152: Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow
Like 151 this ballad appeared in Garlands in the mid-eighteenth century and like 151 was probably composed to fill out a garland. As Child states, ‘The first twenty-three stanzas are based upon ‘The Gest’ (117), stanzas 282-95.’ It appears to be a prequel to the following ballad 152.
Bronson makes no reference to it and there are no oral versions. See notes to 151 for Child’s condemnation of it.