both the ballad and the murder case were based on the trial of Pickett and Carey for the murder of Stevenson in Sibsey.

it was Williams' first time in the jury in Lincolnshire.

the first paragraph gives background information of life in the town. the trial judges attended church, where the sermon was preached by the Sheriff's chaplain (apprentice/helper) showing a strong connection between church and state in England.

judges

a courthouse that served as a dedicated court of quarter sessions, where criminal trials were held

a solemn procession, especially for a funeral.

a common name given to a building that houses the seat of local government for a county.

argues that the cause of the murder was "drink", and that nothing good may come from it.

persistently avoid, ignore, or reject (someone or something) through antipathy or caution

ballads were hung and displayed in public places at the time. when it says this, it warns the people of Lincolnshire about the murder and warns them not to do what they did, rather than just being a story as we are reading today.

rhyme schemes every other verse, such as "way" and "stay", as well as "cheer" and "near". this carries throughout the whole poem

having or showing a stubborn and determined intention to do as one wants, regardless of the consequences or effects.

shows events from the trial, and provides more information on the reasoning why Pickett and Carey were charged.

as the son sees blood on Pickett and Carey's clothes, he ran to the police station, leading to the two men being charged with the murder of Stevenson.

provides further information of the crime and the evidence that led Pickett and Carey to be found guilty.

many literary genres do not use such gore as "robbed and murdered", "skull smashed to pieces", and "murdered in a brutal way".

the act of the neighbor telling the son is important. the son is then the character who saw Pickett and Carey with blood on their clothes, and accused them of the murder of his father.

after his murder, he was found by a neighbor in a ditch (two or three days later).

restates what has already been said before in the ballad (repetition in a poem/reinforcing the main points or most important parts?)

back to the actual event of the crime, where Pickett and Carey followed him from the public house.

returns back to before the murder, where Stevenson was at the "public house" (bar).

description of the actual event of the murder.

referring to Pickett and Carey, who were his murderers.

motive for the murder = money.

figure out what the "ship" is.. foreshadowing? (as it was maybe irregular for him not to return directly home).

Stevenson lived in the village. he left his home to go to the market prior to the murder.

provides information about the victim. being age 64 shows he was fairly old.

"another" provides background information that the village possibly had high crime rates?

the ballad takes place in England