Will Scarlet
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Will Scarlet (also Scarlett, Scarlock, Scadlock, Scatheloke and Scathelocke) was a prominent member of Robin Hood's Merry Men and was present in the earliest ballads along with Little John. Traditionally, most of the outlaws are often depicted as being middle-aged, whereas he is often depicted as young or youthful, sometimes in his late teens. In the traditional tales, Scarlet is hot-headed and tempestous, but has a love of fine elegant clothes and is often seen wearing red silk. He is the most skilled swordsman of the merry men whilst Robin Hood is the most skilled with a bow and arrow and Little John with a quarterstaff. In some tales Scarlet uses two swords at the same time (this was parodied in the movie Robin Hood: Men in Tights). It is believed that he is buried in the churchyard of the church of St. Mary in Blidworth, Nottinghamshire. [citation needed]
There are various versions of Scarlet's origins and how he came to join the band of outlaws. According to one version, Scathlocke was a young nobleman named Young Gamwell, of Maxfield (possibly what is now known as Macclesfield), who left his father's estate since he had killed their belligerent cook in a fit of rage. Although he dressed with almost foppish daintiness, when confronted by Robin Hood on a road in Sherwood (Robin intended to rob him) and ordered to fight, Scathlocke pulled a young sapling from the ground with practically no effort and knocked Robin (a skilled fighter with the staff in his own right) flat. Robin was impressed by the strength, and even more impressed when he discovered that the stranger is the son of his own sister, which makes Will Robin's nephew. Robin had not seen Will since his outlawing. Since the Sheriff of Nottingham had a warrant out for Scathlocke's arrest and summary execution, Robin invited William to join his Merry Men. When Scathlocke gladly accepted the offer, Robin changed his name to Will Scarlet after his gaudy clothing to prevent his being identified by the Sheriff's men. Scarlet proceeded to become one of Robin's best fighters.
The confusion of last names has led some authors to distinguish them as different characters. Howard Pyle included both a Will Scathelocke and a Will Scarlett in his Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. Will Stutely may also be a separate character because of a mistaken last name.
[edit] Other depictions of Will Scarlet
In both the 1938 film and 1991 TV movie, Will Scarlett is portrayed as Robin's companion (almost a squire) from the beginning, and is a witty, humorous character. In the 1938 film, the character is quite possibly merged with Alan-a-Dale, as Will plays a lute and sings in one scene. For some reason, in the current BBC TV series the same role is given to the character named Much.
In the UK TV show Robin of Sherwood, Ray Winstone portrays a very different version of Will Scarlet. Rather than the stereotypical merry sidekick, this show gave us a much bleaker, more passionate character. An ex-soldier who fought in France, he is shown as a much darker and more violent character, with a burning hatred of authority.
In Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Christian Slater plays Will Scarlett, whom the film depicts as the illegitimate half-brother of Robin Hood. Robin Hood's father did not acknowledge Scarlett, and instead doted on Robin, leading Scarlett to become resentful of Robin Hood. He initially appears as a treacherous character, but later finds redemption when he helps the Merry Men rescue Maid Marian and several others from the Sheriff of Nottingham.
In Blackadder: Back & Forth, Robin Hood sarcastically says, "Is Will Scarlet a poof in tights?" (Which the camera reveals he is.)
In the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode Qpid, Q has the crew of the Enterprise re-enact the legend of Robin Hood. Worf (Michael Dorn) plays the part of Will, despite protesting that he is "NOT a merry man!"
In the BBC series 'Robin Hood'(2006) Will often uses an axe as a weapon.
