Thanks, Ian -- it's a whole lot of help. Historical knowledge is everything. I had no idea that people I assumed were independent artisans who owned their own means of production in fact had other people supplying them with raw materials that they, the crafts people, did not own.

I assume your audiences know most of this, while mine aren't likely to. Twill be a challenge to figure out what's essential to say in introducing the song and how to condense the essential matter so it's relatively short and sweet -- or, if not short, at least interesting. Martin Carthy is great at that -- something to aspire to...

Thanks again.

Chris