The legend of Robin Hood first appeared in British literature in which of these years? Was it 1275, 1375, or 1475?

The first concrete literary reference to the legendary outlaw appears in William Langland's poem, "The Vision of Piers Plowman," written around the year 1377. This poem doesn't tell a story about Robin Hood, but rather mentions that "rhymes of Robyn Hood" were well-known at the time. In the poem, a character, a drunken priest, admits he doesn't know his prayers perfectly but he certainly knows the rhymes of Robin Hood. This passing comment is significant because it proves that tales of the outlaw were already a popular part of oral tradition and folklore among the common people long before they were written down.

This emergence into the literary record occurred during a turbulent period in English history. The 14th century was marked by social unrest and resentment towards authority, especially over oppressive forest laws that restricted hunting rights for the common people. These widespread feelings of discontent would eventually culminate in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. The stories of an outlaw who defied corrupt officials and championed the oppressed would have deeply appealed to the populace of the time.

The Robin Hood of these early ballads was a grittier figure than the one we often imagine today. Initially portrayed as a yeoman, a class of independent commoners, he was a staunch opponent of the Sheriff of Nottingham and a skilled archer. However, many of the now-famous elements of his legend, such as his noble birth as the Earl of Huntingdon, the character of Maid Marian, and even the motto of "robbing from the rich to give to the poor," were additions from later centuries. The legend has continuously evolved, with each generation adapting the hero of Sherwood Forest to reflect its own values.