastle,andmenranhitherandthitheruponthisbusinessanduponthat,whiletheforgefiresofNottinghamglowedredfarintothenightliketwinklingstars,forallthesmithsofthetownwerebusymakingormendingarmorfortheSheriff’stroopofescort.Fortwodaysthislaborlasted,then,onthethird,allwasreadyforthejourney.Soforththeystartedinthebrightsunlight,fromNottinghamTowntoFosseWayandthencetoWatlingStreet;andsotheyjourneyedfortwodays,untiltheysawatlastthespiresandtowersofgreatLondonTown;andmanyfolksstopped,astheyjourneyedalong,andgazedattheshowtheymaderidingalongthehighwayswiththeirflashingarmorandgayplumesandtrappings.

           InLondonKingHenryandhisfairQueenEleanorheldtheircourt,gaywithladiesinsilksandsatinsandvelvetsandclothofgold,andalsobraveknightsandgallantcourtiers.

           ThithercametheSheriffandwasshownintotheKing’spresence.

           "Aboon,aboon,"quothhe,ashekneltupontheground.