The Strategic Disguise and Infiltration

Robin Hood’s mission to unite Ellen and Alan Adale begins with meticulous preparation. Recognizing the need for a non-violent entry into the church, Robin organizes a team of twenty men, providing Little John with "two hundred pounds of my own money" to serve as a strategic dowry. Robin himself chooses to pose as a "festive minstrel," carrying a harp—an instrument he humorously admits he "couldn't play at all." This deception allows him to blend into the wedding environment, while Friar Tuck, disguised as a "poor hermit from Fountains Abbey," skillfully gains entry to the church by assisting the old priest with a stubborn lock.

Confronting the Bishop and Sir Stephen

As the wedding party arrives, Robin encounters the Bishop of Hereford, a man whose "fine silk robes and gold chains" stand in stark contrast to Robin’s outlaw sensibilities. The Bishop, acting as a facilitator for the forced union between the young Ellen and the elderly Sir Stephen of Trent, is initially dismissive of the "harper from the North Country." However, Robin’s charisma and his bold claim that he can ensure the bride will "love her man as long as they both live" pique the Bishop’s interest. The atmosphere shifts dramatically when Ellen appears, described as a "wilting flower" whose "skin was pale and smooth," visibly distressed by the prospect of the marriage. Robin observes that her "cheeks are pale as snow," arguing that this is "not a fit wedding" because Sir Stephen is "too old" and she is "not her one true love."

The Dramatic Reveal and the Shift in Power

When the ceremony is about to commence, Robin drops his facade. By blowing his horn three times, he signals his men to reveal their presence, drawing swords and asserting control over the church. The revelation of his identity—"My name is Robin Hood"—stuns the congregation into silence. While Ellen’s father, Edward, remains adamant that she must marry Sir Stephen, the groom himself experiences a change of heart. Observing the clear affection between Ellen and the minstrel Alan Adale, Sir Stephen declares, "I would not marry her after today's doings," choosing to walk away with his "men-at-arms" rather than force a loveless union.

Securing the Blessing and the Final Toll

With the primary obstacle removed, Robin turns his attention to the father and the Bishop. He uses the "two hundred bright golden angels" to pressure Edward into providing his blessing, though the father remains bitter, stating, "I will have nothing more to do with her." The final barrier—the lack of an officiating priest—is swiftly dismantled by Friar Tuck, who bellows from the organ loft, "I am as holy a man as you, seven days a week," effectively taking over the ceremony.

Following the successful marriage, Robin holds the Bishop to his earlier promise to grant whatever the minstrel asked. He demands the Bishop’s "golden chain" as a wedding gift for Ellen. As he drapes the glittering jewelry around her neck, Robin offers a final piece of sardonic wit, telling the Bishop, "Truly, you look better without it." The story concludes with a playful invitation to Sherwood Forest, leaving the Bishop in a state of dread, well aware that Robin’s "guests paid for feasts with all the money they carried." Through this calculated display of force and wit, Robin Hood successfully champions the cause of true love over the cold, transactional arrangements of the nobility.