While Robin Hood may be a myth others involved in the legend certainly do exist.

Robin legends revolve around a time when England's monarchy was in serious trouble. King Richard, the rightful King, had left England to fight in the Crusades leaving England in the hands of his ruthless brother Prince John.

Prince John was King Richards’s brother.

Prince John was young and unpredictable. Nothing and no one could come between him and the quest for the throne. He demanded love, respect and high loyalty from everyone he met. He was ruthless and no one could stop him from his aims/goals.

Prince John was the "villain" in the Robin Hood tales, but was very rarely seen in the Robin Hood portrayals. He controls the sheriff of Nottingham who is often portrayed as Hood's main enemy.

King Richard was a ruler of England. In the time period of Robin Hood he was an actual historical figure. Richard was occasionally portrayed as the god guy in Hood's legend, he was in power and his brother prince John was jealous and outlawed Robin Hood, for his service to the king. Robin and Richard both fought in the crusades in the holy lands before Robin returned to England as a nobel man.

Richard is largely an unseen character, usually introduced in the last scenes of movies and television series. and commonly portrayed as a good person, however the real Richard had accusations of rape and murder against his name. 

Robin, Richard

and John

Robin Hood