Maid Marian

Maid Marian
Tales of Robin Hood and his Merry Men character
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.