THE 15th-century ballad of Robin Hood and The Monk is the earliest one to relate the tales of the outlaw.

In the story, Robyn Hode goes to St Mary's Church but is spotted by a monk who calls for the Sheriff and his men.

A fight breaks out and Robyn kills 12 men but is captured and thrown in a prison.

Litul Jon goes to rescue Robyn from the Sheriff's clutches.

"What is the cause," seid Litul Jon,

"Thou sparris the gates so fast?"

"Because of Robyn Hode," seid porter,

"In depe prison is cast.'

Little John kills the monk and frees Robin from the prison.

The Galleries have also just learnt more about the early Sheriffs.

Gerard de Atia, Sheriff between 1208-1209 and Philip Marc, Sheriff in 1209 – 1210 and again in 1214 – 1215 both had bad reputations.

The pair are mentioned in the Magna Carta after sparking hatred through robbery, false arrest and wrongful dispossession to line their pockets.