S3 Episode Guide - Herne's Son (Episodes 1 & 2)
Apr 20, 2020 16:05:31 GMT
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Post by Lucy of Ravenscar on Apr 20, 2020 16:05:31 GMT
Robin of Sherwood: Series 3, Episodes 1 and 2
Herne's Son
Original Transmission Date: 5th and 12th April 1986
Written by Richard Carpenter
Story
Part One
"I am Herne The Hunter and you are a leaf driven by the wind."
"Nothing's forgotten, nothing is ever forgotten."
"So he is free."
We see images of the end of Loxley, starting with Herne and the mysterious Hooded Man, Loxley being killed, and the outlaws firing flaming arrows for him. In sepia tones we see them remembering Gisburne telling them that Robin was dead, Marion telling Much and standing with Albion as the others arrive, with Robin's voice telling her to live. As the wind rustles in the leaves we hear Herne's voice, "The Hooded Man shall come to the forest, there to meet with Herne the Hunter, to be his son and do his bidding."
The Hooded Man stands in Wickham and the Sheriff's men fail to shoot him.
One more arrow flies into the lake and the outlaws turn to see the Hooded Man, who walks away from them. He pushes off his hood and we can see his face, a young man with blond hair. He hears Herne telling him he is Herne's son and that he has to lead them. The man replies that Herne's son is dead, and Herne says, "Robin of Loxley is dead. Herne's son lives again in you." We see Herne lift a bow and arrows while the man silently refuses the mantle of Herne's son. He says that it's over now that Loxley's followers are safe, and finally puts down his own bow and arrows saying, "Farewell Herne". But Herne has the last word, saying that he will return.
In a castle under a dark sky two men in leather helmets are fighting in an arena while a crowd cheer them on, and bets are made between two leaders as to which will win. The champion of the lord of this castle, Owen of Clun, is the victor, and he celebrates noisily.
The Sheriff and Guy of Gisburne are riding through Sherwood with Hugo de Rainault travelling in a cart. Robert is pleased to be able to travel easily through Sherwood now that Robin is dead, but Hugo points out that many people don't believe he really died, and Guy says that they should have brought the body back. Robert angrily points out that it was unrecognisable, and wonders where the other outlaws went. Guy says that they scattered, and that he intends to hunt them down, along with the man who rescued them.
Along the track a young, well-dressed man on a horse rides towards them and we see that it is the man that Herne called to be his son. As Hugo dismissively says, "Who's this peacock?" the man introduces himself, "I'm Huntingdon, Robert of Huntingdon. The Earl's my father."
In Huntingdon Castle Sir Richard of Leaford and Marion are announced, and a couple of girls gossip about how she got her pardon. They greet the Earl of Huntingdon, who is obviously an old friend of Sir Richard. The Earl complains about having to ingratiate himself with a mad man like Owen of Clun, just because his castle is on the Welsh border.
Clun and his men ride up in sight of the castle, and the Sheriff, his brother and Gisburne are announced inside. They go to talk with Sir Richard and can't hide that they are disappointed that Marion was pardoned. The Earl tells them to be silent, he will not have his guests abused, and rebukes the Sheriff for his seditious comments about the King.
Lord Owen of Clun is announced, and in a silent hall greets the Earl with a bear hug. A stately candle dance begins, with four pairs of dancers. Guy takes the opportunity to try to provoke Marion while Owen and his men watch and drink, appreciating Marion's beauty, and Robert warns her to keep away from Clun. The dance ends, but Owen gets up to partner Marion and tells the musicians to start again. She moves tensely through the steps, as he follows her around, and at the end he grabs her and kisses her, to the laughter of his men. She punches him in the face and walks off, to which he reacts, "I think I'm in love!"
Robert doesn't take kindly to this, and asks him to apologise, but Owen draws his sword and a fight ensues, with the Earl screaming at his son to stop. The fight ends over a fire, when Robert forces Owen to drop his sword. Clun demands that Robert be punished and the Earl tells his son to apologise, but he just walks off. Clun says that if he doesn't get an apology none of the King's soldiers will cross his land. The Earl heads up to Roberts room, and angrily points out that Robert is showing no respect to him, and is acting like an empty-headed fool. He tells him to beg forgiveness of Clun in the morning.
Early next morning Sir Richard and Marion leave for home, and the Earl tells his son to wake Owen of Clun up if necessary to humble himself before him. Going into the hall of sleeping people he finds Owen snoring in a chair. Robert tips it up and, as he lies on the floor says, "My apology." Furious, Clun rides off with his men, after the Sheriff has told him that Marion has taken the Leaford road.
Sir Richard and Marion stop on their journey to rest, when Owen's soldiers come riding over the hills to attack. Her father sends her riding off and tries to protect her but he is knocked off his horse and she is captured.
A wolf howls at a flock of sheep but Much and John chase him off, and Much shoots the wolf. John says the dead wolf will be worth money from the local lord.
Much: "Six pennies for a wolf's head?"
John: "Aye, a wolf's head. Ours were worth much more."
Sir Richard is at Nottingham Castle, asking for help from the Sheriff. He needs soldiers to get Marion back, but the Earl can't help him as he is supposed to develop good relations with Clun for the King. The sheriff offers the use of his soldiers for 500 marks, an extortionate price, but Sir Richard has to agree, and signs away his lands if he cannot pay. De Rainault secretly arranges to tell Owen to expect the attack, instructing Guy to run away as soon as Clun's soldiers turn up.
At Clun Castle Marion is distraught and crying, to Owen's annoyance as he tell her she is to be his wife.
Sir Richard and Gisburne approach Clun Castle, with Nasir watching from a distance. When Owen's men attack Sir Richard is left to fight alone as his crusader skills come to the fore. Nasir comes to help him, allowing Sir Richard to escape, but Nasir is outnumbered and captured.
Owen watches his champion be defeated and killed in the arena, with Marion at his side. His captain, Grendel, arrives with the news that Sir Richard has fled, earning him a punch in the face and the position of champion. Luckily for him Owen then notices Nasir, and being told about his fighting prowess, decides that he should be the next champion.
The Earl of Huntingdon has received a letter from Sir Richard, telling him what has happened to Marion. He tells his son that he caused this as he enraged Owen of Clun. Thinking about this, Robert re-reads the letter.
We see Herne in his cave surrounded by fires, and hear him say, "The Hooded Man shall come to the forest, there to meet with Herne the Hunter, to be his son and do his bidding."
Robert rides to Herne and asks for his help to rescue Marion, since he is Herne's son. Herne replies, "Are you? You told me he was dead. Denied your destiny, deserted those who would have followed you. But Marion is in danger and so you return."
