麻豆社

In medieval Sherwood Forest there were many places that offered refreshment. Everyone brewed ale. When the ale was ready to drink they would hang a bush out front - just like a roadside cafe puts out a sign today.

All forms of vendors would retail all sorts of commodities around taverns - even so-called miracle cures and the medieval equivalent of Viagra. Taverns would also be the regular haunt of spies serving both the outlaws and the Sheriff.

The special brew of 'Old October', dark-brown ale made with the special waters of the River Leen in Sherwood, would put even strong men on their backs if they overdid it by a quart (or two).

October would probably see old animosities and arguments forgotten for a time as quarts of the new ale went down amongst outlaws, soldiers, foresters, peasants, nobles - and on one occasion even the King himself - gripping their horn mugs tightly and rubbing shoulders with each other!

Blacke Dickon's tour of Robin Hood's county

Robin Hood expert, Richard Rutherford-Moore in the guise of one of the Sherwood Foresters takes us for a drink.

Blacke Dickon: "You might have found Robin Hood stopping at a medieval equivalent to the modern day roadside stop..."