| Maid Marian | |
|---|---|
| Tales of Robin Hood and his Merry Men character | |
)_(cropped).png) Woodcut of Maid Marian, from a 17th-century broadside | |
| First appearance | 16th century AD |
| Created by | Anonymous balladeers |
| Portrayed by | Bernadette O'Farrell Patricia Driscoll Judi Trott Kate Lonergan Olivia de Havilland Joan Rice Sarah Branch Gay Hamilton Anna Galvin Christie Laing Diana Lynn Enid Bennett Audrey Hepburn Uma Thurman Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio Amy Yasbeck Kate Moss Cate Blanchett Lucy Griffiths Eve Hewson |
| Voiced by | Katherine Shannon Sarah Natochenny Monica Evans Naoko Matsui Jo Wyatt Grey DeLisle |
| In-universe information | |
| Alias | Maid Marion Clorinda Matilda Marian Fitzwalter/Fitzwater Lady Marion of Leaford |
| Occupation | Shepherdess (earlier stories) Noblewoman (later stories) |
| Family | Robert Fitzwalter/Fitzwater (father, in some stories) |
| Spouse | Robin Hood (in some stories) |
| Significant other | Robin Hood |
| Religion | Christian |
| Nationality | English or Norman |
Maid Marian is the heroine of the Robin Hood legend in English folklore, often taken to be his lover. She is not mentioned in the early, medieval versions of the legend, but was the subject of at least two plays by 1600. Her history and circumstances are obscure, but she commanded high respect in Robin’s circle for her courage and independence as well as her beauty and loyalty. For this reason, she is celebrated by feminist commentators as one of the early strong female characters in English literature.