RoS TV Episode Guide

Series Premise

Escaping from imprisonment in Nottingham Castle, Robin and his young step-brother Much (Peter Llewellyn Williams) meet up with a fellow prisoner, Will Scarlet (Ray Winstone). The three fugitives escape to the comparative safety of Sherwood Forest where they befriend other "outlaws", including John Little (Clive Mantle), the giant, bewitched slave of the Baron de Belleme (Anthony Valentine). The Baron knows the significance of the Silver Arrow and of the prediction that a hooded man will come to the forest and meet his rival, Herne the Hunter (John Abineri), the forest spirit possessed with the powers of light and goodness.

Robin releases John Little from Belleme's spell, thereby earning his friendship. Robin encounters Lady Marion (Judi Trott), they fall in love and she eventually joins him in the forest as his wife and a fighting member of the band. When Belleme's spell is broken, the mysterious Saracen who worked for him, Nasir (Mark Ryan), surprises the outlaws by joining them.

During a mystical encounter with Herne, Robin is presented with his first longbow and is told by Herne, "They are all out there waiting; the poor, the dispossessed...they are all waiting..." Robin returns to his friends as the Hooded Man--the Legend had become a reality.

The wheel turned and dark times came upon Sherwood Forest. But Herne chose another son, the heir to the Earl of Huntingdon. This young nobleman, Robert of Huntingdon (Jason Connery), gave up all his inheritance and comforts to fight for justice and defend the helpless. And so, the Legend continued. . . .

Episode Order

The original broadcasting order can be found in the HTV press releases for Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 (courtesy of Mo Feroz).

Frank Shailes' RoS timeline gives an historically justifiable episode order.

The episode order below makes the most sense.
For instance, in The Swords of Wayland Marion talks about her father as if he's dead, which makes a lot more sense before The Prophecy than after.
The Sheriff is absent in Lord of the Trees and Sir Guy is acting as deputy sheriff; Abbot Hugo mentions "And when my brother returns from London...". In The Prophecy the Sheriff is still noticeably missing when Prince John visits Nottingham and Gisburne tells De Leon: "But the Sheriff is in Westminster". In The Children of Israel the Sheriff finally returns from London.
In The Sheriff of Nottingham Much mentions that De Rainault once tried to hang him and as this was in Adam Bell, The Sheriff of Nottingham should come after Adam Bell. In Rutterkin King John declares "Unrest? Oh, I'll deal with it -- and with De Rainault when he returns." Then, in The Sheriff of Nottingham King John has the Sheriff sacked. In addition, Robert has a line in The Sheriff of Nottingham about "If he's got any sense, he won't try another public execution", which makes sense following Rutterkin but not before. So, The Sheriff of Nottingham seems to belong as next to last episode of the series.

First Series (1984)

• Robin Hood and the Sorcerer (oa 28 April 1984)
• The Witch of Elsdon (oa 5 May 1984)
• Seven Poor Knights from Acre (oa 12 May 1984)
• Alan a Dale (oa 19 May 1984)
• The King's Fool (oa 26 May 1984)

Second Series (1985)

• The Swords of Wayland (oa 6 April 1985)
• Lord of the Trees (oa 23 March 1985)
• The Prophecy (oa 9 March 1985)
• The Children of Israel (oa 16 March 1985)
• The Enchantment (oa 30 March 1985)
• The Greatest Enemy (oa 13 April 185)

Third Series (1986)

• Herne's Son (oa 5 and 12 April 1986)
• The Power of Albion (oa 19 April 1986)
• The Inheritance (oa 26 April 1985)
• The Cross of St. Ciricus (oa 10 May 1985)
• Cromm Cruac (oa 17 May 1985)
• The Betrayal (oa 24 May 1985)
• Adam Bell (oa 31 May 1985)
• The Pretender (oa 7 June 1985)
• Rutterkin (oa 14 June 1985)
• The Sheriff of Nottingham (oa 3 May 1985)
• The Time of the Wolf (oa 21 and 28 June 1985)

