British Legend “Robin Hood” and Myth “Black Dog”

1.      Introduction

Aside from a myriad of its literary works, Britain is also outstanding for its big number of legends and myths. Compared to Americans, British people place their belief on legends and myths so much more. In consequence, British people have a collection of legends and myths, which is varied in the term of number and variety. 

This local belief is deeply rooted in the society and vaguely portrayed in some English literary works. British authors, including J.K. Rowling with Harry Potter, often manifest British legendary or mythological creatures in their works. For instance, Harry Potter contains a mythological creature named Boggart.
Some British legends and myth are even globally known. One of the immortal legendary figures that is outstanding throughout the globe is Robin Hood. He is well-known for his “robbing from the rich, giving to the poor”. In addition, the myth of the Black Dog is also popular until Latin America and perpetuated as a name of pub in Jersey.

From the starting point above, the group is interested in exploring British legend “Robin Hood” and myth “Black Dog”. Besides, the writer also wants to find out whether British legend “Robin Hood” and myth “Black Dog”share some similarities to Indonesian legend and myth.

2.      Definitions of Legend and Myth

Prior to any discussion about British legend and myth, the definitions of the words legend and myth should be grasped. Below are the definition of legend and myth.

a.      Legend

According to Oxford Dictionaries, the definition of the word legend is stated below.

Definition:

Noun

• 1a traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated: the legend of King Arthur [mass noun]:according to legend he banished all the snakes from Ireland
• historical the story of a saint’s life: the mosaics illustrate the Legends of the Saints

• 2an extremely famous or notorious person, especially in a particular field:the man was a living legend a screen legend

• 3an inscription, especially on a coin or medal.
• a caption:a picture of a tiger with the legend ‘Go ahead make my day’
• the wording on a map or diagram explaining the symbols used:see legend to Fig. 1

Adjective

[predic.]

• very well known: his speed and ferocity in attack were legend

Origin:

Middle English (in the sense 'story of a saint's life'): from Old French legende, from medieval Latin legenda 'things to be read', from Latin legere 'read'. legend (sense 1 of the noun) dates from the early 17th century.

Overview:

According to Wikipedia, a legend (Latin, legenda, "things to be read") is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude. Legend, for its active and passive participants includes no happenings that are outside the realm of "possibility", defined by a highly flexible set of parameters, which may include miracles that are perceived as actually having happened, within the specific tradition of indoctrination where the legend arises, and within which it may be transformed over time, in order to keep it fresh and vital, and realistic. A majority of legends operates within the realm of uncertainty, never being entirely believed by the participants, but also never being resolutely doubted. Legend, typically, is a short (mono-) episodic, traditional, highly ecotypified historicized narrative performed in a conversational mode, reflecting on a psychological level a symbolic representation of folk belief and collective experiences and serving as a reaffirmation of commonly held values of the group to whose tradition it belongs.

b.      Myth

According to Oxford Dictionaries, the definition and the origin of the word legend are stated below.

Definition:

Noun

• 1a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events:ancient Celtic myths [mass noun]:the heroes of Greek myth

• 2a widely held but false belief or idea:the belief that evening primrose oil helps to cure eczema is a myth, according to dermatologists
• a fictitious or imaginary person or thing: nobody had ever heard of Simon’s mysterious friend—Anna said he was a myth
• an exaggerated or idealized conception of a person or thing:the book is a scholarly study of the Churchill myth

Origin:

The word myth is known in the mid 19th century: from modern Latin mythus, via late Latin from Greek muthos

Overview:

According to Wikipedia, The term "mythology" can refer either to the study of myths (e.g., comparative mythology), or to a body or collection of myths (a mythos, e.g., Inca mythology). In folkloristics, a myth is a sacred narrative usually explaining how the world or humankind came to be in its present form, although, in a very broad sense, the word can refer to any traditional story. Bruce Lincoln defines myth as "ideology in narrative form". Myths typically involve supernatural characters and are endorsed by rulers or priests. They may arise as either truthful depictions or overelaborated accounts of historical events, as allegory for or personification of natural phenomena, or as an explanation of ritual. They are transmitted to convey religious or idealized experience, to establish behavioral models, and to teach.

c.       The Difference between Legend and Myth

A legend is an unverifiable story handed down by tradition from earlier times and accepted as historical from traditions. A myth is a story about superhuman begins of an earlier age taken by preliterate society to be a true account, usually of how natural phenomena, social customs, etc. came into existence.

3.      British Legend “Robin Hood”

Robin Hood (spelled Robyn Hode in older manuscripts) is a heroic outlaw in English folklore, a highly skilled archer and swordsman. Although not part of his original character, since the beginning of the 19th century  he has become known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Robin Hood and his band of "merry men" are usually portrayed as living in Sherwood Forest, in Nottinghamshire. 

