In recent years, it has become fashionable to speculate about this, but it is impossible to know the answer with any certainty after so many centuries and without any definitive evidence. Both sides of this debate feel strongly about their theories, but there is no conclusive proof for either side. You can read more about the controversy here.
King Richard was married. He reportedly had at least one illegitimate child. He certainly hoped to sire a son to inherit his crown.
We have not addressed this controversy in the Robin Hood Trilogy. We mention Richard’s marriage to Berengaria of Navarre and his hope that his marriage would produce a son. Beyond that, we are allowing the readers to decide for themselves; they are free to imagine Richard according to their own beliefs.
In the trilogy, we have emphasized that the relationship between Richard and Robin is brotherly. Richard is nine years older than Robin, and he became Robin’s mentor when Robin’s father sent him to the court in Poitou at the age thirteen to further his studies and train for knighthood. Richard refers to Robin as “the brother of my heart,” a reference to both their close friendship and the estrangement between Richard and Prince John.
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