New account of the challenges, deeds and acts of bravery of the most braggart of men, Frankie the Tailor

Madrid: Despacho de Marés y Compañia, [1867–74?]

It is not clear whether Francisquillo is real or invented. There was a real bandit, nicknamed Paco el Sastre, belonging to the band of Luis Candelas in the 1830s, and ‘Paco’ is, as ‘Francisquillo’, a nickname for Francisco. This example is of a man who bragged about his exploits. His weapon, in this case a gigantic pair of tailor’s scissors, seems implausible, but the point of his ballad is perhaps to say that even tailors can be violent. Historical examples are known of sheep-shears being utilized as weapons; perhaps this is hinted at here.

S743:1.c.8.2(2)