Writing Assignment Is About Robin Hood Fiction Story (Article Sample)

Robin Hood
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Date
Robin Hood
For a long time, members of the Nottingham community lived harmoniously and happily, except for the encounters with the neighboring kingdoms that would invade their lands occasionally in search of food. Most members of the community tended their land and kept animals to survive. Families in this expansive but remote village lived a simple life. They were surrounded by nature and dwelt in basic structures made of wood, a dramatic contrast to some communities around 150 km away. The 1100s ushered in vital crime and punishment reforms that guided how members of the community went about their everyday lives. Royal judges would visit various counties to hear and address various criminal causes. The trend gave the ruling class more authority and control over the court and legal systems. Furthermore, local sheriffs acted on behalf of the ruling class and gave written instructions on how to deal with major legal tussles. The church occupied a central role in all these initiatives.
Robin was standing on the edge of a thick royal forest that was heavily guarded by the royal guards.
"Young man," said Edward, "What are you doing here alone at this time of the day with an arrow and bow in your hand?"
When Robin turned around to see who was talking, he caught the sight of his friend Edward. Edward was fifteen years old. However, his physical appearance made him appear much older that Robin. His limbs were large, and stature was almost seven foot high. In the neighborhood, Edward was known to be a bully who not only harassed children of his age but also spoke negatively about the elite. Robin was lucky to have him as a friend because he could protect him as they walked and played around the village.
"We have not met for five days now," Edward said as he walked towards Robin
, "Is there any problem.
"I have been spending a lot of times working on this bow," Robin replied.
"Now that you have completed the work, what do you intend to do with those items," asked Edward.
"I have nothing in mind," Robin replied, "I just wanted to keep myself busy and free my mind from the coming judgment involving our friend Alfred.
The law enforcers took Alfred into custody after killing a sheriff who had attacked his parents. Alfred’s parents were farmers, who like the rest of the community, engaged in subsidence agriculture to survive. On that fateful day, a local sheriff was going from one house to the other harassing locals over the killing of wild animals in the royal forest. Alfred's father, Edmund, became mad and refused to allow the guard into his compound. As the confrontation between the two worsened, the sheriff hit Edmund on the head with a blunt object killing him on the spot. All this time, Alfred was watching keenly from a distance. When he saw his father fall to the ground, he quickly pulled his bow and fired an arrow that went straight into the guard's heart. Less than 30 minutes later, Alfred was arrested and taken into custody for killing a royal guard.
“Our friend Alfred may be put to death today if the judges find him guilty of the crime," said Robin, "Am worried because I know he is innocent and only acted after seeing his father go down."
"I am worried too," Edward replied, “We must do something.”
“I agree with you 100 percent,” said Robin ‘But where do we even start?”
Punishment in the later middle ages came in the form of execution, fines, and corporal punishment. A person found guilty of treason or murder would be put to death. In other cases, the guards whipped such people before opening their abdomen to remove the intestines.
"Our friend Alfred risks losing his life in the same church that should be protecting the people," lamented Edward.
In instances where there was insufficient evidence to show that an individual was guilty, the church came in to help in determining the best course of action. In most instances, the accused was tried by the church authorities using the famous "trial by ordeal method." This approach tested whether the defendant was guilty or innocent before God’s eyes. The outcome of the process showed God's perception of the individual’s guilt or innocence.
“They have decided to subject him to trial by hot water,” said Robin
“What is that?” Edward asked in dismay
“In this approach, the church authorities will scale Alfred’s hand with boiling water, bandage it and wait for about three days to see whether its heals” Robin replied
"What if it does not improve in three days," Edward asked
If Alfred’s hands do not heal, then he is guilty”, Robin Replied.
"Then we must not let them put Alfred to the test because it is unfair," Edward noted
“I agree with you,” replied Robin, “Let us go straight to the church and free our friend from those unjust people."
When the two friends got to the church, the authorities were already conducting the trial. Members of the public had come to show solidarity with Alfred. To them, Alfred did not deserve to die at this point. Unfortunately, none had the courage to confront church authority when it came to legal and law enforcement issues. Alfred’s hands were put into boiled water and later on wrapped in a bandage. The process was very painful, but we could do nothing because of the heavy presence of law enforcement officers. The guards then took him to a secluded chamber in the church where he was to spend three nights to heal.
“We must...