IIMB Managerial Communication

Case Handout: Robin Hood

ROBIN HOOD

The story of Robin Hood is set a few hundred years ago in England. The cruel Prince John had overthrown the just King Richard. King Richard was now imprisoned in a jail in Austria and needed a huge ransom for his release. Prince John had started an unjust rule of terror in England. The High Sheriff of Nottingham County supported Prince John and was exploiting and killing the common people of that district. Robin Hood had revolted against the High Sheriff of Nottingham and had become an outlaw. He hid in the thick Sherwood Forest of Nottingham and waited for his opportunity to take revenge against the Sheriff. He knew that he could not do it alone. He was slowly building up a group by getting others to join him. He initially sought men with grievances and a deep sense of justice, who had also revolted against the Sheriff and were willing to support him in overthrowing the unjust Sheriff and his rule. Later he welcomed all who came. He asked few questions and only demanded a willingness to serve. Strength, he believed, lay in numbers. It was now about two years since Robin Hood had become an outlaw. He was taking an evening walk in Sherwood Forest. As he walked, he thought about the progress of his campaign, the ability of his group, the Sheriff's recent moves and the options that he had. Robin Hood had spent the first year creating a disciplined group out of the revenge seeking men who had joined him. They lived in the forest and raided rich travelers who passed through it. To motivate his group, Robin Hood created his famous motto - "Rob the Rich and Give it to the Poor". His group robbed the rich who supported the Sheriff and gave some of the loot to the poor in the villages who were being taxed heavily and exploited by the Sheriff. Robin Hood's group, called the Merrymen, was simply organized. Robin Hood ruled supreme, making all the important decisions. He gave specific tasks to his trusted men. Will Scarlett was in charge of scouting - his task was to track the Sheriff and his men and look out for their next move. Little John kept discipline and trained the men in archery. Scarlett took care of the money - converting loot to cash, paying shares to the men and hiding the rest in safe places for later use. Much the miller's son had the difficult task of providing food for the ever increasing number of Merrymen. The increasing size of his group was a source of satisfaction for Robin Hood. It was also a source of concern. His fame was spreading and men came to join his group from all parts of England. As the group grew larger,

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IIMB Managerial Communication

Case Handout: Robin Hood

their occupied a major camp within the forest. Between raids, the men walked about, chatted and played games. Vigilance was declining and discipline was becoming harder to enforce. Robin Hood often found that he didn't even know some of his own men. Hunting in the forest was no longer sufficient to feed the entire group. Food had to be bought from surrounding villages and this was exhausting their money. Further, rich travelers were avoiding the forest even though it was costly and inconvenient to them - it was better for them than losing all their goods to Robin Hood. Robin Hood had suggested to his men that the group should change their policy from robbing rich travelers entirely to charging all travelers a fixed transit tax for going through the forest. His men strongly opposed this idea. They felt that this was against their famous motto "Rob the Rich and Give it to the Poor". They argued that the poor farmers and townspeople, who were supporting them actively now, would no longer do so if they taxed them. Robin Hood wondered how long the Merrymen could keep to the ways and methods of their early days. The Sheriff was becoming stronger and better organized. He now had the money and the men. He was beginning to harass the Merrymen, probing for their weakness. The tide of events was beginning to turn against Robin Hood. He felt that his campaign had to be decisively concluded somehow before the Sheriff had a chance to capture him. Robin Hood had often entertained the possibility of killing the Sheriff, but the chances for this seemed increasingly difficult. Besides, he felt that killing the Sheriff might satisfy his personal thirst for revenge but it would not improve the situation. Robin Hood had hoped that the constant unrest created by his raids and the failure of the Sheriff to collect taxes would lead to his removal from office. Instead, over time, the Sheriff had used his political connections to get more men and money. He had powerful friends in the court of Prince John. He was also well regarded by Prince John. Robin Hood believed that it was only King Richard's return that will bring a just rule to England. As outlaws, Robin Hood and his men had no future. The barons, who had placed Prince John on the throne, had invited Robin Hood to join them in their new conspiracy to overthrow Prince John and bring back King Richard. Robin Hood and his men were promised a full pardon against their crimes if they assisted the barons in their conspiracy. Robin Hood was however, not sure about the real intention of the barons. Price John had spies everywhere and if the conspirators failed, his action against them and Robin Hood will be immediate.

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Case Handout: Robin Hood

The sound of the supper horn startled Robin Hood from his thoughts. Nothing was resolved or settled. Robin headed for supper promising himself that he will give these problems his utmost attention after tomorrow's raid. _________________

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