Hero's Legacy Trail #3: Will Scarlet Traditional Cache
RavenTheMothmaam: It seems we'll never get to fully realize our dream of having a Hero's trail opposite of our Monster trail so we're going to have to archive this series of caches. Thanks to everyone who attempted these! We appreciate it! :)
Hero's Legacy Trail #3: Will Scarlet
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Size: 
(small)
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Kayak only cache! This is the 3rd cache of the "Hero's Legacy Trail" series that are scattered along the scenic Pocomoke River that begins in Snow Hill, MD opposite of the Monster Mash Trail. The Hero's Legacy Trail is compiled of Hero's from legend and myth. Should you decide to go after the Monsters that reside in these waters, wouldn't it be nice to have some heroes by your side. This series of Kayak caches is a joint effort between me and the CO of the Monster Mash trail to get people out to enjoy the scenic pocomoke river. This cache is a lock and lock container. Please BYOP! Happy Hunting!
About the Hero:
Will has a variety of last names -- Scarlet, Scarlett, Scarlock, Scadlock and Scatheloke. By one of these names, he's been a member of the Merry Men since the earliest tales. (In some versions, Scarlet and Scathelock are separate characters.)
One ballad says that Robin Hood met a stranger dressed in scarlet silk. Naturally, they got into an argument. The argument lead to a broadsword fight. The stranger won, of course.
Robin asked what the stranger's name was and where he came from. "In Maxfield was I bred and born, My name is Young Gamwell." Young Gamwell had killed his father's steward and was exiled to the greenwood. It turned out that the stranger is the son of Robin's own sister. That means Will is Robin's nephew. But in the same ballad, he is called Robin's cousin. Cousin used to mean any close relative beyond the immediate family and so this term is still correct. In other stories, Will is Robin's cousin in the modern sense -- son of Robin's mother's sister. Sometimes these cousins were outlawed together.
When he joined the band, Gamwell (which is often spelled Gamewell) was christened Will Scarlet.
Immediately after he joined the Merry Men one ballad says that Robin Hood, Little John and Will Scarlet saved a princess from three Turkish giants. For their good deeds, Robin and his men were pardoned. And the princess chose to marry Will Scarlet. Also, Will was reconciled with his father, the Earl of Maxfield. [Some claim Maxfield is really Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.]
Will Scarlet can be a scarlet-clad dandy, obsessed with fashion and even carrying a rose. Sometimes he is even musical.
But the early Will Scarlet was as violent and grubby as the other Merry Men. Some modern versions have returned to that tradition. Will Scathelock is his real name. Will was a mercenary, but his wife was raped and murdered by other mercenaries. Calling himself Scarlet, Will murdered his wife's killers. This Will Scarlet is hot-tempered and questions Robin's leadership. (Check out the picture of Ray Winstone as Will at top. He's the epitome of the angry Scarlet, and as far from the dandy on the side illustration as one can get.)
But whatever his name or nature, Will is a welcome member of the Merry Men -- next in importance after Robin and Little John. His advice is considered valuable.
Congrats to Old School Skater for the FTF!
Additional Hints
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Treasures
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