# Merry Men

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Outlaw group following Robin Hood

For other uses, see [Merry Men (disambiguation)](/source/Merry_Men_(disambiguation)).

Robin Hood and the Merry Men (illustration by [Pablo Marcos](/source/Pablo_Marcos), c. 1995)

The **Merry Men** are the group of [outlaws](/source/Outlaw_(stock_character)) who follow [Robin Hood](/source/Robin_Hood) in [English literature](/source/English_literature) and [folklore](/source/English_folklore). The members of the group appear both collectively and individually in the earliest [ballads](/source/Ballad) about Robin Hood and remain popular in modern adaptations as Robin Hood's like-minded companions or [sidekicks](/source/Sidekick).

## History

The Merry Men are Robin Hood's group who work to rob from the rich and give to the poor. They antagonize the tyrannical rule of [Prince John](/source/John%2C_King_of_England) while [King Richard](/source/Richard_I_of_England) is fighting in the [Crusades](/source/Crusades). This also puts them in conflict with Prince John's minions, [Guy of Gisbourne](/source/Guy_of_Gisbourne) and the [Sheriff of Nottingham](/source/Sheriff_of_Nottingham).

The early ballads give specific names to only three companions: [Little John](/source/Little_John), [Much the Miller's Son](/source/Much_the_Miller's_Son), and William Scarlock or Scathelock, the [Will Scarlet](/source/Will_Scarlet) of later traditions. Joining them are between 20 and "seven [score](/source/20_(number))" (140) outlawed [yeomen](/source/Yeoman). The most prominent of the Merry Men is Robin's second-in-command, Little John. He appears in the earliest ballads and is mentioned in even earlier sources, such as [Andrew of Wyntoun](/source/Andrew_of_Wyntoun)'s *Orygynale Chronicle* of around 1420 and [Walter Bower](/source/Walter_Bower)'s expansion of the *[Scotichronicon](/source/Scotichronicon)*, completed around 1440. Later ballads name additional Merry Men, some of whom appear in only one or two ballads while others, like the minstrel [Alan-a-Dale](/source/Alan-a-Dale) and the jovial [Friar Tuck](/source/Friar_Tuck), became fully attached to the legend. Several of the Robin Hood ballads tell the story of how individual Merry Men join the group; this is frequently accomplished by defeating Robin in a duel.

The phrase "merry man" was originally a generic term for any follower or companion of an outlaw, knight, or similar leader.[1] Robin's band are called "mery men" in the oldest known Robin Hood ballad, "[Robin Hood and the Monk](/source/Robin_Hood_and_the_Monk)",[2] which survives in a manuscript completed after 1450.[3]

## Members

- **[Little John](/source/Little_John)** – Robin Hood's lieutenant. Later stories depict him as a huge man who joins the band after fighting Robin with [quarterstaves](/source/Quarterstaff) over a river.

- **[Much the Miller's Son](/source/Much_the_Miller's_Son)** – A grown man and a seasoned fighter in the early ballads. Later stories depict him as one of the youngest of the Merry Men.

- **[Will Scarlet](/source/Will_Scarlet)** – Another very early companion, appearing in ballads like [*A Gest of Robyn Hode*](/source/A_Gest_of_Robyn_Hode). In "[Robin Hood Newly Revived](/source/Robin_Hood_Newly_Revived)" he is a skilled swordsman and Robin's nephew.

- **[Arthur a Bland](/source/Arthur_a_Bland)** – Appears in one ballad, "[Robin Hood and the Tanner](/source/Robin_Hood_and_the_Tanner)". He is an accused [poacher](/source/Poaching) who bests Robin in a fight and joins the band.

- **David of Doncaster** – Appears in one ballad, "[Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow](/source/Robin_Hood_and_the_Golden_Arrow)".[4] The sheriff is giving an archery contest, and David, "a brave young man", warns Robin against going, because it is a trap, which advice inspires Robin to take precautions against capture.[5] He reappears in later adaptations, both books and movies.

- **Will Stutely** – Appears in two ballads, "[Robin Hood and Little John](/source/Robin_Hood_and_Little_John)" and "[Robin Hood Rescuing Will Stutly](/source/Robin_Hood_Rescuing_Will_Stutly)". In the former, he gives Little John his outlaw name; in the latter, he must be rescued after he is caught spying by the Sheriff of Nottingham. Stutely appears in the occasional film and various Robin Hood children's novels, such as [Howard Pyle](/source/Howard_Pyle)'s *[The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood](/source/The_Merry_Adventures_of_Robin_Hood)*, which includes the tale of Will's rescue and also mentions that he likes to play pranks.

