Little Johns, Hathersage, Robin Hood, Legend, Folklaw, John Little, Outlaw, Robin Hood’s lieutenant.

Some information taken from Explorer The Peak District
Following a walk around Hathersage Moore, my cousin and I went into Hathersage itself to find the Church and the Grave of Little John. He was supposed to have been a close friend of Robin Hood
There are some doubters that Little John ever existed.
Little John, as a character, is referenced, alongside Robin, in the very early 15th century poems by the likes of Andrew Wyntoun and Walter Bower. He is referred to, initially, as a cunning character. However, in later fables, he becomes dimmer and less capable. He tends to always be the second most prominent character, through fables and later television and film adaptions. He’s the only member of Hood’s Merry Men to be present in the ballad ‘Robin Hood’s Death’.
In later ballads, more of Little John’s character was revealed, and he was reputed to have originated from Hathersage and even settled there again in later life. He died in a small cottage by the River Derwent - in this site now lies a grade-II farmhouse named Nether House. It is also alleged that Little John chose his gravesite in St. Michael’s Church himself. He did this by firing an arrow from Robin Hood’s Stoop - a boundary stone located on nearby Offerton Moor - which landed in the Mew Tree above what became his burial site.
Hathersage records suggest that Little John’s longbow, alongside his cap, were on display inside St Michael’s Church in 1652. The items were later taken by the Shuttleworth family and put on display at their stately home, Cawthrone.
Little John’s grave was excavated in 1784, during which a thigh bone, measuring 30 inches long, was uncovered. This suggests a body of large stature is, in fact, buried in this plot of land, one measuring upwards of 8ft.
The care of Little Johns grave was undertaken by The Ancient Order Of Foresters Friendly Society.
Little John is a companion of Robin Hood who serves as his chief lieutenant and second-in-command of the Merry Men. He is one of only a handful of consistently named characters who relate to Robin Hood and one of the two oldest Merry Men, alongside Much the Miller's Son. His name is an ironic reference to his giant frame, as he is usually portrayed in legend as a huge warrior - a 7-foot-tall (2.1-metre) master of the quarterstaff. In folklore, he fought Robin Hood on a tree bridge across a river on their first meeting.
The first known reference in English verse to Robin Hood is found in The Vision of Piers Plowman, written by William Langland in the second part of the 14th century. Little John appears in the earliest recorded Robin Hood ballads and stories, and in one of the earliest references to Robin Hood by Andrew of Wyntoun in 1420 and by Walter Bower in 1440.[citation needed] In the early tales, Little John is shown to be intelligent and highly capable. In "A Gest of Robyn Hode", he captures the sorrowful knight and, when Robin Hood decides to pay the knight's mortgage for him, accompanies him as a servant. In "Robin Hood's Death", he is the only one of the Merry Men that Robin takes with him. In the 15th-century ballad commonly called "Robin Hood and the Monk", Little John leaves in anger after a dispute with Robin. When Robin Hood is captured, it is Little John who plans his leader's rescue. In thanks, Robin offers Little John leadership of the band, but John refuses. Later depictions of Little John portray him as less cunning.
The earliest ballads do not feature an origin story for this character. According to a 17th-century ballad, he was at least seven feet tall and introduced when he tried to prevent Robin from crossing a narrow bridge, whereupon they fought with quarterstaves, and Robin was overcome. Despite having won the duel, John agreed to join his band and fight alongside him. From then on he was called Little John in whimsical reference to his size. This scene is almost always re-enacted in film and television versions of the story. In some modern film versions, Little John loses the duel to Robin.
Little John's grave in St Michael's Church graveyard, Hathersage
Starting from the ballad tradition, Little John is commonly shown to be the only Merry Man present at Robin Hood's death.
Despite a lack of historical evidence for his existence, Little John is reputed to be buried in a churchyard in the village of Hathersage, Derbyshire. A modern tombstone marks the supposed location of his grave, which lies under an old yew tree. This grave was owned by the Nailor (Naylor) family, and sometimes some variation of "Nailer" is given as John's surname. In other versions of the legends, his name is given as John Little, losing the irony of his nickname.
According to local legend, Little John built himself a small cottage across the River Derwent from the family home.
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[@MrGreatplum]

What a beautifully maintained churchyard. A fine resting place for Little John.

[@KevinsRambles]

Thanks, is this Matthew? Yes we thought the same

[@MrGreatplum]

@@KevinsRambles - yes, it’s Matt H :)

[@KevinsRambles]

@@MrGreatplum I wanted to make sure I knew who it was, I didn't want to refer to you as a Greatplum lol. Thanks for checking out my videos

[@andrewnorris1]

Seems a fitting resting place for Little John.

[@KevinsRambles]

Thanks Andrew, yes it does but there is some dought if he ever existed

[@ramibu239]

That was really incredible Kevin. Beautiful church & cemetary. I was hoping though you were going to stop & read a bit of what those 2 big headstones to the right of Little John's said.🤔

[@KevinsRambles]

Thanks Ramibu 2 I will go back and look next time I am that way

[@michaelwhite8031]

I have had a bit of a binge on your video's today Kevin, Good stuff. Thank you !

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you Michael

[@robnewman6101]

Wow.

[@robnewman6101]

I have watched 1991 & 2010 Robin Hood Drama Medieval Period Movies.

[@robnewman6101]

All the Robin Hood Movie Dramas shows me How very Police-less Medieval Periods they had must of been like! No Constabulary either. No Police Officers to help people with bad situations! Can you imagine that?!

