<Tr> <Th> ISBN </Th> <Td> 978 - 0 - 688 - 07178 - 3 (hardcover) 978 - 0698119598 (paperback, 2002 edition) </Td> </Tr> <P> The Outlaws of Sherwood is a retelling of the legend of Robin Hood by Robin McKinley . In McKinley's afterword, she says, "The retellings through the centuries have echoed concurrent preoccupations ." The story includes both the traditional Robin Hood characters--Little John, Much, Friar Tuck, Marian and Alan - a-dale--and characters of McKinley's own invention . Notably, three of the most important characters are women, all of whom escape marriage to prospective spouses chosen by their fathers . </P> <P> Robin is a forester in Sherwood forest . As he leaves an archery contest, someone shoots at him and only just misses . Without thinking, Robin returns fire and kills someone . Robin's friends Marian and Much convince him to become an outlaw . Robin hides in Sherwood Forest and gathers a band to oppose the tyrannous Sheriff of Nottingham . Unsurprisingly they rob the rich, give to the poor, and poach deer . </P> <P> Newcomers join the band, including the huge Little John and Will Scarlet . Will hears that his sister does not want to marry a Norman baron, but Robin refuses to help . A young minstrel named Alan - a-dale asks for help . His beloved, Marjorie, is to wed a baron and he wants to rescue her . The outlaws get Friar Tuck to perform the wedding ceremony and Marjorie marries Alan instead of the original groom . Alan and Marjorie join Robin's band, which takes in a mysterious young man called Cecil, who is later found to be a girl, and whom Will recognizes as his sister, Cecily . She stays in the band . </P>

Who led a gang of outlaws in sherwood forest