- **[Friar Tuck](/source/Friar_Tuck)** – Resident clergyman of the band. Tuck developed separately from the Robin Hood tradition; similar characters appear in 15th- and 16th-century plays, and an early 15th-century outlaw used the alias Friar Tuck.[6] A fighting friar appears in "[Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar](/source/Robin_Hood_and_the_Curtal_Friar)", though he is not named. Robin and the friar engage in a battle of wits, which at one point involves the holy man carrying the outlaw across a river, only to toss him in. In the end, the friar joins the Merry Men. Later stories portray Tuck as more ale-loving and jovial than belligerent.

- **[Alan-a-Dale](/source/Alan-a-Dale)** – A roving [minstrel](/source/Minstrel). He appears in the later ballad "[Robin Hood and Allan-a-Dale](/source/Robin_Hood_and_Allan-a-Dale)", in which Robin helps him rescue his sweetheart who is being forced into marriage with another man. Despite his relatively late appearance, he became a popular character in later versions.

- **[Gilbert Whitehand](/source/Gilbert_Whitehand)** (or Gilbert with the White Hand) – Portrayed in *A Gest of Robyn Hode* as a skilled archer nearly equal to Robin. He appears along with other Merry Men during the shooting match for the gold and silver arrow and again in [Barnsdale Forest](/source/Barnsdale_Forest) during a visit by the disguised king.[7]

- **Reynold Greenleaf** – Although this name was used as an alias by Little John in *A Gest of Robyn Hode* when he tricked his way into the Sheriff's service,[8] there is another Reynold presented later in the ballad as a separate member of the Merry Men who competed in the archery match for the gold and silver arrow alongside Robin, Little John and others of the band.[9]

- **[Maid Marian](/source/Maid_Marian)** – Robin Hood's romantic interest. Marian developed separately from the Robin Hood tradition; the medieval French play *[Jeu de Robin et Marion](/source/Jeu_de_Robin_et_Marion)* tells the story of the shepherdess Marian and the knight Robin, unrelated to Robin Hood. The medieval archetype of Marian became associated with English and Scottish [May Day](/source/May_Day) festivities and was eventually associated with Robin Hood.[10] She is the protagonist of "[Robin Hood and Maid Marian](/source/Robin_Hood_and_Maid_Marian)" and is mentioned in "[Robin Hood and Queen Katherine](/source/Robin_Hood_and_Queen_Katherine)" and "[Robin Hood's Golden Prize](/source/Robin_Hood's_Golden_Prize)".[11]

- **The Tinker** – A [tinker](/source/Tinker) (a [tinsmith](/source/Tinsmith) and mender of utensils) who tries to capture Robin for the reward money but eventually becomes one of his Merry Men. Though he is not named in the original ballad "[Robin Hood and the Tinker](/source/Robin_Hood_and_the_Tinker)" he is given various names in later adaptations.[12] Howard Pyle calls him **Wat o' the Crabstaff** (a reference to the quarterstaff he uses as a weapon),[13] while in *Bold Robin Hood and His Outlaw Band* by [Louis Rhead](/source/Louis_Rhead) he is named **Dick o' Banbury**.[14]

- **The Cook** – A cook who lived in the household of the Sheriff. Some time after Little John tricked his way into the Sheriff's service, he and the cook fight each other with swords. Neither one besting the other, they become friends and the cook is invited to join Robin's band. Though he is not named in *A Gest of Robyn Hode* (in which he first appears), he is given various names in later adaptations.[15] In *The Life and Adventures of Robin Hood* by John B. Marsh he is known by the epithet **Firepan**, and his skill as a cook is matched by his fame as a swordsman.[16] In *Stories of Robin Hood and His Merry Outlaws* by J. Walker McSpadden, Much is identified as the cook.[17]

- **The Ranger** – A [forester](/source/Forester) who was responsible for protecting the king's deer. When he encounters Robin and learns that he is poaching, they fight with swords and then with quarterstaves. The forester (who is not named) defeats Robin who then offers him a place among his company of outlaws as told in "[Robin Hood and the Ranger](/source/Robin_Hood_and_the_Ranger)".[18]

