Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, &c./Part 2/Robin Hood and Maid Marion
MAY-DAY—ROBIN HOOD AND MAID MARION.
In the sixteenth century, or perhaps earlier, Robin Hood presided in the May-Day pageant as lord of the May, and Maid Marion was the lady of the May. Their companions were distinguished as "Robin Hood's men," and were all dressed in "Lincoln green." In Garrick's collection of old plays is one entitled, "A New Play of Robin Hood, for to be played in the May-games: very pleasant and full of pastime." These May-games seem to have been acted, before the Reformation, within the walls of the old parish and Collegiate Church of Manchester; for Hollinworth says that John Bradford, the martyr, "preaching in Manchester in King Edward [the VI.'s] days, told the people, as it were by a prophetical spirit, that because they did not readily embrace the Word of God, mass should be said again in that church, and the play of Robin Hood acted there; which accordingly came to pass in Queen Mary's reign."