The Thief of Sherwood (short story)

The Thief of Sherwood was the sixth short story in the Short Trips anthology Short Trips: Past Tense. It was written by Jonathan Morris. It featured the First Doctor, Susan, Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright.

Summary
The TARDIS brings the Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Susan to the dungeons of an apparently deserted Nottingham Castle. While the Doctor and Barbara leave to explore the surrounding countryside, Ian and Susan find a young prisoner named Marion, but as they attempt to free the woman from her chains, the suddenly find themselves face-to-face with the Sheriff of Nottingham’s men and immediately taken prisoner

The two travellers are then brought before the Sherrif, who gloats that his trap to capture Robin Hood has been successful. Meanwhile, the Doctor and Barbara meet the real Robin Hood and his band of outlaws - and are amazed to find that Robin is Ian’s exact double.

However, the outlaw is far from being his legendary self, and is merely a selfish thief who steals for his own gains. The Doctor manages to convince Robin to help rescue his two friends, but the attempt to enter the castle goes wrong, and a sword thrust from one of the Sherrif’s men kills Robin.

Susan is condemned to death, but the Doctor poses as the priest charged with giving her the last rites, and is able to get her to safety. Ian takes Robin’s place, and gives away all the outlaws ill-gotten gains to the local villagers, thereby ensuring that the legend of a good-hearted Robin Hood lives on. The time travellers then leave Sherwood for the safety of the TARDIS.

Characters

 * First Doctor
 * Susan
 * Ian Chesterton
 * Barbara Wright
 * Robin Hood
 * Little John
 * Will Scarlet
 * Sheriff of Nottingham
 * Maid Marion

Continuity

 * There is a reference to the fault locator (TV: The Daleks.