- **The Pinder** – A [pinder](/source/Poundmaster) (an impounder of stray animals) who encounters Robin, Little John and Will Scarlet together. Like other tales in which Robin duels an opponent and meets his match, they engage in swordplay until a truce is made. The pinder is then invited to join the Merry Men, as told in "[The Jolly Pinder of Wakefield](/source/The_Jolly_Pinder_of_Wakefield)".[19][20] Though the character is not identified in the ballad, he is named **George a Greene** in the Robin Hood play *George a Greene, the Pinner of Wakefield* printed in 1599,[21] the 1632 [chapbook](/source/Chapbook) *The Famous History of George a Greene, Pinder of Wakefield*,[22] and other similar works of the period. This is the name likewise used by [Maude Radford Warren](/source/Maude_Radford_Warren) in her 1914 collection *Robin Hood and His Merry Men* where he also serves as a self-appointed guardian of the peace.[23] [Henry Gilbert](/source/Henry_Gilbert_(author)) in *Robin Hood* (1912) calls him **Sim of Wakefield**.[24]

- **The Scotchman** – A [Scot](/source/Scottish_people) who Robin meets while on a journey north. He offers to serve Robin who refuses at first, thinking that he would prove false, but then he agrees on the condition that they first engage in a duel. The Scot wins the fight, as told in "[Robin Hood and the Scotchman](/source/Robin_Hood_and_the_Scotchman)".[25]

- **The Three Yeomen** – Three yeomen (landowning farmers) who are about to be hanged by the Sheriff of Nottingham for poaching when they are saved by Robin and a company of archers. They are taken back to the safety of the greenwood and join Robin's band, as told in "[Robin Hood and the Beggar](/source/Robin_Hood_and_the_Beggar)" (version 1).[26]

- **Right-hitting Brand** – An otherwise unknown individual mentioned in company with several more well-known Merry Men in [Anthony Munday](/source/Anthony_Munday)'s *Metropolis Coronata*, printed in 1615.[27]

### Modern additions

Several modern adaptations add a member to the group who is a [Moor](/source/Moors) or [Saracen](/source/Saracen). This began with the 1984–1986 television series *[Robin of Sherwood](/source/Robin_of_Sherwood)*, which includes the character Nasir (portrayed by [Mark Ryan](/source/Mark_Ryan_(actor))), a former [hashshashin](/source/Hashshashin) who joins the Merry Men. The character influenced the writers of the 1989–1994 BBC TV children's series *[Maid Marian and Her Merry Men](/source/Maid_Marian_and_Her_Merry_Men)*, which features the black character Barrington (portrayed by [Danny John Jules](/source/Danny_John_Jules)). 1991's *[Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves](/source/Robin_Hood%3A_Prince_of_Thieves)* includes the Moor Azeem (portrayed by [Morgan Freeman](/source/Morgan_Freeman)). [Jamie Foxx](/source/Jamie_Foxx) portrayed Yahya ibn Umar, a version of Little John, in the 2018 film *[Robin Hood](/source/Robin_Hood_(2018_film))*.

