“ploughboys, milkmaids, miners and weavers” is a quote from Roud. In the context it is used I think it could be read as something like ‘the common folk’.

If that isn't a direct quote from Lloyd (I don't have the reverence material in front of me) then I suspect it's a case of Roud paraphrasing him. Incidentally, I'd always assumed 'ploughboys' were young men in their physical prime, who would have had no difficulty manipulating agricultural equipment.

Agree 100% with both comments of Vic's re the academic approach.