This ballad was written by the prominent 17th century broadside balladist Martin Parker, and published in 1632. By Parker's own account from it was based reliable historical sources, but more probably from the abundant literary and ballad sources then available.
The ballad was written by Martin Parker, a prominent 17th-century ballad singer, and first published in 1632. According to Parker himself, it was inspired by credible historical accounts, although it is more likely that he drew upon the abundance of literary and ballad sources available at the time.