oa = original UK airdate

First Series Episodes

Robin Hood and the Sorcerer

(Two Hours) The Saxon village of Loxley is destroyed by Norman soldiers. The village's rebel leader Ailric, guardian of the silver arrow--an ancient symbol of pre-Christian religion--manages to get his five year old son, Robin, to safety before the attack. Before Ailric is killed by the Sheriff of Nottingham, he predicts that "the hooded man" will come to fight tyranny. Fifteen years later Robin catches his foster brother, Much, killing a deer--an offense punishable by loss of a hand. Before they can get away, they are captured by Abbot Hugo's steward, Sir Guy of Gisburne. He takes them to the dungeon in Nottingham Castle. Robin and Much escape from the dungeon along with Will Scarlet. Robin encounters and falls in love with the beautiful Lady Marion. The evil Baron de Belleme wants to marry Marion but she thinks she'd rather become a nun! Belleme wants Marion and the silver arrow, but first this sorcerer will have to battle the new leader of the forest outlaws, Herne's chosen son--Robin i' the Hood. This episode introduces all the main characters and features fiery passionate speeches given by Robin, terrific growling by Will, excellent sword and eyebrow action from Nasir, a very sweet, young Much, a gentle giant in Little John, an incandescently beautiful Marion, steadfast Tuck, great pouting by Sir Guy, and a wonderfully evil Sheriff, Hugo and the snaky sorcerer, Belleme.
Guest cast: Anthony Valentine as Simon de Belleme, Toby Lee as young Robin, Wayne Michaels as Ailric, Geoffrey Greenhill as the Miller (Much's father), Betty Francis as the Miller's wife, Paul Duggan as Tom Fletcher, Mark Audley as Dickon, Stuart Linden as old prisoner, Harry Herring as the clerk, Thomas Henty as Walter Flambard, and Kim Hicks ad Gillie Roper as Belleme's witches. Writer: Richard Carpenter. Director: Ian Sharp.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

The Witch of Elsdon

Jennet, a beautiful village herbalist, is in trouble. She has been framed for witchcraft by Gisburne, whose advances she refused. The sheriff says he will let her and her husband go if she uses her knowledge to render Robin and his band unconscious so they can be captured. If she refuses, she will have to watch her husband tortured to death. In this episode, Marion becomes a fighting member of the band. Gisburne starts working for the Sheriff.
Guest cast: Angharad Rees as Jennet, Cornelius Garrett as Thomas, Martin West as Martin, Steven Osborne as James, David Goodland as Gregory the tax collector. Writer: Richard Carpenter. Director: Ian Sharp.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

Seven Poor Knights from Acre

. . . are a group of Knights Templar (fanatical soldier-monks) on their way back from a crusade in the Holy Land. They are in an especially foul mood because someone has stolen the crest to their banner, without which they are disgraced. Wrongly believing Robin to be the thief, they hold Much captive and will kill him unless it is returned.
Guest cast: Yves Beneyton as Reynald de Villaret, Simon Rouse as Siward, Steve Osborne as James, Martin West as Martin, Duncan Preston as Heinric van Erlichshausen, Colin Rix as potter, Peewee Hunt as fat merchant. Writer: Richard Carpenter. Director: Ian Sharp.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

Alan a Dale

. . . is a hopelessly romantic minstrel in love with Mildred, the 16 year old daughter of Baron de Bracy. Unfortunately, she is to be married to the Sheriff, who hates the whole idea, but couldn't turn down 10,000 silver marks for her dowry. Will true love prevail? This is one of the lighter episodes of the series. It also introduces Little John's sweetheart, Meg of Wickham.
Guest cast: Peter Hutchinson as Alan a Dale, Stephanie Tague as Mildred de Bracy, Claire Toeman as Meg, Martin West as Martin. Writer: Richard Carpenter. Director: Ian Sharp.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

The King's Fool

. . . is a fascinating portrait of a warrior king. Richard returns from being held for ransom and pardons the entire outlaw band. Robin is taken in by his forceful personality and his naive hope that the king will make all things right again. Robin is almost persuaded to go off to fight for him. The disillusioned band splits up only to come together again in a mystical fashion.
Guest cast: John Rhys Davies as King Richard the Lionhearted, Doc O'Brien as Mercadier, Gary Waldron as Hubert Walter, Martin West as Martin. Writer: Richard Carpenter. Director: Ian Sharp.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

