Evaluate the external and internal forces in this case by utilizing the SWOT Tool and come up with at least 2 strategies for Robin Hood.

Robin Hood Joseph Lampel New York University t was in the spring of the second year of his insur- rection against the High Sheriff of Nottingham est. As he walked he pondered the progress of the campaign, the disposition of his forces, the Sheriff's recent moves, and the options that confronted him. The revolt against the Sheriff had begun as a per sonal crusade. It erupted out of Robin's conflict with the Sheriff and his administration. However, alone Robin Hood could do little. He therefore sought al- lies, men with grievances and a deep sense of justice. Later he welcomed all who came, asking few ques- tions and demanding only a willingness to serve. Strength, he believed, lay in numbers He spent the first year forging the group into a disciplined band, united in enmity against the Sheriff and willing to live outside the law. The band's organi- zation was simple. Robin ruled supreme, making all important decisions. He delegated specific tasks to his lieutenants. Will Scarlett was in charge of intel- ligence and scouting. His main job was to shadow the Sheriff and his men, always alert to their next move. He also collected information on the travel plans of rich merchants and tax collectors. Little John kept dis- cipline among the men and saw to it that their archery was at the high peak that their profession demanded Scarlock took care of the finances, converting loot to cash, paying shares of the take, and finding suitable hiding places for the surplus. Finally, Much the Miller's son had the difficult task of provisioning the ever-increasing band of Merrymen. The increasing size of the band was a source of satisfaction for Robin, but also a source of concern. Copyright 1901. by Josephanel C-318 The fame of his Merrymen was spreading, and new recruits were pouring in from every corner of England. As the band grew larger, their small bivouac became a major encampment. Between raids the men milled about, talking and playing games. Vigilance was in decline, and discipline was becoming harder to enforce. "Why," Robin reflected, "I don't know half the men I run into these days." The growing band was also beginning to exceed the food capacity of the forest Game was becoming scurce, and supplies had to be obtained from outlying villages. The cost of buying food was beginning to drain the band's financial reserves at the very moment when revenues were in decline Travelers, especially those with the most to lose were now giving the for est a wide herth. This was costly and inconvenient to them, but it was preferable to having all their goods confiscated. Robin believed that the time had come for the Merrymen to change their policy of outright confis- cation of goods to one of a fixed transit tax. His lieu- tenants strongly resisted this idea. They were proud of the Merrymen's famous motto: "Rob the rich and give to the poort" "The farmers and the townspeo- ple," they argued, "are our most important allies. How can we tax them, and still hope for their help in our fight against the Sheril Robin wondered how long the Merrymen could keep to the ways and methods of their early days. The Sheriff was growing stronger and becoming bet- ter organized. He now had the money and the men and was beginning to harass the band probing for its weaknesses. The tide of events was beginning to turn against the Merrymen. Robin felt that the campaign must be decisively concluded before the Sheriff had a Case 22 Robin Hood C-319 chance to deliver a mortal blow. "But how" he won first given him the regency but were now beginning dered, "could this be done? to dispute his claim to the throne. Several of these Robin had often entertained the possibility of barons had set out to collect the ransom that would killing the Sheriff, but the chances for this seemed release King Richard the Lionheart from his jail in increasingly remote. Besides, killing the Sheriff Austria. Robin was invited to join the conspiracy in might satisfy his personal thirst for revenge, but it return for future amnesty. It was a dangerous propo- would not improve the situation. Robin had hoped sition. Provincial banditry was one thing, court in- that the perpetual state of unrest, and the Sheriff's trigue another. Prince John had spies everywhere, failure to collect taxes, would lead to his removal and he was known for his vindictiveness. If the con- from office. Instead, the Sheriff used his political spirators' plan failed, the pursuit would be relentless, connections to obtain reinforcement. He had powerful and retributions swift friends at court and was well regarded by the regent, The sound of the supper horn startled Robin Prince John. from his thoughts. There was the smell of roasting Prince John was vicious and volatile. He was venison in the air. Nothing was resolved or settled. consumed by his unpopularity among the people, Robin headed for camp promising himself that he who wanted the imprisoned King Richard back. He would give these problems his utmost attention after also lived in constant fear of the barons, who had tomorrow's raid