Whilst the many fabricators in history have mostly been exposed, our main problem is those who were more careful and covered their tracks. The other big problem is what do we do with the bulk of the material when we know a particular collector was fabricating but are not sure to what extent. It is quite possible, some might say probable, that more than half of the material in Child had been redacted by sophisticated people in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Certainly a large chunk came straight from broadsides and has no evidence of oral tradition as in the case you mention, Bob, despite Child's reference to 'moderate jewels'.

Have you any evidence that Percy wrote 'Edward'? I thought the consensus was that Lord Hales palmed it off on him.