If Your Majesty would like I will tell you a certain adventure of this
outlaw."
Then the King laughingly bade him tell his tale, whereupon he told how
Robin Hood had aided Sir Richard of the Lea with money that he had
borrowed from the Bishop of Hereford. Again and again the King and
those present roared with laughter, while the poor Bishop waxed cherry
red in the face with vexation, for the matter was a sore thing with him.
When Sir Henry of the Lea was done, others of those present, seeing how
the King enjoyed this merry tale, told other tales concerning Robin and
his merry men.
"By the hilt of my sword," said stout King Richard, "this is as bold and
merry a knave as ever I heard tell of. Marry, I must take this matter
in hand and do what thou couldst not do, Sheriff, to wit, clear the
forest of him and his band."
That night the King sat in the place that was set apart for his lodging
while in Nottingham Town. With him were young Sir Henry of the Lea and
two other knights and three barons of Nottinghamshire; but the King's
mind still dwelled upon Robin Hood.
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