Herne tells him to look to the past, and disappears, leaving him a bow and a quiver of arrows.
Robert rides into Wickham and is greeted by Edward, who acts confused when Robert talks about Herne, until he shows that he remembers what happened a year ago when the outlaws were captured in Wickham. Edward tells him that most of the outlaws have gone, that perhaps they quarrelled, and that only Tuck remains in Sherwood. Gisburne then arrives in the village, noticing Robert's grey horse, which he feels he recognises. Edward says they're looking for its rider, and Guy leaves, telling him to bring him the horse if they don't find him.
The villagers give Robert new clothes, as he says he has left his old life behind, and he drinks with them saying, "Herne protect us."
We hear Herne's voice saying, "Bring hope to those that have none, freedom to those in chains, justice to those that have been wronged. Find them, bring them together. Lead them."
In Clun Castle Grendel instructs Nasir in the use of the dagger and sword that are the weapons of the arena, and he proves to be more than proficient.
Robert comes to a stream in Sherwood and sees some fish on the bank. Suddenly he is attacked by Tuck, who pulls him into the river where they fight until Robert is able to tell him about Marion. Drying out by the fire, Tuck tells him that Little John and Much went to Hathersage, but he doesn't know where the others are.
They leave for Hathersage together, spotted by a man who tells the Sheriff that he's seen Robin Hood riding off with Tuck. Told that he was riding a grey horse, and since he has now remembered the owner of the horse in Wickham, Gisburne thinks that he know who the man is - Robert of Huntingdon! The Sheriff wonders why Robert would bother himself with outlaws but Guy has the answer, it's because of Marion.
Robert and Tuck ride towards Hathersage.
Part Two
John and Much are looking after their sheep when they see Tuck and a stranger riding towards them. They are friendly but wary with Tuck, and rather dubious when introduced to Robert of Huntingdon, asking for their help. John is not interested in helping Marion, not even when Tuck tells him that Robert rescued them the year before, as he wonders why Robert didn't stay. He's even less impressed that Robert is an earl's son, asking why an earl or Sir Richard can't help Marion, and bitter that she received a pardon when they did not. Robert tries to get through to him.
Robert: "You believed in Robin, didn't you?"
John: "Yes, I did."
Robert: "Why?"
John: "Because the fire burned bright in him and for a while it warmed us all. Now he's gone, and the fire went with him. It's all over."
John angrily states that as Robert is one of the nobility he has no idea what it's like for them, and rather than continue debating, Robert simply insults him, "Little John, little brain more like!"
John gets his quarterstaff, Robert borrows Much's, and they fight. John uses all his strength and skill, but Robert has a trick up his sleeve, and disarms him. Continuing to fight, john wipes the smile off Robert's face by smashing his knuckles. They are about to go again when Tuck stops them. Going back to their shelter, Robert tries to explain why he hadn't stayed with the outlaws after Robin's death. He had been brought up to become the next earl, and he didn't feel he could take Loxley's place, even though he saw injustice everywhere. He admits he lacked courage. He tells John how Marion had appeared heart-broken when he saw her, and that she was still one of them. John agreed that he, indeed all of them, had lacked courage in the wake of Robin's death, and that he's realised he can't go back to being a shepherd. He asks Robert where he learned to use a quarterstaff, admitting that the guard had taught him quite well, and then says that he is with him.
John tells Much that there are twenty-seven pennies buried under the threshold if he doesn't come back, but Much insists that he is coming too. When John tries to dismiss him, he states that he has more right than anybody, since Robin died for him and Marion. Tuck agrees that he's a man now, and they agree to leave together.
Gisburne is still insisting that the Hooded Man is Robert of Huntingdon and although the Sheriff is dubious he lets him leave to try and prove it.
Sharing some food, Robert asks the others if they know where Scarlet is. John thinks he has a brother with an ale house, and eventually remembers that the brother lives in Lichfield, though he thinks Will won't join them anyway, after the quarrel they had.
Owen's right-hand man and sorcerer, Gulnar, is working on a potion. He tells Owen that he will wed Marion at the feast of Arianrhod in three days' time and gives him the potion that will make her willing. A criss-cross shadow over Owen's face makes Gulnar uneasy, but he doesn’t tell Owen why.
Robert and the outlaws ride into Lichfield and enter a tavern, asking for anyone named Scathlock. Will's brother comes forward but is not very helpful, then Will swaggers in, downs a mug of ale, and when Robert introduces himself as Herne's son, smacks him in the face. Robert realises there's no point in talking with Scarlet, so he tries to persuade him with his fists. A brawl ensues, spilling out onto the streets of Lichfield. The locals enjoy the fight, often getting caught up in the action themselves as Will takes exception to their attitude, or to getting slops poured over his head. Meanwhile, Guy arrives in the town, and tries to get the assistance of the Lichfield watch, but they are initially uninterested in arresting the famous Robin Hood, Little John and Will Scarlet, as they are outlaws in Nottingham, not Lichfield. That is, until they discover that the wolfsheads are worth thirty silver marks each.
After Will has fallen through the roof of a building, Robert offers him a drink of ale, but after downing it Scarlet smashes the jug over Robert's head and the fight continues.
The watch finally organise themselves to come after the outlaws, and the others grab Robert and Scarlet, dunk them in a water trough, and flee. Gisburne sees them riding off, rushes into the tavern that the watch are searching, and promptly falls headlong into the cellar where they've opened the trapdoor. "Sorry about that Ginburg."
Now sobered up, Will is disbelieving that Herne chose the son of an earl to lead them, and scathing about their chances of getting Marion out of Clun Castle.
Will: "Doesn't understand, does he? We're not sharp anymore, not like we were. I mean look at us, look at me! You really think you'd have beaten me if I hadn't've been drunk? And look at you two. Been sitting on your bums for a year looking at sheep! And Tuck, been stuffing your belly full of venison and sleeping all day. We used to be fast, fast as wolves. No one could take us. We could go anywhere, do anything. We've lost it."
Robert: "No Scarlet, nothing's forgotten, nothing's ever forgotten."
Will: "What did you say?"
Robert: "You heard me."
Will: "No, it wasn't you I heard."
Robert: "Does it matter?"
They wonder about where Nasir went, Will guessing that he went back to his people, or is dead. Robert asks if they could get others, but Scarlet says that they couldn't, not like Nasir.
Nasir is in the fighting pit in Clun Castle, practicing his moves when he is attacked by Grendel and two of his men, all of whom he defeats. Owen looks on, pleased with Nasir's skills, and tells him he is to fight at his wedding feast.
