I apologise if this has been answered before. There's so much information on Mudcat that finding some things can be tricky.

As I understand it, no one has been able to trace the existence of either protagonist in the song Horstow Grange, and yet it is said that Mr Span was a waggoner and that his real name was John. MainlyNorfolk is one place I've seen this.

Any clues as to where this information comes from?