In the earliest sources, Robin Hood is a yeoman, but he was often later portrayed as an aristocrat wrongfully dispossessed of his lands and made into an outlaw by an unscrupulous sheriff.

In these early accounts, Robin Hood's partisanship of the lower classes, his Marianism and associated special regard for women, his outstanding skill as an archer, his anti-clericalism, and his particular animosity towards the Sheriff of Nottingham are already clear.

In popular culture, Robin Hood is typically seen as a contemporary and supporter of the late-12th-century king Richard the Lionheart, Robin being driven to outlaw during the misrule of Richard's brother John while Richard was away at the Third Crusade.

As well as ballads, the legend was also transmitted by "Robin Hood games" or plays that were an important part of the late medieval and early modern May Day festivities. The first record of a Robin Hood game was in 1426 in Exeter, but the reference does not indicate how old or widespread this custom was at the time. 

The early ballads link Robin Hood to identifiable real places and many are convinced that he was a real person, more or less accurately portrayed. A number of theories as to the identity of "the real Robin Hood" have their supporters. Some of these theories posit that "Robin Hood" or "Robert Hood" or the like was his actual name; others suggest that this may have been merely a nickname disguising a medieval bandit perhaps known to history under another name.

4.      British Myth “Black Dog”

A black dog is the name given to a being found primarily in the folklores of the British Isles. The black dog is essentially a nocturnal apparition, often said to be associated with the Devil or a Hellhound. Its appearance was regarded as a portent of death. It is generally supposed to be larger than a normal dog, and often has large, glowing eyes.  It is often associated with electrical storms (such as Black Shuck's appearance at Bungay, Suffolk), and also with crossroads, places of execution and ancient pathways.

The origins of the black dog are difficult to discern. It is impossible to ascertain whether the creature originated in the Celtic or Germanic elements in British culture. Throughout European mythology, dogs have been associated with death. Examples of this are the Cŵn Annwn, Garmr and Cerberus, all of whom were in some way guardians of the underworld. This association seems to be due to the scavenging habits of dogs. It is possible that the black dog is a survival of these beliefs. Black dogs are almost universally regarded as malevolent, and a few (such as the Barghest) are said to be directly harmful. Some, however, like the Gurt Dog in Somerset and the Black Dog of the Hanging Hills in Connecticut, are said to behave benevolently.

A black dog has been said to haunt the Newgate Prison for over 400 years, appearing before executions. According to legend, in 1596, a scholar was sent to the prison for witchcraft, but was killed and eaten by starving prisoners before he was given a trial. The dog was said to appear soon after, and although the terrified men killed their guards and escaped, the beast is said to have haunted them wherever they fled.

Galley Hill in Luton, Bedfordshire, is said to have been haunted by a black dog ever since a storm set the gibbet alight sometime in the 18th century. People in this century still believe with a black dog, in Jersey it is depicted on the pub sign.

In Jersey folklore, the Black Dog of Death is also called the Tchico, but a related belief in the Tchian d'Bouôlé (Black Dog of Bouley) tells of a phantom dog whose appearance presages storms. The real reason for the superstition of the Black Dog of Bouley Bay is thought to be due to smugglers. If the superstition was fed and became 'real' to the locals, then the bay at night would be deserted and the smuggling could continue in security. The pier at Bouley Bay made this an exceptionally easy task. The pub retains the name "The Black Dog".

Black dogs with fiery eyes are reported throughout Latin America from Mexico to Argentina under a variety of names including the Perro Negro (Spanish for Black Dog), Nahual (Mexico), Huay Chivo and Huay Pek (Mexico) - alternatively spelled Uay/Way/Waay Chivo/Pek, Cadejo (Central America), the dog Familiar (Argentina) and the Lobizon (Paraguay and Argentina). They are usually said to be either incarnations of the Devil or a shape-changing sorcerer.

5.      The Existence of Legend “Robin Hood and Myth “Black Dog” Today

Throughout history the legend “Robin Hood” and myth “Black Dog” have been passed down through the generations. Handed down from the past, the legend and the myth has been, and may still be, properly accepted as being true no matter it lacks accurate historical evidence. 

Robin Hood is still debated up to this day as to whether he was real, or just the subject of a tale of ballads and poems to entertain listeners. Based on a real man or created as a fictional story for entertainment, the tales of Robin Hood have a rich history that many have tried to trace. Ballads were the first way that stories of a lively man named Robyn Hood were spread among the people of England. The high rate of illiteracy brought the oral traditions of passing on stories, or history because of the wandering minstrel. The legend continues an ever-evolving tradition in our culture and literature. In addition, Robin Hood is also introduced to children through Robin Hood games.

Today, Black Dog is still believed in many countries. The emersion of electrical storms, for instance, are sometimes associated with the presence of  Black Dog that can bring havoc. 