Marion tries to escape, seeing Nasir as she is trapped by two guards. Then Gulnar mesmerises her with a skull; he gives her the potion which works instantly, and he looks nervous as she eagerly grabs his face.
It is the Lord of Clun's wedding day, and his hall is full with people holding flaming torches. Marion appears, blue paint across her eyes to match Owen. Gulnar presides over the ceremony, leading her to the dais where she kneels and kisses her new husband's feet. The pair kiss passionately and the guests chant as Gulnar's face twitches.
Up on a hill by the castle, Robert and the others attack the men guarding the signal fire. One man manages to light the fire before he is killed and Robert rushes to put it out.
Nasir and his opponent are led into the arena while Owen and another lord wager which of their champions will win. Nasir looks up and sees Marion and Owen kissing, then the fight begins.
Robert leads a couple of horses loaded with goods up to the gate of the castle and tells the guards he is Frederick the pedlar selling linen, silk, and spices from India. They lift the portcullis and inspect his wares whereupon they are attacked by him, Much and Scarlet. Tuck and John rush in with poles to prop up the portcullis as they cut the ropes holding it up. Robert, John and Scarlet make their way into the castle, wondering where everyone is.
They make their way into the hall as the fight continues, then Nasir gores his opponent with the spike on top of his helmet. Will recognises the style of fighting, but doesn't realise who it is. Owen asks who will challenge his champion and Robert steps forward, saying he will fight for Marion to which Owen replies, "You're too late my young fighting cock! She's mine!"
Robert goads him and Owen accepts his challenge, calling him a fool for coming there alone. Robert claims he has one thousand men outside in the valley, but Owen doesn't believe him, as the signal fire would have been lit if that were the case. He tells him to get in the arena and says to Marion that Robert is a dead man either way.
Tuck attempts to light the signal fire, but is having problems getting a spark to take.
Robert and Nasir start to fight, as Will and John look on, hidden in the shadows. Robert manages to knock off Nasir's helmet and recognises him, though of course Nasir has no idea who he is.
Tuck finally gets the fire to light.
Robert is now not fighting to kill, pushing Nasir away rather than cutting him. Scarlet and John manage to signal to Nasir not to kill Robert and he puts on a show, before boosting Robert up to the dais where he gets Owen at knife point. Threatening to kill Owen if he doesn't do what he says he gets him to jump down into the arena along with John and Scarlet and the enchanted Marion. A guard announces that the beacon is alight and the castle under attack. Soldiers try to lower the portcullis but cannot as the ropes have been cut. Robert and the others, Nasir with Marion unconscious over his shoulder, make their way slowly through the courtyard, and with Owen held hostage between them no one in the castle will attack.
At the gate Owen makes a break, and while the others escape, Robert holds him at bay, waiting for Much to use the horses to pull the poles away from the portcullis. The animals are skittish, and Robert is getting desperate, but eventually Much gets them to move and the portcullis falls just as Owen is underneath, killing him. Gulnar screams in despair, despite having predicted Owen's end.
Having recovered, Marion explains to the others that she was given something to drink, and then everything was like a nightmare, until they came and saved her, and she thanks them.
Gisburne, limping on a crutch with what looks like a broken foot, announces to Hugo and the Sheriff that Sir Richard of Leaford has arrived. The Sheriff points out that it's the last day of the month, and his repayment is due. Richard begs Hugo to show him some mercy, but Hugo just points to the contract he signed. They gloat, especially as they think he has failed to save his daughter, but then he produces two bags containing five hundred gold marks and angrily slams them on the table, pointing out that they cheated him, and he shows them Marion waiting for him outside.
Sir Richard and Marion say goodbye to Robert, and she waves farewell to the other outlaws as she leaves with her father. She asks Robert if he thinks that they will accept him as their leader and he replies, "Would you?"
Herne appears behind the outlaws.
Comments
When Robert rides up to the Sheriff, Gisburne and Hugo he makes a great impression with his hair and cloak flowing in the wind. I also feel that the way he introduces himself is a cheeky nod to Jason's father's most famous role:
"I'm Huntingdon, Robert of Huntingdon."
"The name's Bond, James Bond."
Richard does very well fighting off Clun's soldiers, showing that he hasn't forgotten the skills he developed in the Crusades.
I wonder what Nasir has been doing for the last year? It's very lucky that he's in just the right place to help Richard and end up in the story.
Marion crying after being captured by Owen seems out of character, but since she's seen that he likes her being spirited, maybe she's trying to be the opposite to put him off?
Where does Richard get the five hundred marks from? My guess would be from his friend, the Earl of Huntingdon, who seems keen to help him in whatever way he can. That whole plotline seems to be inspired by the Robin Hood ballad, A Geste of Robyn Hode (summary from Wikipedia):
Robin Hood refuses to eat unless he has a guest. Little John finds a sorrowful knight (who is later named as Sir Richard at the Lee) and compels him to come. When Robin asks how much money he has, the knight says he has ten shillings. They demand to know how this came about, and the knight explains that his son killed two men, and he had to spend all his money, and mortgage his land, to save him. Robin lends him the required four hundred pounds on the security of St. Mary. The knight pretends that he still has not acquired the gold and pleads with the abbot for mercy. The abbot insists on payment, and the knight reveals his deception and pays him, telling him that had the abbot shown leniency, the knight would have rewarded him.
Gisburne uses his head in these episodes, figuring out that Robert is working with the outlaws. The Sheriff is very eager to dismiss him, perhaps partly because he can't believe that Robert would give up his privilege, partly because he's threatened by Guy showing some brains. However, I'm not sure how Gisburne knew to look in Lichfield for the outlaws. He must have been doing some excellent detective work to find out that Will had a brother there.
Why does Gulnar seem to get Owen in position to die, and yet is so sad? Did he want his prediction to come true? Was his vision unclear, and he thought the portcullis might signal his master's moment of triumph?
What happens to the arrangement King John wants with Clun? Does he manage to arrange it with his successor?
There are some interesting behind-the-scenes photos from this episode, showing that the scenes at Huntingdon Castle included a feast where all the characters were sitting at tables and eating, as well as the mingling and dancing we saw in the show. I'm also guessing that the dry ice/smoke was a bit problematic, as you can see some of the actors wearing face masks.
Bloopers
The hut that the outlaws were imprisoned in looks different a year later. Instead of the wattle and daub construction that Robert broke through so easily it is now made of boards of wood.
