In the ballad, Sir Patrick Spens and his knights set sail on a ship called The Unicorn, which encounters a fierce storm and is ultimately lost at sea.

Medieval ballads often explore a wide range of themes, including love and romance, tragedy and loss, heroism and chivalry, and other universal human experiences.

The Battle of Otterburn, immortalized in the ballad, was a real historical event that took place in 1388 between the Percy family of England and the Douglas family of Scotland.

The Ballad of Mulan is a Chinese folk ballad that tells the story of a young woman named Mulan who takes her father's place in the army by disguising herself as a man.

In the ballad, Lord Randall falls ill and dies after eating a poisoned apple given to him by his lover, who is jealous of his impending marriage to another woman.

The Cruel Mother is a traditional Scottish ballad that tells the story of a young woman who is murdered by her mother for having an illegitimate child.

Guy of Gisborne is a skilled archer who challenges Robin Hood to a contest to determine who is the better marksman.

Tristan and Isolde is a medieval romance that tells the story of two lovers who are separated by death after drinking a love potion.

The three ravens observe a dead knight, a dying horse, and a weeping widow on the battlefield, symbolizing the tragic consequences of war.

The Erlking is a German ballad that tells the story of a father who tries to protect his son from the Erlking, a supernatural creature who steals children.

The young woman in the ballad gives birth to a baby boy under a cherry tree, fulfilling the prophecy that she would conceive a child by a knight.

Tam Lin is a Scottish ballad that tells the story of a young man who is captured by the Queen of the Fairies and must perform a series of tasks to win his freedom.

Smaug is the name of the dragon that terrorizes the countryside in the ballad The Dragon of Wantley.

The Nut-Brown Maid is a traditional English ballad that tells the story of a young woman who is forced to choose between her lover and her family.

The three drowned sons ask their mother to bake them bread, symbolizing their desire for nourishment and comfort in the afterlife.