Second Series Episodes

The Swords of Wayland

(Two Hours) A group of pious and well-respected nuns are in reality a coven of witches. They need all of the Seven Swords of Wayland for some very heavy-duty conjuring. The only sword they don't have is Robin's Albion. This episode is packed with spells and magic, romance and derring do.
Guest cast: Rula Lenska as Morgwyn of Ravenscar, Dallas Adams as Peter Verdelet, James Donnelly as Gareth, Anthony Steel as Earl Godwin, Norman Bowler as Adam, David Travena as the sheriff, David Cain as Cedric, Conrad Phillips as Philip, Ingrid Hafner as Mary, Vic McGuire as James, Nick Brimble as captain, Roger McKern and Ned Kelly as guards, Morlais Thomas as the ragged man, Marcus Gilbert as Lucifer. Writer: Richard Carpenter. Director: Robert Young.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.
"The Swords of Wayland" (TV-Zone #11 November 1990)

Lord of the Trees

Gisburne, left in charge of Nottingham by the Sheriff, hires a group of vicious mercenaries to hunt down the outlaws. Unfortunate timing for Robin and company. It is the time of the Blessing when no blood can be shed or the villagers will not have a good harvest that year. The outlaws must use cunning and trickery to defeat Gisburne and the mercenaries. The episode introduces Jeremy Bulloch as the village elder, Edward of Wickham.
Guest cast: Oliver Tobias as Bertrand de Nivelle, Patrick Gordon as Guillaume, Claire Toeman as Meg, Jeremy Bulloch as Edward of Wickham, Leigh Samuels, Jaz Abineri and Deborah Cranston as Meg's friends, Ian Brimble as forester, Mark Lewis as Walter, Nicholas Brent as the alehouse keeper, Jacob Powers as the pot boy, Jill James as the widow. Writer: Richard Carpenter. Director: James Allen.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

The Prophecy

Herne foretells the death of a great king and the arrival in Nottingham of Prince John with a prisoner important to Robin. Robin is determined to rescue the prince's captive, no matter who he is. Gisburne, still on his own, has his hands full trying to deal with the volatile Prince John. Especially after several captives, including Little John, are sprung from the dungeon. There is a marvelous comic sequence as Gisburne frantically tries to prepare for the Prince's arrival. The episode introduces semi-regular player Philip Davis as the most irregular Prince John.
Guest cast: Simon Dutton as Mark, Philip Davies as Prince John, George Baker as Sir Richard, John Nettles as Peter De Leon, Stuart Linden as old prisoner, David Bartlett as the little boy, David Silver as Brother Cedric, Jamie Ripman as the messenger, Philip York as the captain, Michael Loney as guard. Writer: Richard Carpenter. Director: Robert Young.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

The Children of Israel

Unwilling to pay back his debt to a Jewish moneylender, the Sheriff engineers a riot of the Nottingham citizenry (with Gisburne and his soldiers directing traffic) against all Nottingham Jews. All except the moneylender's family. Gisburne, smitten with the lovely daughter Sarah, has other dark plans. The Merrie Men to the rescue!
Guest cast: David de Keyser as Joshua de Talmont, Katherine Levy as Sarah de Talmont, Amy Rosenthal as Esther de Talmont, Adam Rosenthal as Samuel de Talmont, Pavel Douglas as the captain, Paul Wilce as the poacher, Daniel Gregory as the head man, Odette Bennet as De Talmonts' servant, Richard Bonehill as swordsman. Writer: Richard Carpenter. Director: Alex Kirby.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

The Enchantment

Robin is bewitched by Lilith, one of followers of the not-quite-late Simon de Belleme, and tricked into helping to bring the Baron back to life. At the same time, the Sheriff schemes to take possession of the Baron's legendary cache of gems.
Guest cast: Anthony Valentine as Simon de Belleme, Gemma Craven as Lillith, Trevor Clarke as Ralph of Huntingdon, Maria MacDonald as the young witch, Jeremy Bulloch as Edward of Wickham. Writer: Richard Carpenter. Director: James Allen.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