As far as I know, Edward getting whacked in the face by Gisburne's horse actually happened and Jeremy Bulloch hurt his face, but it was left in since that's what Gisburne would have done anyway!
Best moments and lines
It's a great scene when the Sheriff, Abbot Hugo and Gisburne meet Sir Richard and Marion, with so many snide comments, backtracking from the Sheriff, and funny looks on Guy's face.
I love the use of the dancing in Huntingdon Castle. It makes the scene look different from all the other scenes in castles in the series so far, and allows Marion to have interactions with Guy, Robert and then Owen.
The brawl between Scarlet and Robert is so well choreographed, it must be one of the best fight sequences on television, especially of the time. It's humorous, with all the onlookers getting involved and the other outlaws and Amos making funny comments, and looks pretty rough and brutal on the two fighters.
The Lichfield watch are such a great little creation, and their interactions withGinsborne Ginburg Gisburne, are comedy gold.
The two gossiping ladies are a good way to get up to speed with what happened to Marion after Loxley's death:
"So that's Marion of Leaford."
"She should have been hanged."
"Then why wasn't she?"
"The King pardoned her."
"And was she grateful?"
"Why else would he have pardoned her?"
Earl: "Why didn't he come to me?"
Robert: "Would you have helped him?"
Earl: "Not by giving him men at arms."
Robert: "What would you have given him? Pity?"
Gisburne: "I never forget a horse."
John: "Lichfield! That's where his brother lives. I knew it began with L"
Tuck: "And it'll end in 'ell if I know Scarlet."
Owen: "You're too stupid to live!"
Sir Richard: "Five hundred gold marks! Count them, you conniving villains! I'd like to push every last piece down your rapacious throats!"
Review
These episodes are the start of a new series of Robin of Sherwood, with a new Robin Hood. However, the show doesn't jump straight into the new scenario, it takes us slowly through what has happened, with a long sequence at the beginning going over the tragic events at the end of The Greatest Enemy and connecting them, via the character of Robert of Huntingdon, with what is going to happen next. In this way it honours the character of Robin of Loxley and proves the point of the oft-repeated line that nothing is forgotten.
A year has passed since Robin's death, and after rescuing the outlaws Robert chose not to take up the mantle of Herne's Son. The wolfsheads are scattered, and this story has to give a reason why Robert should give up his privileged life, and how he can persuade the others to come back together. We are given a hero who is very different from Loxley in more than hair colour. Loxley was young, but he'd also lived a tough and brutal life, and was cautious because of his social position. Robert is young and impetuous, outranked by no one around him apart from his father; he's inexperienced and naïve, all of which is pointed out to him by both Herne and the Earl. He probably has idealistic ideas about fighting for the poor and oppressed, but the massive leap from Earl's son to Herne's son is too large to take at first. It takes the plight of a beautiful young woman, in a situation that he is aware he may have partially caused, to push him into action. This is where he has to make a decision, to actually give up his pleasant life in order to truly help others. Where Loxley had a choice between fighting and running away, Huntingdon must choose between fighting, and losing power, wealth and comfort.
Once he's made his choice, he has to get help, and get Robin's men back together. The show cleverly turns this into a sort of road movie, where he has to find each one and then persuade them to help him. He tries reasoning with them, but it seems that fighting them is often the easiest way to gain their respect, especially if they won't look past his status. The series of fights he has with each of the merry men (apart from Much) is most entertaining and varied, and gives the show the opportunity to showcase some excellent choreography and action.
All of this is presented as part of a good solid plot with an entertaining villain, who is given a good amount of colourful background and motivation. We are also not short-changed in our regular bad guys, with the Sheriff, Gisburne and Abbot Hugo providing the sort of behaviour we've come to expect from them over the previous two series.
Marion has a smaller role in this story - as a catalyst for Robert becoming Herne's son she has relatively little to do, though it must have been interesting for Judi Trott to play such a different version of the character when she is enchanted. Robert obviously starts to fall in love with her as soon as he meets her, but she is still mourning Loxley and is missing her friends, and we have to wait until the next episode to find out more of what she is thinking and feeling.
Cast in order of appearance
Herne the Hunter................John Abineri
The Sheriff of Nottingham....Nickolas Grace
Nasir.................................Mark Ryan
Friar Tuck...........................Phil Rose
Sir Guy of Gisburne.............Robert Addie
Will Scarlet.........................Ray Winstone
Little John..........................Clive Mantle
Much.................................Peter Llewellyn Williams
Marion...............................Judi Trott
Robert of Huntingdon...........Jason Connery
Lord Owen of Clun...............Oliver Cotton
Gulnar................................Richard O'Brien
Grendel..............................James Coombes
Rival Marcher Lord...............Keith Bartlett
Marcher Lords.....................Bradley Lavelle and Nicholas Pritchard
Abbot Hugo.........................Philip Jackson
Herald at Huntingdon...........Timothy Roland
Sir Richard of Leaford...........George Baker
First Lady............................Serena Harragin
Second Lady........................Miranda Coe
The Earl of Huntingdon.........Michael Craig
Young Lord.........................Terry Shepherd
Edward of Wickham.............Jeremy Bulloch
Poacher..............................Derek Graham
Amos Scathlock...................Graham Chinn
Sergeant Sparrow................Daniel Peacock
Ambrose.............................Ivan Steward
Series created by Richard Carpenter
Executive Producer and Story Consultant - Paul Knight
Executive Producer - Patrick Dromgoole
Produced by Esta Charkham
Directed by Robert Young
Locations
Azimghur Army Barracks, North Colerne, Wiltshire - contained set of fighting arena in Clun Castle.
Barton Hill Trading Estate - contained the set for room in Nottingham Castle where Sir Richard makes a contract with the de Rainault brothers.
Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire - inner ward used as part of Huntingdon Castle, where sir Richard and Marion say goodbye to the Earl and leave on their horses.
Bodiam Castle, East Sussex - exterior shot of Huntingdon Castle.
Castle Combe, Wiltshire - used for Wickham village set.
Cheddar, Somerset - the area where John and Much are tending sheep (the stone structure with their shelter was made by the production team) is at Warren Farm. Elsewhere in the area the scenes of Nasir rescuing Sir Richard, and the signal fire scenes, were shot.
Hinton Priory - used for Lichfield.
Kidwelly Castle, Carmarthenshire - used for exterior of Clun Castle, as well as the area the outlaws walk through with Owen at knifepoint, and the portcullis area.
Leigh Woods, Somerset - woodland scenes.
Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Apostles - contained set for the Hall of Huntingdon Castle.