[@robnewman6101]

So I think what is so good about with living in the 21st Century today. Emergency Services in need. ✔️

[@michaelwhite8031]

Cool place Kevin.

[@KevinsRambles]

Very interesting seeing his grave

[@sbcutz7761]

Little John was a loyal companion to robin❤

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you SB CUTZ 😊. He certainly was. I want to go back there and film it all again and video the church

[@sbcutz7761]

Yah! Good luck❤

[@richawdon3856]

Amazing! Cheers!

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you Ric glad you enjoyed it

[@robnewman6101]

I have a Hardback DK Eyewitness Classics Book of Robin Hood.

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you, Rob 😊. I bet that is an interesting book to read.

[@robnewman6101]

It certainly is. Thank you.

[@robnewman6101]

By Neil Phillip. Illustrated by Nick Harris.

[@janicem9225]

Why has no one thought to exhume this grave, and the one that is supposed to be Robin Hood's? That would finally lay the legend to rest, of whether or not they existed, wouldn't it? Little John was supposed to be very tall, and if the skeletal remains in this grave are very tall, it would most likely be him. Once the bones have been removed and examined.... IF there are really any bones in the two graves, then they can be replaced in the graves, and both graves can truly be listed as their resting places.

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you Until Lambs Become Lions, I would think that has been suggested? But a very good point from you, Thank you. Can I ask a question? Why Until lambs become Lions, Are you a band? it seems like the name of a band? My son is in a band called Sumer (sounds like soomer) I do wonder sometimes where bands get their names from. Thanks for dropping by

[@WalkingMeatSuit]

There’s nothing left of John little his skeletal remains would have turned into dust by now especially after 776 years, 3 months and 28 days

[@jeanlilymanwaring7125]

Lovely video !

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you Jean very kind :-)

[@jeanlilymanwaring7125]

@@KevinsRambles Many more please !

[@KevinsRambles]

@@jeanlilymanwaring7125 Thank you 😊

[@fionadowson4550]

Little John, Much the Miller's son, Guy of Gisbourne and company, all live on through their stories. I you do like these legends you may wish to visit the Robin Hood's Merry Men Facebook group.

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you, Fiona 😊. I am going to be revisiting the Story of Robin Hood in March when I go to the Midlands in early March, very much looking forward to that 😀. Watch this space as they say. May I ask are you new to the channel? If so, you are very welcome; indeed, please spare the word.

[@paulsmith-oy3bu]

Legends normally spring feom the truth

[@KevinsRambles]

@paulsmith-oy3bu Thank you, Paul 😊. You might be right

[@paulsmith-oy3bu]

That's just wat I think anyway. Nice video

[@KevinsRambles]

@paulsmith-oy3bu Thank you, Paul 😊. We shall never know the truth like many of these legends, but it is good to have these ideas.

[@paulsmith-oy3bu]

Yep agree it good think he was real. An I think he was real but over the centuries. People's nature is to distort things. I actually make yew long bows an medieval. arrows as a hobby. Take care an thanku for your replies

[@KevinsRambles]

@paulsmith-oy3bu Thank you, Paul 😊. If you haven't already seen my video made at St Mary's of Edwinstowe, take a look at Greg that gave me a history lesson.

[@thinking-as-I-wander]

I always thought the story of Robin hood was a fable????........wow

[@KevinsRambles]

Hi Jeff, there are those that still think it was but the grave is there so take from that what you may. I still like to believe its true. Hope your well my friend?

[@debasiskayal9918]

I am not an Englishman but I still believe that He existed as our God Rama ♥️

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you Demasis. Yes I also believe he or someone of his type was around at that time. May I ask have you subscribed to my channel? If not I would be very pleased if you would :-)

[@debasiskayal9918]

@@KevinsRambles yes I did Sir

[@robnewman6101]

Hardback DORLING KINDERSLEY DK EYEWITNESS GUIDES Book of MEDIEVAL LIFE. Discover medieval Europe - from life in a country manor to the streets of a developing town.

[@jamesgoodman6243]

Would of been better if you had read the entire epitaph on Little John's tombstone for all of us viewers

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you, James 😊, My apologies for not doing so. When I did the video, it was only my 2 one. I would like to go back and redo it, but include the church as well.

[@steveack2004]

It's not real, it's the whole story was only a legend

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you, Steven 😊, Yes, that is what is said. But a little bit of fantasy doesn't hurt anyone 😊

[@jeanlilymanwaring7125]

Hello Steven - so what's with the grave under the yew tree and Little John's grave ? I thought they were fiction, just a legend but now I wonder !

[@dotdashdotdash]

There are actually chronicles listing someone of Robin's description operating in Sherwood, although the legends about him & his friends were definitely written long after.

[@WalkingMeatSuit]

There’s nothing left of John little his skeletal remains would have turned into dust by now especially after 776 years, 3 months and 28 days

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you 😊. If that is the case, even though skeletons have been found in tact after more than a thousand years, the legend and grave are still there.

[@WalkingMeatSuit]

@@KevinsRambles I’m not disputing that for a single minute it all comes down to how these historical figures were buried if they were buried within a pine wooded coffin chances are the remains would be perfectly in tack to some degree if said bodies were buried either just as they were or within rags then they’d erode at a much fast pace due to under ground bacterias along with organisms

[@KevinsRambles]

@WalkingMeatSuit ohhh I totally agree. It's not likely he would have had a shroud as you say he was probably just wrapped in rags if he had that at all? I really appreciate your input. I do love it when people engage in some with my content.