So, Susan, when were these Vikings wandering around Scotland then? If you are saying what I think you are saying you are way off the mark, about a thousand years or more.

I'm quite happy to go along with your theory that Scott substantially rewrote it, but he couldn't have written all of it because some of it was in the 17th century version 'The Child of Elle' and Scott didn't have any access at all to the Folio Ms. In fact it wasn't available to anyone but Percy and a few well-chosen friends until Child persuaded Furnivall to publish it by putting up some of the money in 1867. DT absolutely could not have been crafted out of EB. If your theory is correct then Scott or one of his suppliers must also have written the stall copy!

You're looking for logic in ballads??? Ye Gods!

Nearly finished my analysis.
On what grounds does Bronson include all of those short English songs in Lady Maisry? They are completely made up of commonplaces and could belong to any of a dozen ballads, if any.