Episode guide written by Lucy of Ravenscar.
Location information compiled from Trail of Robin of Sherwood Location Guide, and Hooded Man volume one by Andrew Orton, as well as from personal visits.
Herne's Son
Original Transmission Date: 5th and 12th April 1986
Written by Richard Carpenter
Story
Part One
"I am Herne The Hunter and you are a leaf driven by the wind."
"Nothing's forgotten, nothing is ever forgotten."
"So he is free."
We see images of the end of Loxley, starting with Herne and the mysterious Hooded Man, Loxley being killed, and the outlaws firing flaming arrows for him. In sepia tones we see them remembering Gisburne telling them that Robin was dead, Marion telling Much and standing with Albion as the others arrive, with Robin's voice telling her to live. As the wind rustles in the leaves we hear Herne's voice, "The Hooded Man shall come to the forest, there to meet with Herne the Hunter, to be his son and do his bidding."
The Hooded Man stands in Wickham and the Sheriff's men fail to shoot him.
One more arrow flies into the lake and the outlaws turn to see the Hooded Man, who walks away from them. He pushes off his hood and we can see his face, a young man with blond hair. He hears Herne telling him he is Herne's son and that he has to lead them. The man replies that Herne's son is dead, and Herne says, "Robin of Loxley is dead. Herne's son lives again in you." We see Herne lift a bow and arrows while the man silently refuses the mantle of Herne's son. He says that it's over now that Loxley's followers are safe, and finally puts down his own bow and arrows saying, "Farewell Herne". But Herne has the last word, saying that he will return.
In a castle under a dark sky two men in leather helmets are fighting in an arena while a crowd cheer them on, and bets are made between two leaders as to which will win. The champion of the lord of this castle, Owen of Clun, is the victor, and he celebrates noisily.
The Sheriff and Guy of Gisburne are riding through Sherwood with Hugo de Rainault travelling in a cart. Robert is pleased to be able to travel easily through Sherwood now that Robin is dead, but Hugo points out that many people don't believe he really died, and Guy says that they should have brought the body back. Robert angrily points out that it was unrecognisable, and wonders where the other outlaws went. Guy says that they scattered, and that he intends to hunt them down, along with the man who rescued them.
Along the track a young, well-dressed man on a horse rides towards them and we see that it is the man that Herne called to be his son. As Hugo dismissively says, "Who's this peacock?" the man introduces himself, "I'm Huntingdon, Robert of Huntingdon. The Earl's my father."
In Huntingdon Castle Sir Richard of Leaford and Marion are announced, and a couple of girls gossip about how she got her pardon. They greet the Earl of Huntingdon, who is obviously an old friend of Sir Richard. The Earl complains about having to ingratiate himself with a mad man like Owen of Clun, just because his castle is on the Welsh border.
Clun and his men ride up in sight of the castle, and the Sheriff, his brother and Gisburne are announced inside. They go to talk with Sir Richard and can't hide that they are disappointed that Marion was pardoned. The Earl tells them to be silent, he will not have his guests abused, and rebukes the Sheriff for his seditious comments about the King.
Lord Owen of Clun is announced, and in a silent hall greets the Earl with a bear hug. A stately candle dance begins, with four pairs of dancers. Guy takes the opportunity to try to provoke Marion while Owen and his men watch and drink, appreciating Marion's beauty, and Robert warns her to keep away from Clun. The dance ends, but Owen gets up to partner Marion and tells the musicians to start again. She moves tensely through the steps, as he follows her around, and at the end he grabs her and kisses her, to the laughter of his men. She punches him in the face and walks off, to which he reacts, "I think I'm in love!"
Robert doesn't take kindly to this, and asks him to apologise, but Owen draws his sword and a fight ensues, with the Earl screaming at his son to stop. The fight ends over a fire, when Robert forces Owen to drop his sword. Clun demands that Robert be punished and the Earl tells his son to apologise, but he just walks off. Clun says that if he doesn't get an apology none of the King's soldiers will cross his land. The Earl heads up to Roberts room, and angrily points out that Robert is showing no respect to him, and is acting like an empty-headed fool. He tells him to beg forgiveness of Clun in the morning.
Early next morning Sir Richard and Marion leave for home, and the Earl tells his son to wake Owen of Clun up if necessary to humble himself before him. Going into the hall of sleeping people he finds Owen snoring in a chair. Robert tips it up and, as he lies on the floor says, "My apology." Furious, Clun rides off with his men, after the Sheriff has told him that Marion has taken the Leaford road.
Sir Richard and Marion stop on their journey to rest, when Owen's soldiers come riding over the hills to attack. Her father sends her riding off and tries to protect her but he is knocked off his horse and she is captured.
A wolf howls at a flock of sheep but Much and John chase him off, and Much shoots the wolf. John says the dead wolf will be worth money from the local lord.
Much: "Six pennies for a wolf's head?"
John: "Aye, a wolf's head. Ours were worth much more."
Sir Richard is at Nottingham Castle, asking for help from the Sheriff. He needs soldiers to get Marion back, but the Earl can't help him as he is supposed to develop good relations with Clun for the King. The sheriff offers the use of his soldiers for 500 marks, an extortionate price, but Sir Richard has to agree, and signs away his lands if he cannot pay. De Rainault secretly arranges to tell Owen to expect the attack, instructing Guy to run away as soon as Clun's soldiers turn up.
At Clun Castle Marion is distraught and crying, to Owen's annoyance as he tell her she is to be his wife.
Sir Richard and Gisburne approach Clun Castle, with Nasir watching from a distance. When Owen's men attack Sir Richard is left to fight alone as his crusader skills come to the fore. Nasir comes to help him, allowing Sir Richard to escape, but Nasir is outnumbered and captured.
Owen watches his champion be defeated and killed in the arena, with Marion at his side. His captain, Grendel, arrives with the news that Sir Richard has fled, earning him a punch in the face and the position of champion. Luckily for him Owen then notices Nasir, and being told about his fighting prowess, decides that he should be the next champion.
The Earl of Huntingdon has received a letter from Sir Richard, telling him what has happened to Marion. He tells his son that he caused this as he enraged Owen of Clun. Thinking about this, Robert re-reads the letter.
We see Herne in his cave surrounded by fires, and hear him say, "The Hooded Man shall come to the forest, there to meet with Herne the Hunter, to be his son and do his bidding."
Robert rides to Herne and asks for his help to rescue Marion, since he is Herne's son. Herne replies, "Are you? You told me he was dead. Denied your destiny, deserted those who would have followed you. But Marion is in danger and so you return."
