or on a lighter note, good old Scottish mayhem ballads:

The Battle of Harlaw (Child #163) concerning a large battle fought near Aberdeen in 1411 for supremacy in the Highlands--this song rocks--recently recorded by Old Blind Dogs

The Baron of Brackley (Child #203)--the baron of Brackley is goaded by his wife to enjoin a suicidal battle with the lowlifes what are stealing his cows--turns out she is very anxious to boink the chief lowlife. Song has elements of two historical occurrences, one in 1592, the second in 1666. There's a current recording by Connie Dover

Bill C.