Origin[]
While Maid Marian had already been associated with Robin Hood in the plays for a number of years by the time the ballad Robin Hood's Birth, Breeding, Valor and Marriage was commissioned the ballad gives Robin's wife the name Clorinda. Clorinda retains some similarities to the traditional Marian by being an archer and shepherdess but she is not a swordsman while Marian was traditionally one of the best swordsmen in the tales. Clorinda's tale also differs from Marian's in how quickly she and Robin agree to get married while with Marian it took a while for their relationship to reach that point and traditionally she insists they put off the marriage itself until Robin earns his pardon.
Courting an Outlaw[]
She meets Robin and becomes engaged to him within the same day after flirting with him and impressing him with her archery skill. She does require of him that he attend the fair at Titbury/Tutbury in Staffordshire with her before they are wed and the two are wed by the Parson of Dubbridge at the close of the festivities.
Later Accounts[]
Her name is sometimes used as one of Maid Marian's aliases since Marian has for centuries been recognized by the public as Robin's love interest.
Appearances in Media[]
Ballads:[]
- Robin Hood's Birth, Breeding, Valor and Marriage
Literature:[]
- 1923 Robin Hood His Deeds and Adventures as Recounted in the Old English Ballads selected and illustrated by Lucy Fitch Perkins