Robin Hood’s poems, songs, plays and novels are not complete without Maid Marian. But is Marian his bride, damsel-in-distress, or a heroine in her own right? Today, Maid Marian’s character is often reimagined as one of a feminist icon, an outlaw inherently, and breaking out of the traditional roles of women in folklore.

This exhibit will explore Marian’s character across time and material, all found in McMaster University Archives and Mills Library Collections. 

Each work presents the introduction of Robin Hood’s love interest, not always Marian, and what her presence adds to the narrative. In this exhibit, we can see the authors interpretations of Marian and the role she plays in Robin Hood’s story, with influences of medium and cultural pressures.