## See also

- [Social banditry](/source/Social_banditry)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Merry man, n."](http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/116877?redirectedFrom=merry+men&). *[Oxford English Dictionary](/source/Oxford_English_Dictionary)*. 2001. Retrieved 2 May 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Robin Hood and the Monk"](http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/teams/monk.htm) line 35; in Knight and Ohlgren (1997)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-The_Monk_3-0)** [Robin Hood and the Monk: Introduction](http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/teams/monkint.htm) in Knight and Ohlgren (1997)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Stephen Knight (Editor), Thomas H. Ohlgren [Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow, note 35](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/teams/text/robin-hood-and-the-golden-arrow)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Francis James Child](/source/Francis_James_Child), *English and Scottish Popular Ballads*, ["Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow"](https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch152.htm)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar: Introduction](http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/teams/curtaint.htm); in Knight and Ohlgren (1997)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["A Gest of Robyn Hode"](http://d.lib.rochester.edu/teams/text/gest-of-robyn-hode) lines 1165–8, 1600–16; in Knight and Ohlgren (1997)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["A Gest of Robyn Hode"](http://d.lib.rochester.edu/teams/text/gest-of-robyn-hode) lines 595–600; in Knight and Ohlgren (1997)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["A Gest of Robyn Hode"](http://d.lib.rochester.edu/teams/text/gest-of-robyn-hode) lines 1169–72; in Knight and Ohlgren (1997)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Jeffrey Richards, (1980). *Swordsmen of the Screen: From Douglas Fairbanks to Michael York*, p. 190. Routledge & Kegan Paul, Lond, Henly and Boston.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Robin Hood and Maid Marian: Introduction](http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/teams/maidint.htm); in Knight and Ohlgren (1997)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Robin Hood and the Tinker"](http://d.lib.rochester.edu/robin-hood/text/child-ballad-127-robin-hood-and-the-tinker); in Child (1882–1889)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Pyle, Howard (1929) [1883]. *The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood*. [Charles Scribner's Sons](/source/Charles_Scribner's_Sons). p. 15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Rhead, Louis (1912). *Bold Robin Hood and His Outlaw Band*. [Harper & Brothers](/source/Harper_%26_Brothers). p. 100.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["A Gest of Robyn Hode"](http://d.lib.rochester.edu/teams/text/gest-of-robyn-hode) lines 651–715; in Knight and Ohlgren (1997)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Marsh, John B. (1865). *The Life and Adventures of Robin Hood*. [George Routledge and Sons](/source/George_Routledge_and_Sons). pp. 259, 268.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** McSpadden, J. Walker (1904). *Stories of Robin Hood and His Merry Outlaws*. [Thomas Y. Crowell & Company](/source/Thomas_Y._Crowell_Co.). p. 56.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Robin Hood and the Ranger"](http://d.lib.rochester.edu/robin-hood/text/child-ballad-131-robin-hood-and-the-ranger); in Child (1882–1889)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["The Jolly Pinder of Wakefield"](http://d.lib.rochester.edu/teams/text/jolly-pinder-of-wakefield-introduction) Introduction; in Knight and Ohlgren (1997)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["The Jolly Pinder of Wakefield"](http://d.lib.rochester.edu/teams/text/jolly-pinder-of-wakefield#49) Ballad Text; in Knight and Ohlgren (1997)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["George a Greene"](http://www.robinhoodlegend.com/george-greene/) *Robin Hood: The Facts and the Fiction.*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** [*International Robin Hood Bibliography*](https://irhb.org/wiki/index.php/Anonymous_-_1632_-_Pinder_of_Wakefield)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Warren, Maude Radford (1914). *Robin Hood and His Merry Men*. [Rand McNally & Company](/source/Rand_McNally_%26_Company). p. 46.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Gilbert, Henry (1994) [1912]. *Robin Hood* (originally published as *Robin Hood and the Men of the Greenwood*). [Wordsworth Editions](/source/Wordsworth_Editions). p. 102. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1853261270](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1853261270).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Robin Hood and the Scotchman"](http://d.lib.rochester.edu/robin-hood/text/child-ballad-130b-robin-hood-and-the-scotchman); in Child (1882–1889)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["Robin Hood and the Beggar, I"](http://d.lib.rochester.edu/robin-hood/text/child-ballad-133-robin-hood-and-the-beggar-i); in Child (1882–1889)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Munday, Anthony (1615). [*Metropolis Coronata, the Trivmphes Of Ancient Drapery: Or, Rich Cloathing Of England, In a Second Yeeres Performance In Honour Of the Aduancement Of Sir Iohn Iolles, Knight, To the High Office Of Lord Maior Of London, and Taking His Oath For the Same Authoritie, On Monday, Being the 30. Day Of October. 1615. Performed In Heartie Affection To Him, and At the Bountifull Charges Of His Worthy Brethren the Truly Honourable Society Of Drapers, the First That Receiued Such Dignitie In This Citie. Deuised, and Written, By A. M.*](https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/METR1.htm#BRAN1) London: George Purslowe. pp. B3.

## Further reading

- Child, Francis James, ed. (1882–1889). [*The English and Scottish Popular Ballads*](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/robin-hood/publication/child-english-and-scottish-popular-ballads). Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin.

- Knight, Stephen; Ohlgren, Thomas H., eds. (1997). [*Robin Hood and Other Outlaw Tales*](https://d.lib.rochester.edu/teams/publication/knight-and-ohlgren-robin-hood-and-other-outlaw-tales). Kalamazoo, Michigan: Medieval Institute Publications.

