A Book of Old English Ballads (Forgotten Books)

"This collection of ballads contains some of the best known English folk lyrics. It is nowhere near as comprehensive as other books, such as the massive Child ballad collection. However, the illustrations are gorgeous, and the selection is excellent. It should be noted that 'Old English' in this case doesn't mean 'Anglo-Saxon'; strictly speaking these are written in late Middle or early Modern English. This makes them accessible, even enjoyable, for a modern audience.

Many of these are from the Scottish border, and deal with clashes between the English and Scots in historical times. Others are set in an idealized 'Old England', including three ballads of Robin Hood. The ballads surprisingly feature well-constructed female characters, who are participants in the action, not just part of the backdrop. These lyrics give some insights, often grim in nature, into the culture and mindset of the middle ages, particularly one (Hugh of Lincoln) with a regrettable anti-Semitic theme.

Some of these ballads go on for dozens of verses, and form complete short stories. If your only experience of these ballads is through modern folk-song renditions, you owe it to yourself to sit down and get the whole story. " (Quote from sacred-texts.com)

Table of Contents:

Publisher's Preface; Introduction; Chevy Chace; King Cophetua And The Beggar-maid; King Leir And His Three Daughters; Fair Rosamond; Phillida And Corydon; Fair Margaret And Sweet William; Annan Water; The Bailiff's Daughter Of Islington; Barbara Allen's Cruelty; The Douglas Tragedy; Young Waters; Flodden Field; Helen Of Kirkconnell; Robin Hood And Allen-a-dale; Robin Hood And Guy Of Gisborne; Robin Hood's Death And Burial; The Twa Corbies; Waly, Waly, Love Be Bonny; The Nut-brown Maid; The Fause Lover; The Mermaid; The Battle Of Otterburn; The Lament Of The Border Widow; The Banks O' Yarrow; Hugh Of Lincoln; Sir Patrick Spens

About the Publisher:

Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, Esoteric and Mythology. www.forgottenbooks.org

Forgotten Books is about sharing information, not about making money. All books are priced at wholesale prices. We are also the only publisher we know of to print in large sans-serif font, which is proven to make the text easier to read and put less strain on your eyes.

About the Author:

"George Wharton Edwards (born 1859 in Fair Haven, Connecticut - died January 18, 1950 in Greenwich) was an American impressionist painter and illustrator and author of several books of travel and historical subjects.

Edwards was educated at Antwerp and Paris. He painted portraits and murals and moved to Greenwich in 1912. He was a member of the Cos Cob Art Colony.

He died in Greenwich, Connecticut, aged 90." (Quote from wikipedia.org)