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Robin of Locksley is a historical figure who was the Earl of Huntington. Robin Locksley's grave is often referred to locally as the grave of Robin Hood. But there are some problems with this theory. Locksley was from Yorkshire and not in Nottinghamshire, the setting of Robin's legend. Additionally, there is entirely no evidence that the Earl was an outlaw or bandit.<ref>Kennedy, p 412</ref> Moreover, it is highly unlikely that an aristocratic figure such as Locksley would ever have used a bow and arrow. The bow was a weapon that was used primarily by soldiers who were yeomen, not nobiles. Furthermore, in the earliest ballads, the hero is referred to as a commoner and most definitely not a noble, like the Earl of Huntingdon.
== Who are the other candidates for the real Robin Hood? ==
There was an outlaw called Robin Hood who had been outlawed in Yorkshire and not in Nottingham. He was known as Robin Hood of York. There are many references to him in local court records. However, this figure was not a great archer, and he did not steal from the rich and gave it to the poor. In reality, this Robin was outlawed because he owed money to the Church.
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