Assuming that they are working identifiably within the traditional style. Whose characteristics I belive to include use of narrative based on experience, modal based or modal sounding tunes etc etc.

From Richard Bridges essay on the Seth Lakeman thread -

Cecil Sharp wrote: "The majority of our English -folk times, say two~thirds, are in the major mode.

And if the Child ballads were based on experience... they led interesting (if short) lives.