While there is disagreement over whether the character of Robin Hood is based on a real person, it is clear that the legend was inspired by literary works that predate the Robin Hood legend, some based on real people.
One of those was a thirteenth century romance written in verse about a surprisingly Robin Hoodish French nobleman who for a time led a merry band of thieves in the forest engaging in very Robin Hoodish antics. But this particular rogue then realized something that Robin Hood did not- that all good stories involve pirates.