The truth of the legend and the myth in the past is still and might always be debatable. But, the message contained in the legend and myth is true. The message brings and emphasizes goodness over badness. For instance, Robin Hood is provoked to outlawry by legal violence, both go disguised as a potter, and both command substantial numbers of well-disciplined men.

6.      British Legend “Robin Hood” vs. Indonesian Legend “Si Pitung”

Many Indonesians know about the most popular British legend Robin Hood, which is slightly similar to one of Indonesian legends known as Si Pitung. Both are well-known for their principle of “robbing from the rich and giving to the poor”. Here are the comparisons between Robin Hood and Si Pitung.

No.	Similarities	English Legend ‘Robin Hood’	Indonesian Legend ‘Si Pitung’
1	The variety of the legends	Great varied according to the parts of England	Varied in 3 versions: Indonesias, Dutchman and Chinese.
2	The existence of band	Yes, called Merry Men	Yes, Pituan Pitulung (group seven): Abdoelrachman, Moedjeran, Merais, Dji-ih, dan Gering
3	The heroic act	Robbing from the rich and giving it to the poor	Robbing from the rich and giving it to the poor
4	Social background at the time	Injustice done by the government and the noblemen. In an age when the Rule of Law was respected as the foundation of good government but some parties could twist the law to their own ends	Injustice done by the government and the noblemen, especially Ducth colonies. In an age when the Rule of Law was respected as the foundation of good government but some parties could twist the law to their own ends
5	Tactic	Disguise and fight	Disguise and fight
6	Passing-down method	through ballads plus "Robin Hood games" or plays	through ballads
7	Death	Shot	Shot
8	Targets of robbery	Lord of Land, government	Lord of Land, government
9	Religious side	Good. Obedient Moslem	Good. Christian, praised honor to Mother Maria
10	The biggest enemy	Police: Van Heyne	Police: the Sheriff of Nottingham
11	Message	rebellion against the authority and injustice	rebellion against the authority and injustice

No.	Differences	English Legend ‘Robin Hood’	Indonesian Legend ‘Si Pitung’
1	Occupation	Yeoman or aristocrat wrongfully dispossessed of his lands	Goat trader
2	The existence of his family	Unknown	Known: Piung (father) and Mpok Pinah (mother)
3	The exact location of the legend	Biased: Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, or some other parts in between	Known: Pengumben, Rawabelong
4	Skills	archery, swordplay	Martial art
5	The existence of wife	Yes, named Matilda	Unknown
6	The magical side	No.	Yes, able to disappear
7	Century	15 century	19 century

7.      British Myth “Black Dog” vs. Indonesian Myth “Black Cat”

The myth of Black Dog in British Legend is almost similar to the myth of Black Cat in Indonesia. The primary concept of Black Dog and Cat Dog is an animal or nonhuman that brings misfortune or death. Besides, dog in Britain is as popular pet as cat in Indonesia. Here are the comparisons between Black Dog and Black Cat.

No.	Similarities	English Myth “Black Dog”	Indonesian Myth “Black Cat”
1	Symbolization	Death, devil, misfortune	Death, devil, misfortune
2	Signs of Coming	Electrical storms	No signs
3	Time of Coming	Nocturnal apparition	Nocturnal apparition
4	Shape of eyes	Large, glowing eyes	Large, glowing eyes
5	Trait	Malevolent	Malevolent

No.	Differences	English Myth “Black Dog”	Indonesian Myth “Black Cat”
1	Form	Dog	Cat
2	Incarnation	Of sorcerer	Of a spy or a companion of a sorcerer
3	Place of coming	Places of execution and ancient pathways	Haunted places, graveyard

8.      Conclusion

British legends and myths are many in number. Till now, the legends and myths are believed by the locals and variously known in different parts of Britain. Despite the debate on if it truly happened or not, the locals positively take the message of the legends and myths as their traditions and as a way of teaching moral lessons.

The popularity of the legends and the myths are known not only in Britain but also other countries including Indonesia. And even, some British legends and myths share similarities and differences to Indonesian legends and myths. In this case, British “Robin Hood” is comparable to Indonesian “Si Pitung” while British “Black Dog” is comparable to Indonesian “Black Cat”.

9.      Bibliography

“Cerita Rakyat legenda si Pitung”. Kumpulan Dongeng. 10 March 2013.

“Legend”. Oxford Dictionary. 10 March 2013.

"Mitos di Masyarakat". NDI. 21 April 2013.

“Myth”. Oxford Dictionary. 10 March 2013.

 “Mythology”. Wikipedia. 10 March 2013.

 “Myths and Legends”. Telegraph. 10 March 2013.

“Robin Hood”. Wikipedia. 10 March 2013.

 “Si Pitung”. Wikipedia. 10 March 2013.