write up a clear structured analysis including ideals, actuals, and recommendations.

ROBIN HOOD Joseph Lampel New York University It was in the spring of the second year of The increasing size of the band was a his insurrection against the High Sheriff of source of satisfaction for Robin, but also a Nottingham that Robin Hood took a walk in source of concern. The fame of his Merrymen Sherwood Forest. As he walked he pondered was spreading, and new recruits were pour the progress of the campaign, the dispositioning in from every corner of England. As the of his forces, the Sheriff's recent moves, and the band grew larger, their small bivouac became options that confronted him. a major encampment. Between raids the men The revolt against the Sheriff had begun as milled about, talking and playing games. a personal crusade. It erupted out of Robin's Vigilance was in decline, and discipline was conflict with the Sheriff and his administra- becoming harder to enforce. "Why." Robin tion. However, alone Robin Hood could do reflected, "I don't know half the men I run little. He therefore sought allies, men with into these days." grievances and a deep sense of justice. Later he The growing band was also beginning to welcomed all who came, asking few questions exceed the food capacity of the forest. Game and demanding only a willingness to serve. was becoming scarce, and supplies had to be Strength, he believed, lay in numbers. obtained from outlying villages. The cost of He spent the first year forging the group into buying food was beginning to drain the band's a disciplined band, united in enmity against the financial reserves at the very moment when Sheriff and willing to live outside the law. The revenues were in decline. Travelers, especially band's organization was simple. Robin ruled those with the most to lose, were now giving supreme, making all important decisions. He the forest a wide berth. This was costly and delegated specific tasks to his lieutenants. Will inconvenient to them, but it was preferable to Scarlett was in charge of intelligence and scout having all their goods confiscated. ing. His main job was to shadow the Sheriff Robin believed that the time had come for and his men, always alert to their next move the Merrymen to change their policy of out- He also collected information on the travel right confiscation of goods to one of a fixed plans of rich merchants and tax collectors. transit tax. His lieutenants strongly resisted Little John kept discipline among the men and this idea. They were proud of the Merrymen's saw to it that their archery was at the high peak famous motto: "Rob the rich and give to the that their profession demanded. Scarlock took poor." "The farmers and the townspeople." care of the finances, converting loot to cash, they argued, "are our most important allies. paying shares of the take, and finding suitable How can we tax them, and still hope for their hiding places for the surplus. Finally, Much the help in our fight against the Sheriff?" Miller's son had the difficult task of provision- ing the ever-increasing band of Merrymen. Copyright 1991, by Joseph Lampel. 400 Part Two: Section C: Implementing and Executing Strategy Robin wondered how long the Merrymen Prince John was vicious and volatile. He could keep to the ways and methods of their was consumed by his unpopularity among early days. The Sheriff was growing stronger the people, who wanted the imprisoned King and becoming better organized. He now had Richard back. He also lived in constant fear the money and the men and was beginning to of the barons, who had first given him the harass the band, probing for its weaknesses. The regency but were now beginning to dispute tide of events was beginning to turn against the his claim to the throne. Several of these barons Merrymen. Robin felt that the campaign must had set out to collect the ransom that would be decisively concluded before the Sheriff had a release King Richard the Lionheart from his chance to deliver a mortal blow. "But how," he jail in Austria. Robin was invited to join the wondered, "could this be done?" conspiracy in return for future amnesty. It was Robin had often entertained the possibility a dangerous proposition. Provincial banditry of killing the Sheriff, but the chances for this was one thing, court intrigue another. Prince seemed increasingly remote. Besides, killing John had spies everywhere, and he was known the Sheriff might satisfy his personal thirst for for his vindictiveness. If the conspirators' plan revenge, but it would not improve the situa- failed, the pursuit would be relentless, and tion. Robin had hoped that the perpetual state retributions swift. of unrest, and the Sheriff's failure to collect The sound of the supper horn startled Robin taxes, would lead to his removal from office. from his thoughts. There was the smell of roast- Instead, the Sheriff used his political connec-ing venison in the air. Nothing was resolved tions to obtain reinforcement. He had powerful or settled. Robin headed for camp promising friends at court and was well regarded by the himself that he would give these problems his regent, Prince John. utmost attention after tomorrow's raid