Sheriff of Nottingham

The Sheriff of Nottingham is the main antagonist in the legend of Robin Hood. He is generally depicted as an unjust tyrant who mistreats the local people of Nottinghamshire, subjecting them to unaffordable taxes. The holder of the office of Nottingham’s Sheriff, it is his task to capture outlaws such as Robin Hood, either to ensure the safety of trade routes through Sherwood Forest or to keep them from poaching the King’s deer. In some stories, the Sheriff of Nottingham is portrayed as having a lecherous desire for Robin Hood’s lady Maid Marian. He is widely considered to be the principal villain of the Robin Hood stories, appearing frequently alongside such enemies of Robin Hood as Sir Guy of Gisborne or John, King of England (though rarely both). The legends are generally set far from Nottingham; this fits the historical position of High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and the Royal Forests (from 1068 until 1568). In some versions, the Sheriff is a cowardly schemer while his assistant, Sir Guy of Gisborne, is a more competent and determined physical threat to Robin. In other versions, the Sheriff answers to Prince John. It is not conclusively known exactly whom this character is based on, but it would have been one of (or a composite of multiple of) the real life people who have occupied the post of the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and the Royal Forests.