Auld Matrons [Child 249]

DESCRIPTION: Willie comes courting at Annie's door; she assures him that Matrons (an old woman by the fire) can do nothing. But Matrons summons the sheriff, who comes to take Willie -- only to have Willie escape by calling on his brother John, a fantastic fighter
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE:
KEYWORDS: courting seduction nightvisit age police rescue
FOUND IN: Britain(Scotland)
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Child 249, "Auld Matrons" (1 text)
Leach-TheBalladBook, pp. 612-614, "Auld Matrons" (1 text)
DT 249, OLDMATRN
Roud #3915
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Adam Bell, Clim of the Clough, and William of Cloudesly" [Child 116]
NOTES [38 words]: This seems to be either descended from or heavily influenced by the Robin Hood tradition, or specifically (in Child's view) "Adam Bell." One rather hopes it is the latter; the rescue by John, if anything, weakens the ballad. - RBW
File: C249

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