Herne tells him to look to the past, and disappears, leaving him a bow and a quiver of arrows.
Robert rides into Wickham and is greeted by Edward, who acts confused when Robert talks about Herne, until he shows that he remembers what happened a year ago when the outlaws were captured in Wickham. Edward tells him that most of the outlaws have gone, that perhaps they quarrelled, and that only Tuck remains in Sherwood. Gisburne then arrives in the village, noticing Robert's grey horse, which he feels he recognises. Edward says they're looking for its rider, and Guy leaves, telling him to bring him the horse if they don't find him.
The villagers give Robert new clothes, as he says he has left his old life behind, and he drinks with them saying, "Herne protect us."
We hear Herne's voice saying, "Bring hope to those that have none, freedom to those in chains, justice to those that have been wronged. Find them, bring them together. Lead them."
In Clun Castle Grendel instructs Nasir in the use of the dagger and sword that are the weapons of the arena, and he proves to be more than proficient.
Robert comes to a stream in Sherwood and sees some fish on the bank. Suddenly he is attacked by Tuck, who pulls him into the river where they fight until Robert is able to tell him about Marion. Drying out by the fire, Tuck tells him that Little John and Much went to Hathersage, but he doesn't know where the others are.
They leave for Hathersage together, spotted by a man who tells the Sheriff that he's seen Robin Hood riding off with Tuck. Told that he was riding a grey horse, and since he has now remembered the owner of the horse in Wickham, Gisburne thinks that he know who the man is - Robert of Huntingdon! The Sheriff wonders why Robert would bother himself with outlaws but Guy has the answer, it's because of Marion.
Robert and Tuck ride towards Hathersage.
Part Two
John and Much are looking after their sheep when they see Tuck and a stranger riding towards them. They are friendly but wary with Tuck, and rather dubious when introduced to Robert of Huntingdon, asking for their help. John is not interested in helping Marion, not even when Tuck tells him that Robert rescued them the year before, as he wonders why Robert didn't stay. He's even less impressed that Robert is an earl's son, asking why an earl or Sir Richard can't help Marion, and bitter that she received a pardon when they did not. Robert tries to get through to him.
Robert: "You believed in Robin, didn't you?"
John: "Yes, I did."
Robert: "Why?"
John: "Because the fire burned bright in him and for a while it warmed us all. Now he's gone, and the fire went with him. It's all over."
John angrily states that as Robert is one of the nobility he has no idea what it's like for them, and rather than continue debating, Robert simply insults him, "Little John, little brain more like!"
John gets his quarterstaff, Robert borrows Much's, and they fight. John uses all his strength and skill, but Robert has a trick up his sleeve, and disarms him. Continuing to fight, john wipes the smile off Robert's face by smashing his knuckles. They are about to go again when Tuck stops them. Going back to their shelter, Robert tries to explain why he hadn't stayed with the outlaws after Robin's death. He had been brought up to become the next earl, and he didn't feel he could take Loxley's place, even though he saw injustice everywhere. He admits he lacked courage. He tells John how Marion had appeared heart-broken when he saw her, and that she was still one of them. John agreed that he, indeed all of them, had lacked courage in the wake of Robin's death, and that he's realised he can't go back to being a shepherd. He asks Robert where he learned to use a quarterstaff, admitting that the guard had taught him quite well, and then says that he is with him.
John tells Much that there are twenty-seven pennies buried under the threshold if he doesn't come back, but Much insists that he is coming too. When John tries to dismiss him, he states that he has more right than anybody, since Robin died for him and Marion. Tuck agrees that he's a man now, and they agree to leave together.
Gisburne is still insisting that the Hooded Man is Robert of Huntingdon and although the Sheriff is dubious he lets him leave to try and prove it.
Sharing some food, Robert asks the others if they know where Scarlet is. John thinks he has a brother with an ale house, and eventually remembers that the brother lives in Lichfield, though he thinks Will won't join them anyway, after the quarrel they had.
Owen's right-hand man and sorcerer, Gulnar, is working on a potion. He tells Owen that he will wed Marion at the feast of Arianrhod in three days' time and gives him the potion that will make her willing. A criss-cross shadow over Owen's face makes Gulnar uneasy, but he doesn’t tell Owen why.
Robert and the outlaws ride into Lichfield and enter a tavern, asking for anyone named Scathlock. Will's brother comes forward but is not very helpful, then Will swaggers in, downs a mug of ale, and when Robert introduces himself as Herne's son, smacks him in the face. Robert realises there's no point in talking with Scarlet, so he tries to persuade him with his fists. A brawl ensues, spilling out onto the streets of Lichfield. The locals enjoy the fight, often getting caught up in the action themselves as Will takes exception to their attitude, or to getting slops poured over his head. Meanwhile, Guy arrives in the town, and tries to get the assistance of the Lichfield watch, but they are initially uninterested in arresting the famous Robin Hood, Little John and Will Scarlet, as they are outlaws in Nottingham, not Lichfield. That is, until they discover that the wolfsheads are worth thirty silver marks each.
After Will has fallen through the roof of a building, Robert offers him a drink of ale, but after downing it Scarlet smashes the jug over Robert's head and the fight continues.
The watch finally organise themselves to come after the outlaws, and the others grab Robert and Scarlet, dunk them in a water trough, and flee. Gisburne sees them riding off, rushes into the tavern that the watch are searching, and promptly falls headlong into the cellar where they've opened the trapdoor. "Sorry about that Ginburg."
Now sobered up, Will is disbelieving that Herne chose the son of an earl to lead them, and scathing about their chances of getting Marion out of Clun Castle.
Will: "Doesn't understand, does he? We're not sharp anymore, not like we were. I mean look at us, look at me! You really think you'd have beaten me if I hadn't've been drunk? And look at you two. Been sitting on your bums for a year looking at sheep! And Tuck, been stuffing your belly full of venison and sleeping all day. We used to be fast, fast as wolves. No one could take us. We could go anywhere, do anything. We've lost it."
Robert: "No Scarlet, nothing's forgotten, nothing's ever forgotten."
Will: "What did you say?"
Robert: "You heard me."
Will: "No, it wasn't you I heard."
Robert: "Does it matter?"
They wonder about where Nasir went, Will guessing that he went back to his people, or is dead. Robert asks if they could get others, but Scarlet says that they couldn't, not like Nasir.
Nasir is in the fighting pit in Clun Castle, practicing his moves when he is attacked by Grendel and two of his men, all of whom he defeats. Owen looks on, pleased with Nasir's skills, and tells him he is to fight at his wedding feast.
