I think the problem with 'Froggy' Richard, is by the time Child started compiling it was perceived more as a nursery song than a ballad. It certainly has a long pedigree and has been rewritten many times using new tunes, formats and choruses.

The 'dubious claims' I go along with. However, to be fair to him, whilst not leaving us with the essay, he did set out his parameters from the off and generally stuck to them, even against his later better judgment. He set out to be inclusive and tried to include anything that offered evidence of popular features. Yes he did rather stretch this at times. For instance, Bessy Bell and Mary Gray, offers no real ballad features and is an obvious art song included in many art song anthologies throughout the 18thc. It is, however, based on true events from I think the 1660s which may have persuaded him to include it.

The top ballad in my list that he failed to include was 'Cragieston' or 'The trees they do grow high'.

Some people put forward 'Bramble Briar' but I'm convinced that was a mid 18thc broadside piece based on Boccaccio's Isabella.