401 - Robin Hood: The Original Green Man (Nottingham talk)

I was invited to give this talk on Robin Hood in Nottingham—just a stone’s throw from Sherwood Forest—on the feast of Pentecost. What began as a reflection on a beloved folk hero opened into something deeper: a meditation on rebellion, trickery, legitimacy, and the strange holiness that's possible for jesters and outlaws. In this talk, I explore how Robin Hood, the Green Man, King David, and even figures from Islamic tradition and Arthurian legend, all point toward a surprising truth—that the margins of society can conceal servants of the true King. I hope you enjoy it.Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/7Q4LBLmeeMwCOURSE: Scripture: The Key to Reality, presented by Seraphim HamiltonThis course is designed to help students appreciate the unique role the Bible plays in helping us step into the world as it truly is: a symbolic revelation of the Infinite God. Scripture is symbolic because it is a revelation of Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ is the Archetype of the World. In a way, then, Scripture enfolds within itself the totality of the world, guiding its hearers to see an icon of Christ in each of God’s creatures: from trees to beasts to priests.- Live classes are on Tuesday at 2 - 4 pm Eastern Time, starting June 10th through July 22nd, 2025- Class Length: 5 sessions, 10 hours total- Cost: 120 USD (108 USD for Involved patrons)- Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/scripture-the-key-to-realityGet early access to Rapunzel and the Evil Witch: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/rapunzel-and-the-evil-witch💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🔒 BECOME A PATRON: https://thesymbolicworld.com/subscribe Timestamps:00:00 - Coming up01:30 - Intro music01:56 - Introduction by Jonathan03:34 - Introduction: The virtuous rebel06:10 - Who does Robin Hood resemble?09:40 - Green14:25 - A trickster for God16:39 - David25:41 - He loses at the edge39:24 - The Green man: Merlin45:25 - Q&A starts: St. Christopher46:39 - Sir Gawain and the Green Knight48:55 - Maid Marian and the Virgin Mary49:53 - Difference between giants and monsters51:20 - Intention53:01 - Robin Hood in politics54:10 - Marksmanship55:54 - Does the end justify the means57:42 - Is Robin Hood religious?59:06 - Locations and history01:01:38 - Humor in Christianity01:03:20 - Trickery01:06:46 - What goes around comes around01:08:15 - Downstream from the Gospel01:11:44 - Christ vs Robin Hood in historyOur website designers: https://www.resonancehq.io/ My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson: https://matthewwilkinson.net/