Geordie, it seems, orgins are so old & mixed that no one can now pin him down. Kinloch believes him to be George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntley, who failed the Queen's regent, in not hanging a Highland robber in 1555, the Earl of Cassilis sucessfully pleaded his case, here he was not hung. Printed (by H Gosson) in 16(27?), an English Broadside ballad has the death of a George Stoole, whom Motherwell sees as coming from the Scot's version.Another (later) has him as George of Oxford, a highway man, another as George Luklie. It seems most older Scottish versions have him killing Sir Charles Hays in battle, & most of the English & latter versions as a thief against the King. I got the notes of this from John Nolan, I don't know where he got it, but I'm sure he'll be looking in on this thread, & if anyone wants further on it I'm sure he'll help. Barry