While some ballads were attributed to specific authors like Thomas Percy, William Shakespeare, and Robert Burns, a large number of ballads were created by anonymous individuals who contributed to the rich oral tradition of the time.
It's important to note that these periods were also marked by a shift from purely oral transmission of ballads to written form. This process led to the collection and preservation of these ballads, enabling them to be studied and enjoyed by future generations.
Here's a summary:
* Anonymous Folk Singers and Storytellers: The primary composers of ballads during the 1400s and 1500s.
* Known Authors: While some ballads were attributed to authors, the majority were anonymous.
* Oral Tradition: Ballad creation and transmission primarily occurred through oral storytelling and singing.
* Written Form: As the written form gained prominence, ballads began to be collected and preserved.