Robin Hood Case Study

Original case study by Laura Tucker and Joseph Lampel

Robin Hood

The case in brief:

After success during his first year, Robin Hood is encountering problems in Sherwood Forest. Hood's Merry Men, initially a small disciplined organization, went through a period of growth that saw many new recruits flock to join the group having recently heard of its fame. The ever-increasing band, although a source of pride for Hood, had begun to outgrow itself and supplies and food had become scant.

With supplies dwindling and discipline getting harder to enforce, it was getting much more difficult to control the band. The financial strain of having to purchase food from nearby villages and the fact that travelers were now avoiding the notorious forest, meant that something had to be done, and soon.

Robin knew that he had to act, but was unsure how. He believed that the outright looting of travelers should stop, and that a fixed transit tax should be implemented for everyone instead. Some recruits were averse to this idea as it no longer meant adhering to the "rob the rich and give to the poor" motto. Some were also worried about making allied farmers and townspeople pay the tax, because it was valuable to remain on good terms with them if the group were ever to have a chance of defeating the sheriff and his people.

Adding to this, the sheriff was becoming more organized, stronger in numbers and more stable financially and had, no doubt, begun looking for the gang's weaknesses. He was also firmly in a position of power due to his political connections. His friend the regent, Prince John, was a vicious man disliked by his people who wanted the former King Richard released from prison. Prince John feared the barons who, although initially having given him the throne, were now disputing his claim to it. The barons had invited Hood to join the conspiracy to collect ransom for King Richard in return for Hood's future amnesty, but Robin is hesitant. Prince John's spies were lurking everywhere and the punishment would not be light. The question is whatshouldHood do?

Choose a negotiation scenario, and outline 3 negotiation tactics that Robin should use:

1. Negotiate the release of King Richard.