Marion tries to escape, seeing Nasir as she is trapped by two guards. Then Gulnar mesmerises her with a skull; he gives her the potion which works instantly, and he looks nervous as she eagerly grabs his face.
It is the Lord of Clun's wedding day, and his hall is full with people holding flaming torches. Marion appears, blue paint across her eyes to match Owen. Gulnar presides over the ceremony, leading her to the dais where she kneels and kisses her new husband's feet. The pair kiss passionately and the guests chant as Gulnar's face twitches.
Up on a hill by the castle, Robert and the others attack the men guarding the signal fire. One man manages to light the fire before he is killed and Robert rushes to put it out.
Nasir and his opponent are led into the arena while Owen and another lord wager which of their champions will win. Nasir looks up and sees Marion and Owen kissing, then the fight begins.
Robert leads a couple of horses loaded with goods up to the gate of the castle and tells the guards he is Frederick the pedlar selling linen, silk, and spices from India. They lift the portcullis and inspect his wares whereupon they are attacked by him, Much and Scarlet. Tuck and John rush in with poles to prop up the portcullis as they cut the ropes holding it up. Robert, John and Scarlet make their way into the castle, wondering where everyone is.
They make their way into the hall as the fight continues, then Nasir gores his opponent with the spike on top of his helmet. Will recognises the style of fighting, but doesn't realise who it is. Owen asks who will challenge his champion and Robert steps forward, saying he will fight for Marion to which Owen replies, "You're too late my young fighting cock! She's mine!"
Robert goads him and Owen accepts his challenge, calling him a fool for coming there alone. Robert claims he has one thousand men outside in the valley, but Owen doesn't believe him, as the signal fire would have been lit if that were the case. He tells him to get in the arena and says to Marion that Robert is a dead man either way.
Tuck attempts to light the signal fire, but is having problems getting a spark to take.
Robert and Nasir start to fight, as Will and John look on, hidden in the shadows. Robert manages to knock off Nasir's helmet and recognises him, though of course Nasir has no idea who he is.
Tuck finally gets the fire to light.
Robert is now not fighting to kill, pushing Nasir away rather than cutting him. Scarlet and John manage to signal to Nasir not to kill Robert and he puts on a show, before boosting Robert up to the dais where he gets Owen at knife point. Threatening to kill Owen if he doesn't do what he says he gets him to jump down into the arena along with John and Scarlet and the enchanted Marion. A guard announces that the beacon is alight and the castle under attack. Soldiers try to lower the portcullis but cannot as the ropes have been cut. Robert and the others, Nasir with Marion unconscious over his shoulder, make their way slowly through the courtyard, and with Owen held hostage between them no one in the castle will attack.
At the gate Owen makes a break, and while the others escape, Robert holds him at bay, waiting for Much to use the horses to pull the poles away from the portcullis. The animals are skittish, and Robert is getting desperate, but eventually Much gets them to move and the portcullis falls just as Owen is underneath, killing him. Gulnar screams in despair, despite having predicted Owen's end.
Having recovered, Marion explains to the others that she was given something to drink, and then everything was like a nightmare, until they came and saved her, and she thanks them.
Gisburne, limping on a crutch with what looks like a broken foot, announces to Hugo and the Sheriff that Sir Richard of Leaford has arrived. The Sheriff points out that it's the last day of the month, and his repayment is due. Richard begs Hugo to show him some mercy, but Hugo just points to the contract he signed. They gloat, especially as they think he has failed to save his daughter, but then he produces two bags containing five hundred gold marks and angrily slams them on the table, pointing out that they cheated him, and he shows them Marion waiting for him outside.
Sir Richard and Marion say goodbye to Robert, and she waves farewell to the other outlaws as she leaves with her father. She asks Robert if he thinks that they will accept him as their leader and he replies, "Would you?"
Herne appears behind the outlaws.
Comments
When Robert rides up to the Sheriff, Gisburne and Hugo he makes a great impression with his hair and cloak flowing in the wind. I also feel that the way he introduces himself is a cheeky nod to Jason's father's most famous role:
"I'm Huntingdon, Robert of Huntingdon."
"The name's Bond, James Bond."
Richard does very well fighting off Clun's soldiers, showing that he hasn't forgotten the skills he developed in the Crusades.
I wonder what Nasir has been doing for the last year? It's very lucky that he's in just the right place to help Richard and end up in the story.
Marion crying after being captured by Owen seems out of character, but since she's seen that he likes her being spirited, maybe she's trying to be the opposite to put him off?
Where does Richard get the five hundred marks from? My guess would be from his friend, the Earl of Huntingdon, who seems keen to help him in whatever way he can. That whole plotline seems to be inspired by the Robin Hood ballad, A Geste of Robyn Hode (summary from Wikipedia):
Robin Hood refuses to eat unless he has a guest. Little John finds a sorrowful knight (who is later named as Sir Richard at the Lee) and compels him to come. When Robin asks how much money he has, the knight says he has ten shillings. They demand to know how this came about, and the knight explains that his son killed two men, and he had to spend all his money, and mortgage his land, to save him. Robin lends him the required four hundred pounds on the security of St. Mary. The knight pretends that he still has not acquired the gold and pleads with the abbot for mercy. The abbot insists on payment, and the knight reveals his deception and pays him, telling him that had the abbot shown leniency, the knight would have rewarded him.
Gisburne uses his head in these episodes, figuring out that Robert is working with the outlaws. The Sheriff is very eager to dismiss him, perhaps partly because he can't believe that Robert would give up his privilege, partly because he's threatened by Guy showing some brains. However, I'm not sure how Gisburne knew to look in Lichfield for the outlaws. He must have been doing some excellent detective work to find out that Will had a brother there.
Why does Gulnar seem to get Owen in position to die, and yet is so sad? Did he want his prediction to come true? Was his vision unclear, and he thought the portcullis might signal his master's moment of triumph?
What happens to the arrangement King John wants with Clun? Does he manage to arrange it with his successor?
There are some interesting behind-the-scenes photos from this episode, showing that the scenes at Huntingdon Castle included a feast where all the characters were sitting at tables and eating, as well as the mingling and dancing we saw in the show. I'm also guessing that the dry ice/smoke was a bit problematic, as you can see some of the actors wearing face masks.
Bloopers
The hut that the outlaws were imprisoned in looks different a year later. Instead of the wattle and daub construction that Robert broke through so easily it is now made of boards of wood.
As far as I know, Edward getting whacked in the face by Gisburne's horse actually happened and Jeremy Bulloch hurt his face, but it was left in since that's what Gisburne would have done anyway!