The Greatest Enemy

Threatened with the loss of his position, the Sheriff pulls out all stops to find Robin. He captures most of the band in Wickham and hunts down the rest with hounds. Finally, only Robin, Marion and Much are alone on a hill, facing an army.
Guest cast: Steve Dent and Mark Lewis as Arabs, Robert Daws as Hubert de Giscard, Jeremy Bulloch as Edward, Robbie Bulloch as Matthew. Writer: Richard Carpenter. Director: Robert Young.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

Third Series Episodes

Herne's Son

(Two Hours) After the death of Loxley, the outlaw band have gone their separate ways. Robert of Huntingdon, the man called by Herne, has rejected his calling, saying no one else could be The Hooded Man. He cannot escape his destiny. Robert's father, the Earl of Huntingdon, hosts a party to gain favor with vile, border lord Owen of Clun. Marion of Leaford attends with her father, who has bought her a pardon from the king. Clun makes unseemly advances toward Marion. When no one else will help her, Robert, to his father's horror, defends her in a swordfight against Clun. When Clun kidnaps Marion, Robert must reassemble the outlaw band to rescue her.
Guest cast: Oliver Cotton as Lord Owen of Clun, Richard O'Brien as Gulnar, Michael Craig as the Earl of Huntingdon, James Coombes as Grendal, Keith Bartlett as rival Marcher Lord, Bradley Lavelle and Nicholas Pritchard as Marcher Lords, Timothy Roland as herald at Huntingdon, Serena Harrigan as the first Lady, Miranda Coe as the Second Lady, Terry Shephard as the young Lord, Derek Graham as the poacher, Daniel Peacock as Sergeant Sparrow, Graham Chinn as Amos Scathlock, Ivan Steward as Ambrose, Wayne Michaels as the man guarding the signal fire, and Steve Dent as the man throwing cabbages in Lichfield. Writer: Richard Carpenter. Director: Robert Young.
IMDb Part 1 episode, plot summary, and full credits. IMDb Part 2 episode, plot summary, and full credits.

The Power of Albion

Before his death, Loxley gave Albion to Marion. She has kept it safe for the past year at the home of her father, who has begged her to have no more to do with the outlaws. She attempts to give it to Robert, but he still says no one could take Loxley's place. When the band tries to stop a torturer en route to Nottingham, Robert is wounded by a poisoned arrow and falls gravely ill. After returning home from going to aid Robert, Marion and Albion are taken by the Sheriff. Although Gisburne is sure Robert of Huntingdon is the new Robin Hood, no one will believe him. Robert is able to masquerade as a shallow, young nobleman and make friends with the Sheriff as part of a scheme to free Marion. After the true powers of Albion are revealed, Robert, whom everyone now calls Robin, knows he is truly Herne's son.
Guest cast: David Walker as the torturer, Max Faulkner as Olivier, Stuart Linden as the old prisoner, Steve Dent and Wayne Michaels as soldiers (uncredited). Writer: Richard Carpenter. Director: Gerry Mill.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

The Inheritance

An old man and his beautiful daughter live alone in the ancient castle of Caerleon. They are about to be attacked by a horde of brigands led to the castle by a former employee of the old man's. This traitor knows there is a priceless treasure in the castle, but never found out exactly what it was. The daughter seeks out Robin Hood to defend her, her father and the treasure that is beyond price (although it's not something the robbers would find useful!). Robin must ultimately make a staggering choice of loyalty.
Guest cast: Cathryn Harrison as Isadora, Cyril Cusack as Agrivaine, David Rappaport as Skully, Derrick O'Connor as Raven, Jeremy Sinden as Mortimer, Harry Jones as the Irish villein, David Wodard as King Arthur, Hywel Bennett as the voice of King Arthur, Olive Lucius as the old lady. Writer: Anthony Horowitz. Director: Ben Bolt.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

The Cross of St. Ciricus

Robin and his band rescue from bandits a desperately ill woman en route to the shrine of St. Ciricus at Croxden Abbey. She confesses a startling secret to Tuck and later to Robin. Gisburne, on orders from the Sheriff, is also on his way to the Abbey to steal the sacred cross. Robin must stop him, but finds the nature of their enmity has changed.
Guest cast: Dorothy Tutin as Lady Margaret, Brendan Price as Abbot Martin, Mark Lewis as Brabancon chief, David Sivier as monk, Michelle Gibbons-Price as maid, Jemina Fyne as little girl, Martin Shaw as beggar, Steve Dent and Wayne Michaels as Gisburne's lepers (uncredited). Writer: Richard Carpenter. Director: Dennis Abey.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

Cromm Cruac

After Much is injured in a pit trap, the outlaws seek help for him at the nearest village, Cromm Cruac, a place no one has heard of until now. All is not right, as becomes evident by the things the men see and the way some of them begin to act. Robin must confront Gulnar, a sorcerer who once served Owen of Clun. There are some nice bits of background on Will and Tuck.
Guest cast: Richard O'Brien as Gulnar. John Horsley as Abbot of Thornton Abbey, Claire Parker as Elena, Richard Bonehill as the driver, Ian Redford as Tom the Miller, Jon Hastings as villager, Larry Dann as bailiff, David Plimmer as Reeve, Graham Weston as William the Blacksmith, Caroline Holdaway as Mary the Miller's wife. Writer: Anthony Horowitz. Director: Gerry Mill.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

The Betrayal

King John, furious over the disappearance of the past several tax collections from Nottingham, schemes to put an end to the outlaws by ending their popular support. A band of his soldiers, led by the merciless Roger de Carnac, masquerades as Robin's band, committing atrocities against villagers throughout the shire.
Guest cast: Matt Frewer as Roger de Carnac, Philip Davis as King John, Deborah Cranston as woman villager, Ian Redford as Tom the villager, Paul Nicholas as the monk, Wayne Michaels as the fake Will Scarlet (uncredited). Writers: Andrew McCulloch and John Flanagan. Director: James Allen.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

Adam Bell

The Sheriff's young nephew, Martin, is kidnapped by Adam Bell, an aging outlaw who was the Robin Hood of his day, but now robs only for himself. The Sheriff, using his hostage, Much, as a bargaining chip, persuades Robin to rescue the boy from Bell.
Guest cast: Bryan Marshall as Adam Bell, Leo Dolan as Moth, Amanda Hillwood as Lady Isabel, Charlie Condou as Martin, Patrick Travis as Matthew, Rodney Wood as stall holder, Hugh Evans as the innkeeper, William Vaughn as the goaler, Stuart Linden as the old prisoner, Campbell Shaw, Chris Chivers and Alan Roberts as outlaws. Writer: Anthony Horowitz. Director: Gerry Mill.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

The Pretender

Taking up with a 12 year old French princess, King John has annulled his marriage to Queen Hadwisa, who vows revenge against her former husband and the new queen, Isabella. Her plan is to have Isabella murdered while on a pilgrimage and make it appear to have been done by Robin Hood. Hadwisa's family believe they have enough support among the barons to depose King John and replace him with a new young man who claims to be Arthur of Brittany, John's nephew. While Arthur infiltrates the outlaw band, Gisburne becomes involved in the plot. Gisburne is only too eager to advance his position and finish off Robin Hood all at the same time. The Sheriff, however, knows that "if Queen Isabella dies, we shall ALL hang", but gravely ill from a dog bite, he is unable to stop Gisburne.
Guest cast: Reece Dinsdale as Arthur of Brittany, Patricia Hodge as Queen Hadwisa, Cory Pulman as Queen Isabella, Russell Enoch as the Duke of Gloucester, Paul Geoffrey as Tourneur, Gregory Cox as steward, Bill Wallis as the barber/surgeon, Alan Moore as the Earl of Warwick. Writer: Anthony Horowitz. Director: Robert Young.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