v t e Robin Hood Characters and settings Characters Main Robin Hood Maid Marian The Jolly Pinder of Wakefield Sheriff of Nottingham Guy of Gisbourne Prince John Bishop of Hereford Richard at the Lee King Richard Merry Men Little John Much the Miller's Son Will Scarlet Arthur a Bland David of Doncaster Will Stutely Friar Tuck Alan-a-Dale Gilbert Whitehand Settings Sherwood Forest Major Oak Nottingham Loxley St Mary's Abbey, York Barnsdale Wentbridge Media Screen Film Robin Hood (1912) Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood (1922) The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) The Bandit of Sherwood Forest (1946) The Prince of Thieves (1948) Rogues of Sherwood Forest (1950) Tales of Robin Hood (1951) The Story of Robin Hood (1952) The Men of Sherwood Forest (1954) Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960) The Triumph of Robin Hood (1962) A Challenge for Robin Hood (1967) Long Live Robin Hood (1971) Wolfshead: The Legend of Robin Hood (1973) The Arrows of Robin Hood (1975) Robin and Marian (1976) Aaj Ka Robin Hood (1988) O Mistério de Robin Hood (1990) Robin Hood (1991) Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) Princess of Thieves (2001) Robin Hood (2010) Robin Hood (2018) The Death of Robin Hood (2026) TV Robin Hood (1953) The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955) The Legend of Robin Hood (1968) The Legend of Robin Hood (1975) Robin of Sherwood (1984) The New Adventures of Robin Hood (1997) Robin Hood (2006, episodes, characters) Robyn Hood (2023) Robin Hood (2025) Animated Robin Hood Makes Good (1939) Rabbit Hood (1949) Robin Hood Daffy (1958) Robin Hoodwinked (1958) Rocket Robin Hood (1966) Robin Hood (1973) Robin Hood (1990) Young Robin Hood (1991) Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and His Merry Mouse (2012) Sherwood (2019) Parody About Seven Brothers (1968) When Things Were Rotten (1975) The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood (1984) Maid Marian and Her Merry Men (1989) Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) Alternate settings Mexicali Rose (1939 film) Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964 film) Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985 Tamil film) Nyayam Meere Cheppali (1985 Telugu film) Robin of Locksley (1996 film) Catch Me Now (2008 Chinese TV series) Alyas Robin Hood (2016 Philippines TV series) Popular culture Statue of Robin Hood Robin Hood (DC Comics character) Robin Hood (Disney character) Child ballads 8: Erlinton 102: Willie and Earl Richard's Daughter 103: Rose the Red and White Lily 115: Robyn and Gandeleyn 117: A Gest of Robyn Hode 118: Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne 119: Robin Hood and the Monk 120: Robin Hood's Death 121: Robin Hood and the Potter 123: Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar 124: The Jolly Pinder of Wakefield 126: Robin Hood and the Tanner 127: Robin Hood and the Tinker 128: Robin Hood Newly Revived 129: Robin Hood and the Prince of Aragon 130: Robin Hood and the Scotchman 131: Robin Hood and the Ranger 132: The Bold Pedlar and Robin Hood 136: Robin Hood's Delight 138: Robin Hood and Allan-a-Dale 139: Robin Hood's Progress to Nottingham 140: Robin Hood Rescuing Three Squires 141: Robin Hood Rescuing Will Stutly 142: Little John a Begging 143: Robin Hood and the Bishop 144: Robin Hood and the Bishop of Hereford 145: Robin Hood and Queen Katherine 146: Robin Hood's Chase 147: Robin Hood's Golden Prize 148: The Noble Fisherman 151: The King's Disguise, and Friendship with Robin Hood 152: Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow 153: Robin Hood and the Valiant Knight 154: A True Tale of Robin Hood Stage / theatre The Downfall and The Death of Robert Earl of Huntington (1598 and 1601 plays) The Merrie Men of Sherwood Forest (1871 operetta) Robin Hood (1890 De Koven opera) The Foresters (1892 play) Robin Hood (1934 Tippett opera) Twang!! (1965 musical parody) Robin Hood (1998 ballet) Robin des Bois (2013 musical) Video games Robin of Sherwood: The Touchstones of Rhiannon (1985) Robin of the Wood (1985) Super Robin Hood (1986) The Adventures of Robin Hood (1991) Conquests of the Longbow: The Legend of Robin Hood (1991) Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood (2002) Robin Hood: Defender of the Crown (2003) Robin Hood's Quest (2007) Volume (2015) Hood: Outlaws & Legends (2021) Literature A Gest of Robyn Hode (probably 15th century) Ivanhoe (1819) Maid Marian (1822) The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood (1883) Bows against the Barons (1934) The Once and Future King (1958) The Outlaws of Sherwood (1988) Through a Dark Mist (1991) Lady of the Forest (1992) In the Shadow of Midnight (1994) The Last Arrow (1997) Lady of Sherwood (1999) King Raven Trilogy (2006) Music Legend (1984 soundtrack) "Robin (The Hooded Man)" "Love" (song) "Not in Nottingham" (song) "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" (song) The Tale of Gamelyn Robin Hood (2010 soundtrack) Robin Hood (2018 soundtrack) Alan Dale Outlaw (2009) Holy Warrior (2010) King's Man (2011) The Outlaw Chronicles (2012–2016) Related Miss Robin Hood Son of the Guardsman The Son of Robin Hood The Bandit of Sherwood Forest Robin Hood's Larder Robin Hood Morality Test "Robot of Sherwood" "Robin Good and His Not-So-Merry Men" Once Upon a Time The Tales of Robin Hood (former Nottingham attraction) Once Upon a Studio Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Merry Men](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merry_Men) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merry_Men?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.