Best moments and lines
It's a great scene when the Sheriff, Abbot Hugo and Gisburne meet Sir Richard and Marion, with so many snide comments, backtracking from the Sheriff, and funny looks on Guy's face.
I love the use of the dancing in Huntingdon Castle. It makes the scene look different from all the other scenes in castles in the series so far, and allows Marion to have interactions with Guy, Robert and then Owen.
The brawl between Scarlet and Robert is so well choreographed, it must be one of the best fight sequences on television, especially of the time. It's humorous, with all the onlookers getting involved and the other outlaws and Amos making funny comments, and looks pretty rough and brutal on the two fighters.
The Lichfield watch are such a great little creation, and their interactions with
The two gossiping ladies are a good way to get up to speed with what happened to Marion after Loxley's death:
"So that's Marion of Leaford."
"She should have been hanged."
"Then why wasn't she?"
"The King pardoned her."
"And was she grateful?"
"Why else would he have pardoned her?"
Earl: "Why didn't he come to me?"
Robert: "Would you have helped him?"
Earl: "Not by giving him men at arms."
Robert: "What would you have given him? Pity?"
Gisburne: "I never forget a horse."
John: "Lichfield! That's where his brother lives. I knew it began with L"
Tuck: "And it'll end in 'ell if I know Scarlet."
Owen: "You're too stupid to live!"
Sir Richard: "Five hundred gold marks! Count them, you conniving villains! I'd like to push every last piece down your rapacious throats!"
Review
These episodes are the start of a new series of Robin of Sherwood, with a new Robin Hood. However, the show doesn't jump straight into the new scenario, it takes us slowly through what has happened, with a long sequence at the beginning going over the tragic events at the end of The Greatest Enemy and connecting them, via the character of Robert of Huntingdon, with what is going to happen next. In this way it honours the character of Robin of Loxley and proves the point of the oft-repeated line that nothing is forgotten.
A year has passed since Robin's death, and after rescuing the outlaws Robert chose not to take up the mantle of Herne's Son. The wolfsheads are scattered, and this story has to give a reason why Robert should give up his privileged life, and how he can persuade the others to come back together. We are given a hero who is very different from Loxley in more than hair colour. Loxley was young, but he'd also lived a tough and brutal life, and was cautious because of his social position. Robert is young and impetuous, outranked by no one around him apart from his father; he's inexperienced and naïve, all of which is pointed out to him by both Herne and the Earl. He probably has idealistic ideas about fighting for the poor and oppressed, but the massive leap from Earl's son to Herne's son is too large to take at first. It takes the plight of a beautiful young woman, in a situation that he is aware he may have partially caused, to push him into action. This is where he has to make a decision, to actually give up his pleasant life in order to truly help others. Where Loxley had a choice between fighting and running away, Huntingdon must choose between fighting, and losing power, wealth and comfort.
Once he's made his choice, he has to get help, and get Robin's men back together. The show cleverly turns this into a sort of road movie, where he has to find each one and then persuade them to help him. He tries reasoning with them, but it seems that fighting them is often the easiest way to gain their respect, especially if they won't look past his status. The series of fights he has with each of the merry men (apart from Much) is most entertaining and varied, and gives the show the opportunity to showcase some excellent choreography and action.
All of this is presented as part of a good solid plot with an entertaining villain, who is given a good amount of colourful background and motivation. We are also not short-changed in our regular bad guys, with the Sheriff, Gisburne and Abbot Hugo providing the sort of behaviour we've come to expect from them over the previous two series.
Marion has a smaller role in this story - as a catalyst for Robert becoming Herne's son she has relatively little to do, though it must have been interesting for Judi Trott to play such a different version of the character when she is enchanted. Robert obviously starts to fall in love with her as soon as he meets her, but she is still mourning Loxley and is missing her friends, and we have to wait until the next episode to find out more of what she is thinking and feeling.
Cast in order of appearance
Herne the Hunter................John Abineri
The Sheriff of Nottingham....Nickolas Grace
Nasir.................................Mark Ryan
Friar Tuck...........................Phil Rose
Sir Guy of Gisburne.............Robert Addie
Will Scarlet.........................Ray Winstone
Little John..........................Clive Mantle
Much.................................Peter Llewellyn Williams
Marion...............................Judi Trott
Robert of Huntingdon...........Jason Connery
Lord Owen of Clun...............Oliver Cotton
Gulnar................................Richard O'Brien
Grendel..............................James Coombes
Rival Marcher Lord...............Keith Bartlett
Marcher Lords.....................Bradley Lavelle and Nicholas Pritchard
Abbot Hugo.........................Philip Jackson
Herald at Huntingdon...........Timothy Roland
Sir Richard of Leaford...........George Baker
First Lady............................Serena Harragin
Second Lady........................Miranda Coe
The Earl of Huntingdon.........Michael Craig
Young Lord.........................Terry Shepherd
Edward of Wickham.............Jeremy Bulloch
Poacher..............................Derek Graham
Amos Scathlock...................Graham Chinn
Sergeant Sparrow................Daniel Peacock
Ambrose.............................Ivan Steward
Series created by Richard Carpenter
Executive Producer and Story Consultant - Paul Knight
Executive Producer - Patrick Dromgoole
Produced by Esta Charkham
Directed by Robert Young
Locations
Azimghur Army Barracks, North Colerne, Wiltshire - contained set of fighting arena in Clun Castle.
Barton Hill Trading Estate - contained the set for room in Nottingham Castle where Sir Richard makes a contract with the de Rainault brothers.
Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire - inner ward used as part of Huntingdon Castle, where sir Richard and Marion say goodbye to the Earl and leave on their horses.
Bodiam Castle, East Sussex - exterior shot of Huntingdon Castle.
Castle Combe, Wiltshire - used for Wickham village set.
Cheddar, Somerset - the area where John and Much are tending sheep (the stone structure with their shelter was made by the production team) is at Warren Farm. Elsewhere in the area the scenes of Nasir rescuing Sir Richard, and the signal fire scenes, were shot.
Hinton Priory - used for Lichfield.
Kidwelly Castle, Carmarthenshire - used for exterior of Clun Castle, as well as the area the outlaws walk through with Owen at knifepoint, and the portcullis area.
Leigh Woods, Somerset - woodland scenes.
Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Apostles - contained set for the Hall of Huntingdon Castle.
Episode guide written by Lucy of Ravenscar.
Location information compiled from Trail of Robin of Sherwood Location Guide, and Hooded Man volume one by Andrew Orton, as well as from personal visits.