Bishop Herford, whose name is also rendered as Hartford in some sources, is a secondary antagonist in the 1990 anime series. He serves as the Bishop of Nottingham and is a close ally of the story's primary villain, Baron Alwyn. As a high-ranking member of the clergy, he holds a position of spiritual authority, but his actions are consistently driven by worldly vices, particularly a profound greed for wealth and an interest in maintaining his personal power and pleasure.

Herford is initially characterized by his selfish and hedonistic nature. He is a rotund and outwardly proper religious figure whose behavior is markedly corrupt. His primary motivation throughout much of the series is to acquire the Lancaster family's fortune, which he plots to obtain by forcibly adopting the young noblewoman Marian Lancaster. In the Japanese version of the series, this scheme is more explicitly framed as an attempted marriage, underscoring his predatory and unscrupulous character. His pursuit of Marian is a key driver of the plot, as it places her in immediate danger and directly pits him against Robin Hood and the band of outlaws who protect her.

Within the power structure of Nottingham, Herford serves as Baron Alwyn's most significant partner in oppression. While Alwyn represents brutal, secular authority and military might, Herford provides a veneer of religious legitimacy to their joint schemes. He does not typically engage in physical combat or direct confrontation; his role is that of a schemer who uses his ecclesiastical influence to further the villains' goals and shield their activities from moral or legal repercussions.

Herford's key relationships are largely defined by his greed and self-interest. He is a loyal supporter of Baron Alwyn, working alongside him to control Nottingham and hunt for a hidden treasure in Sherwood Forest, which he believes Marian's golden cross can help them find. His relationship with Marian is that of a predator to his intended victim, seeking to use her for her inheritance. He has no notable positive relationships with the protagonists, viewing Robin and his band as troublesome outlaws who disrupt his plans.

Unlike many purely villainous characters, Bishop Herford undergoes a noticeable, if subtle, development over the course of the fifty-two episodes. While he begins as a corrupt and comedic antagonist, he proves to be less ruthless and cruel than Baron Alwyn. As the series moves toward its conclusion, this distinction becomes more apparent. When Alwyn becomes involved in a high-stakes political conspiracy that includes plotting a murder, Herford's conscience or perhaps his sense of self-preservation is triggered. He ultimately distances himself from his former ally, deciding to leave Nottingham rather than participate in the most extreme acts of violence and treachery. In a significant turn that solidifies his redemption, he later provides crucial information to Robin Hood about Alwyn's plans, directly aiding the protagonists. Unlike Alwyn, who relapses into villainy, Herford’s shift toward the side of good is presented as a permanent change, making him a relatively loyal, if unlikely, ally to the heroes by the series' end.

Bishop Herford does not possess any notable physical prowess, magical abilities, or exceptional skills in combat. His influence and power derive entirely from his clerical office, his wealth, and his political alliance with Baron Alwyn. His primary weapon is manipulation, using his position to orchestrate events from behind the scenes rather than engaging in direct action.