Robin Hood’s Grave, Kirklees Park

Slide 5 – On the brow of the hill, some distance away from the Gate House, is a railed-in space which has ever been known as Robin Hood’s grave. The grave is situated in a secluded part of the Park on the outskirts of a wood. The prospect from here is very beautiful, embracing a wide and extensive view of the Calder Valley. The stone which covers Robin Hood’s remains is enclosed within stone walls by iron rails at the top as well as around. We are told that the reason for protecting the stone was because, some years ago, a strange superstition existed in the neighbourhood to the effect that a piece of the tombstone placed under the pillow was a certain cure for toothache, and the consequence was that the stone which was entire in 1750, was gradually lessened in size until not more than one fourth of it now remains. The late Dr Robert Collyer, of the United States, but a Yorkshireman to the backbone, has written some spirited lines called “Saxon Grit” in which Robin Hood is thus spoken of:- To the merry greenwood went bold Robin Hood, With his stronghearted yeomanry ripe for the fray, Driving the arrow into the marrow, Of all the proud Normans who came in his way. Scorning the fetter, fearless and free, Dear to our Saxon folk ever is he.