Rutterkin

'Mad Mab' (no one knows her real name) is an old hag who lives happily with her family of pigs, including her 'baby', Rutterkin. Edgar of Huntingdon, Robert's uncle, captures Rutterkin and later Mab, accusing the old woman of being a witch (and the pig her familiar), paid by the Earl, Robert's father, to cause the death of King John, who has been beset by a mysterious illness. The Earl is arrested for treason and sentenced to death. In trying to rescue him, most of the outlaw band is taken as well.
Guest cast: Ian Ogilvy as Lord Edgar, Michael Craig as the Earl of Huntingdon, Annabel Lee (wife of series creator Richard Carpenter, who said: "Where else can you find an actress who will hold a 40 pound pig that wets down the front of her dress?") as Mad Mab, Stephan MacKenna as Walter Clout, Claire Toeman as Meg of Wickham, Philip Davies as King John. Writer: Richard Carpenter. Director: Gerry Mill.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

The Sheriff of Nottingham

Robert de Rainault, high Sheriff of Nottingham, failing one time too many to end the activities of Robin Hood, is dismissed by the king and replaced by Philip Mark, "The Butcher of Lincoln". Mark captures 6 villagers from Wickham and sends out word that Robin Hood must turn himself in or the captives will die the next noon, and six more the day after that until Robin is captured. Nasir must face the new Sheriff's servant, Sarak, a masked assassin out of the Saracen's past.
Guest cast: Lewis Collins as Philip Mark, Valentine Pelka as Sarak, Maureen Bennet as Alison, Robbie Bulloch as Matthew, Neville Watchurst as carter, Lorrian Grey as Jennifer, Robert Daws as Hubert de Giscard, Stuart Linden as the old prisoner, Nicole Dominic as the slave girl, Gregory Cox as steward, David Lumsden as Jeffrey, Graham Pritchard as soldier. Writer: Anthony Horowitz. Director: Christopher King.
IMDb episode, plot summary, and full credits.

The Time of the Wolf

(Two Hours) Gulnar (he's baaack!) and his old followers now worship the Norse god Fenris, the destroyer. After murdering all the monks, they use Grimstone Abbey as their headquarters. They believe the whole country will follow Fenris in "the time of the wolf", the famine they believe is imminent. This is not too far off for some, as the king needs grain to feed an army he is marching against the Welsh. Under orders from the king's representative, the tyrannical William Brewer, the Sheriff and Gisburne have removed the entire grain harvest from Wickham and two more villages in the shire. Do the villagers get their grain back? Will Gisburne really lose his head this time? Is Scarlet going to learn not to call Much a halfwit? Will Sir Guy need a deprogrammer? Will Marion need a deprogrammer? And who is that toothy blond fellow off in the woods gnawing on raw rabbit? Will anyone ever get their acts together to make more RoS and resolve these cliffhangers? (Thank Herne for fan-fiction, Blessed Be!)
Guest cast: Richard O'Brien as Gulnar, James Coombes as Grendal, Maureen Bennett as Alison, Robbie Bulloch as Matthew, David Charkham as Tom, Roger McKern as dying villager, Shelley Pielou and Gabrielle Dellal as Gulnar's maidens, John Harding as William Brewer, Pavel Douglas as captain, Ben Davis and Robin Holder as village children, Brian Coburn as the alehouse keeper, Stoney Garnett as carter, Tom Fry, Graham Pritchard and Iain Armstrong as villagers, Olive Lucius as the Prioress of Halstead. Writer: Richard Carpenter. Director: Sid Robertson.
IMDb Part 1 episode, plot summary, and full credits. IMDb Part 2 episode, plot summary, and full credits.

Other Episode Guides

• Starburst #92 (April 1986)
• Starlog #161 (December 1990)
• Epi-log #29 (April 1993)

On-line RoS episode guides:

• by IMDb - full episode list
• by Gary Rhodes (Silver Arrow site)
• by Alan Morton (epguides.com site) - with original UK and US air dates
• by Rebecca Carefoot (Light and Darkness site) - very detailed
• by Clive Banks
• by Charlotte White (robinhood.org.uk) - with opening/closing lines, # visions/prophesies, guard count
• by The History Files
• by the Nothing's Forgotten Discussion Forum