"The tendency of most traditional singers was to pitch their voice around where they spoke - Harry Cox and Sam Larner being perfect examples of this
Not coincidentally, they usually sang using speech patterns, putting the punctuation and natrural pauses where they belonged"
very good
Jim,TRADTIONAL SINGERS unlike folk song singers in clubs, did not have to do 40 minute spots in folk clubs, so for example .I try to sing naturally,however I have to give some thought to planned changes of keys for one song after another [something that a trad singer did not have to do]
I think it is reasonable advice to say that if a singer wants to use a folk voice for 40 minutes at a time , that good breathing technique, plus thought about using different keys, as well as singing natrually enters in to the equation.
jIM manners did exist in 1908, collectors varied in their use of good manners.And Taylor being a competition singer would have been used tosingning in competitions and unlikely to have been intimidated or nervous of Grainger
Finally, the OP is in a revival situation., but probably not having to do more than one song at atime