ivyskeep

For the Fannish Fifty challenge: Robin Hood fans past a certain age and very likely Pagan leaning or at least tolerant will remember, Robin of Sherwood, the most paganized version of the legend that I know of. A character from English folklore, Herne the Hunter, featured heavily in the show as a sort of spiritual guide to Robin Hood. According to the series wiki, creator Richard Carpenter stated in an interview with Starlog magazine that he fashioned Herne after "the Pagan idea of the Horned God." He was also apparently influenced by the film, Wolfshead: The Legend of Robin Hood. It was made in 1969 for TV but released as a film in 1973.

Actor Michael Praed portrayed Robin of Loxley for the first two seasons. Then Jason Connery (yes, his dad's name was Sean) took on the role of Robert of Huntington in the third season who is eventually dubbed the new Robin by Herne.

There was a fan club based in Michigan called Spirit of Sherwood. I could kick myself for not checking them out sooner as they held many conventions in the area. Actors from the series would often be guests. The group still seems to be active in some way on Facebook.

Below are some scenes set to the music of the Irish band, Clannad, whose music was used throughout the series and gave many scenes a haunting mystical allure. A bit of trivia here. Band members are related to Enya, popular in New-Age and mainstream circles in the '90s. I mean, I was a massage therapist in that era for ten years. How could I not be a fan? Enya was everywhere. But that'll be another Fannish Fifty entry.

Dig that '80s hair! It's still my favorite rendition of the legend.