In this, the tale is the closest to the 'Lady Isabel' ballads. Yet it differs from them by including several themes dating back to pre-medieval time and therefore is thought to be much older. In particular the scenes where the princess first asks her father, then her mother, then her sister for permission to go to see Halewijn before finally her brother gives her permission – "Als gy uw eer maer wel bewaerd / En gy uw kroon naer rechten draegt!" ("...as long as you keep your honor and wear your crown with dignity") – alludes to the Carolingian custom of a brother watching over the honor of his sisters.