Localisation of place names in ballads, and indeed even personnel, is very common. Peter Buchan made a living out of it.

'Scarlet' is thought by some to be a skit on 'Reading', but there was also nothing to stop the author making up a name.

All of the current circumstantial evidence points to a London origin; on the other hand almost anything is possible.

Hi Jon,
I've told Richie several times how much we appreciate his valuable work, but I think more people on the Ballad List should be aware of it.