In 1274, shortly after the return of Edward I from crusade, a great enquiry known as the Hundred Rolls was drawn up. The idea, essentially, was to hold a grand survey of corruption and lawlessness in England, and then stamp it out. Edward meant to show he was nothing if not ambitious.

The scheme proved too unwieldy, and was eventually shelved. However many of the returns survive, and provide lots of interesting detail on the state of affairs in England at this time.

The rolls for Nottinghamshire mention Walter Devyas and Roger Godberd - you will know of Walter from my recent posts. His associate, Godberd, is another well-known Robin Hood prototype.

The entry translates as follows: ”Whoever has released felons who were imprisoned, and has allowed them to depart by means of money and to escape from prison freely and without punishment; and whoever has extorted money for releasing prisoners by mainprise (surety), when they were not replevisable, and at what time.

They say that Hugh de Babington, sheriff of Nottingham, had in prison in Nottingham Castle the associates of Walter Denys and Roger Godberd—four men who were captured at Nordgrene—and he permitted them to go out of prison, not knowing by what warrant nor at what time.”

Hugh had captured four outlaws at the Northgrange - a grange belonging to Rufford Abbey inside Sherwood Forest - and imprisoned them at Nottingham Castle. Then he let them out for unknown reasons, though they should be obvious: money, either offered or extorted.

This sounds like a ballad in the making, although a good storyteller would polish it a bit.

Attached is the only surviving photograph of Hugh negotiating the deal.