It is interesting that the great Dr. Charles Cox went into the Little John story very fully in his Churches of Derbyshire, published 1876, and he by no means scoffed. I will quote his summing up of the case - 'On the whole the evidence warrants us in assuming that a portion of the weapons and accoutrements peculiar to a forester were hung up in the church, that the said foresler(both from the bow and the grave) was of exceptional stature, that both weapons and grave were popularly assigned to Little John more than 200 years ago, and that the said weapons must have belonged to a man of extraordinary fame, or they would not have found such a resting place. This being the case, the opponents of the accuracy of the tradition seem to us to have far more difficulties with which to contend, than those who accept it'.

That is the story. Make of it what you will, but the legend will persist as long as Hathersage remains, and why not? - Legend has always played its part in English History. Much concerning our Patron Saint, St. George is legendary, inspiring men to deeds of valiant patriotism down to the present day, carried through a line of distinguished warriors who cried - 'England and St. George! Those who try to slay a healthy legend are taking the romance from our English heritage, so with all due respect to the higher critics let us cling to the Hathersage hero and henchman of Robin Hood. What more fitting resting place for a gallant outlaw than to lie beneath the yew trees in a grave tended by the Ancient Order of Foresters. Sleep on, Little John - Hathersage will keep faith with thee!

The above was extracted from 'Let These Stones Live' by Martin F.H. Hulbert, with the kind permission of St. Michael and All Angels church, Hathersage.