AT last, deadline day for repaying Robin’s generous loan came round. Sir Richard set off with a hundred men, carrying the gold and, as an extra thank-you, a hundred Welsh longbows.

However, they found their way over a bridge barred by an angry crowd. It seemed a young man from a distant village had unexpectedly won a wrestling match, and the locals were refusing to pay up. Sir Richard and his well-armed bodyguard sorted it out, but it took time, and when he finally reached Barnsdale Robin was waxing impatient.

But when the outlaw heard what the knight had done for the young man, he waved away Sir Richard’s apologies, and his money. After all, he said, Our Lady had kindly sent a monk from her Abbey, and repaid him twice over already.

Indeed, he gave Sir Richard another four hundred pounds, to buy himself a new horse and a suit of armour.

And they say there’s no honour among thieves!