the spoils and ransom." Robin held masses in greater veneration ever
after, stating, that Providence deserved still more from him, having
delivered him thus miraculously. At length, the infirmities of age
increasing, and having a great sickness upon him, Robin was desirous to
lose a little blood, and for that purpose he applied to the prioress of
Kirkleys Nunnery, in Yorkshire; who, though a relation, treacherously
suffered him to bleed to death, in, it is said, his 87th year. According
to Grafton's Chronicle, it is said that after his death, the prioress
caused him to be buried under a great stone "by the hywayes syde, and
upon his grave the sayde prioress did lay a very fayre stone, wherein
the names of Robert Hood, William of Goldesborough, and others were
graven. And the cause why she buryed him there was for that the common
passengers and travailers, knowyng and seeyng him there buryed, might
more safely and without feare take their jorneys that way, which they
durst not do in the life of the sayed outlawes; and at eyther ende of
the sayde tombe was erected a crosse of stone."

Amongst the papers of the learned Dr. Gale, late Dean of York, was found
this epitaph of Robin Hood, written in old English:


Hear underneath this laitl stean,
Laiz Robert, Earl of Huntingtun,
Near arcir ther az hie sa goud
An pipl kauld im Robin Heud,
Sick utlawz az hi an iz men
Wil England nivr si agen.

Obiit 24--kal dekembris, 1247.