Batman’s Village of Fools: Gotham, England

There’s a link from a 13th century legend, to a 16th century insult book, to a 19th century writer, to a 20th century comic book hero. And it starts in a small village near Nottingham, in the time of Robin Hood. Here’s why Batman comes from Gotham City. (I am reliably assured that the modern-people of Gotham are not, in fact, fools.) Many versions of the Merry Tales were printed: the earliest reference I can find a reference to is 1540 here: