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alliterative literature
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
Angelus ad virginem
Angelus ad virginem: why early music and traditional music share the same gene pool
Agincourt Carol
Taming the Devil’s carol: Ther is no rose of swych vertu … coming soon
animals playing instruments
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
Arbeau, Thoinot
The pavan, the priest and the pseudonym: Belle qui tiens ma vie and Arbeau’s Orchésographie (1589)
archlute
The lute: a brief history from the 13th to the 18th century
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
armed man, The / L’homme armé
L’homme armé / The armed man: the remarkable life of a 15th century song and its contemporary resonance
art – see iconography
Astripotens famulos (Kind ruler of the stars)
* Polyphonic treasure in Lambeth Palace: three unique pieces from MS 457, c. 1200
bagpipe
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 4/8: The minstrels of the tombs, reredos, Saint Katherine’s chapel, and south transept
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 7/8: Tudor misericords and neo-Gothic musicians
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
bandora
* Wired for sound: the bandora and orpharion
* How to play bandora music on the lute ~ or ~ The relationship between the tunings of the lute, bandora, orpharion and penorcon: some practical observations for lute players
baroque guitar – see guitar
baroque lute – see lute
baroque music
Baroque music: a brief tour of the extravagant last period of early music
Belle qui tiens ma vie
The pavan, the priest and the pseudonym: Belle qui tiens ma vie and Arbeau’s Orchésographie (1589)
bells
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
Beowulf
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
Beverley Minster
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 1/8: Foundation, destruction, and restoration.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 4/8: The minstrels of the tombs, reredos, Saint Katherine’s chapel, and south transept.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 5/8: The “Order of the Ancient Company or Fraternity of Minstralls in Beverley”.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 6/8: Medieval beasts and allegories.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 7/8: Tudor misericords and neo-Gothic musicians.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 8/8: The strange and continuing history of the minstrels’ neglect.
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
Bird on a briar
* Bird on a briar: interpreting medieval notation, with a HIP harp arrangement
* Bird on a briar (bryd one brere): constructing the missing voice
Bob the Builder (spoof article for 1st April)
NEW DISCOVERY! Rob. mason, builder, his galiard
Boissart mandore – see mandore
Bosch, Jheronimus
* Performable music in medieval and renaissance art
Jheronimus Bosch and the music of hell. Part 1/3: The modern myth of Bosch’s butt music
* Jheronimus Bosch and the music of hell. Part 2/3: The Garden of Earthly Delights
* Jheronimus Bosch and the music of hell. Part 3/3: Music and musicians in the complete works of Bosch
A brief history of farting in early music and literature
bray harp
The bray harp: getting a buzz from early music
One song to the tune of another: early music common practice, 800 years before Humph
Westron wynde: a beautiful fragment of longing
The lute: a brief history from the 13th to the 18th century
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 1/3: Understanding medieval art
Taming the Devil’s carol: Ther is no rose of swych vertu (video) … coming soon
bray lute
The lute: a brief history from the 13th to the 18th century
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 1/3: Understanding medieval art
Breve regnum erigitur
Early music in fascist fires – or – The extraordinary survival of a Polish early music gem: Breve regnum erigitur … coming soon
Bring us in good ale
One song to the tune of another: early music common practice, 800 years before Humph
broadside ballads
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 3/4: Richard Tarleton the musician and broadside writer
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 4/4: Tributes to Tarleton – with a musical discovery from the 16th century
Baroque music: a brief tour of the extravagant last period of early music
Calen o Custure me: a Tudor love song with garbled Gaelic?
Greensleeves: Mythology, History and Music. Part 1 of 3: Mythology
Greensleeves: Mythology, History and Music. Part 2 of 3: History
Greensleeves: Mythology, History and Music. Part 3 of 3: Music
One song to the tune of another: early music common practice, 800 years before Humph
Drive the cold Winter away: the meaning of a 17th century seasonal song
Bryd one brere
* Bird on a briar: interpreting medieval notation, with a HIP harp arrangement
* Bird on a briar (bryd one brere): constructing the missing voice
Calen o Custure me (Cailín ó Chois tSiúre mé, Caleno custure me, Callin o custure me, Callino Casturame, Calmie custure me)
Calen o Custure me: a Tudor love song with garbled Gaelic?
Cantigas de Santa Maria
* “Why do you not praise her?”: the Virgin Mary and the troubadours (Cantigas de Santa Maria article 1/6)
* “I wish from this day forth to be her troubadour”: the composition of the Cantigas de Santa Maria (CSM article 2/6)
* The Virgin’s vengeance and Regina’s rewards: the surprising character of Mary in the Cantigas de Santa Maria (CSM article 3/6)
* The animated chop of meat (and other miraculous marvels): pilgrimage songs in the Cantigas de Santa Maria (CSM article 4/6)
* “Infidels”, “traitors” and “that ugly bearded crew”: fear and loathing in the Cantigas de Santa Maria (CSM article 5/6)
* Surprising songs of sentient statues: the Virgin, Venus, and Jason and the Argonauts (Cantigas de Santa Maria article 6/6)
* Performing medieval music. Part 1: Instrumentation
* Performing medieval music. Part 2: Turning monophony into polyphony
* Performing medieval music. Part 3: The medieval style
Carols, carolling
Taming the Devil’s carol: Ther is no rose of swych vertu … coming soon
Carter, Sydney
Songs that grow like trees: an appreciation of Sydney Carter (1915–2004)
cetra
* The citole: from confusion to clarity. Part 1/2: What is a citole?
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 1/2: Medieval plectrum materials and manufacture
Chansonnier du Roi
* La prime Estampie Royal: completing the fragment of a medieval melody
* The complete French estampies of c. 1300: music, analysis, performance
chant – see ecclesiastical chant
cithara, kithara
The guitar: a brief history from the renaissance to the modern day
The medieval harp (1/3): origins and development
The medieval harp (2/3): harp symbolism
* The citole: from confusion to clarity. Part 1/2: What is a citole?
* The citole: from confusion to clarity. Part 2/2: playing style and repertoire
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 1/2: Medieval plectrum materials and manufacture
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 2/2: Medieval and early renaissance plectrum technique
The vihuela and viola da mano: siblings of the lute
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
citole
* The citole: from confusion to clarity. Part 1/2: What is a citole?
* The citole: from confusion to clarity. Part 2/2: playing style and repertoire
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 1/2: Medieval plectrum materials and manufacture
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 2/2: Medieval and early renaissance plectrum technique
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
The guitar: a brief history from the renaissance to the modern day
* The mysteries of the medieval fiddle: lifting the veil on the vielle
* The English estampie: interpreting a medieval dance(?) tune – see video
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 1/3: Understanding medieval art
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 2/3: 10 principles for interpreting iconography
cittern
* The citole: from confusion to clarity. Part 1/2: What is a citole?
The guitar: a brief history from the renaissance to the modern day
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
cláirseach / clársach
The medieval harp (1/3): origins and development
clavicembalum
* The Psilvery Psound of the Psaltery: a brief history
The medieval portative organ: an interview with Cristina Alís Raurich
clavicytherium
The medieval portative organ: an interview with Cristina Alís Raurich
clowns, fools, jesters
Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 1/4: Tarleton’s place in the history of fools, clowns and jesters
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 2/4: Tarleton the player and playwright
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 3/4: Richard Tarleton the musician and broadside writer
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 4/4: Tributes to Tarleton – with a musical discovery from the 16th century
* Performable music in medieval and renaissance art
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 7/8: Tudor misericords and neo-Gothic musicians
coboz, koboz, kobza
* The Elbląg ‘gittern’: a case of mistaken identity. Part 1/2: Why the koboz was misidentified.
* The Elbląg ‘gittern’: a case of mistaken identity. Part 2/2: Identifying the koboz
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 7/8: Tudor misericords and neo-Gothic musicians
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
contrafactum (singular) / contrafacta (plural)
One song to the tune of another: early music common practice, 800 years before Humph
* Sumer is icumen in / Perspice Christicola: silencing the cuckoo
cornamuse (wind cap instrument)
The crumhorn: a short history
cornetto, cornet, cornett, zink
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 7/8: Tudor misericords and neo-Gothic musicians
Coventry Carol
Coventry Carol: the power of a song
crumhorn
The crumhorn: a short history
cup cymbals
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
dance
The pavan, the priest and the pseudonym: Belle qui tiens ma vie and Arbeau’s Orchésographie (1589)
Music of the renaissance: a whistle-stop tour
Baroque music: a brief tour of the extravagant last period of early music
* Performing medieval music. Part 3: the medieval style
* The English estampie: interpreting a medieval dance(?) tune
The first dancing master’s manual: Domenico da Piacenza and the art of dance
* The citole: from confusion to clarity. Part 2/2: playing style and repertoire
de Machaut, Guillaume – see Guillaume de Machaut
Deo gracias anglica
Taming the Devil’s carol: Ther is no rose of swych vertu … coming soon
Doll thi ale
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
Domenico da Piacenza
The first dancing master’s manual: Domenico da Piacenza and the art of dance
Dowland, John
Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 1/4: Tarleton’s place in the history of fools, clowns and jesters
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 4/4: Tributes to Tarleton – with a musical discovery from the 16th century
The lute: a brief history from the 13th to the 18th century
The scandalous la volta: “such a lewd and unchaste dance”
Music of the renaissance: a whistle-stop tour
Greensleeves: Mythology, History and Music. Part 1 of 3: Mythology
drama, historical
In defence of the unhistorical drama
Drive the cold Winter away
Drive the cold Winter away: the meaning of a 17th century seasonal song
dulcimer, hammer(ed)
* The Psilvery Psound of the Psaltery: a brief history
early music and folk/traditional music – see traditional/folk music and early music
ecclesiastical chant
Rediscovering the vitality of medieval chant: an interview with Bruno de Labriolle
Edi beo þu heuene quene
Edi beo þu heuene quene: a love song by any name
* “Why do you not praise her?”: the Virgin Mary and the troubadours (Cantigas de Santa Maria article 1/6)
* Performing medieval music. Part 2: Turning monophony into polyphony
* Bird on a briar (bryd one brere): constructing the missing voice
* The citole: from confusion to clarity. Part 2/2: playing style and repertoire
estampie
* The English estampie: interpreting a medieval dance(?) tune
* Kalenda maya, the troubadours, and the lessons of traditional music
* La prime Estampie Royal: completing the fragment of a medieval melody
The medieval harp (1/3): origins and development (video)
The medieval harp (2/3): harp symbolism (video)
* The medieval harp (3/3): performance practice (video)
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 3/3: Making the Martini gittern (video)
* The complete French estampies of c. 1300: music, analysis, performance
* What is an estampie? Historical evidence, modern myths … coming soon
Falsobordone (early music duo)
Music for a plague: an interview with Falsobordone
farting
A brief history of farting in early music and literature
fiddle, medieval
* On the medieval fiddle: a short introduction to the vielle
* The mysteries of the medieval fiddle: lifting the veil on the vielle
* Performing medieval music. Part 2: Turning monophony into polyphony
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 4/8: The minstrels of the tombs, reredos, Saint Katherine’s chapel, and south transept
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 7/8: Tudor misericords and neo-Gothic musicians
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 2/3: 10 principles for interpreting iconography
films, historical
In defence of the unhistorical drama
foliate heads
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 6/8: Medieval beasts and allegories.
folk/traditional music and early music – see traditional/folk music and early music
fools, jesters, clowns
Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 1/4: Tarleton’s place in the history of fools, clowns and jesters
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 2/4: Tarleton the player and playwright
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 3/4: Richard Tarleton the musician and broadside writer
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 4/4: Tributes to Tarleton – with a musical discovery from the 16th century
* Performable music in medieval and renaissance art
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 7/8: Tudor misericords and neo-Gothic musicians
Foweles in þe frith
* Foweles in þe frith (birds in the wood): mystery and beauty in a 13th century song
* The citole: from confusion to clarity. Part 2/2: playing style and repertoire
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
Francesco Canova da Milano
The lute: a brief history from the 13th to the 18th century
The medieval harp (2/3): harp symbolism
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 2/2: Medieval and early renaissance plectrum technique
The vihuela and viola da mano: siblings of the lute
gemshorn
The gemshorn: a (necessarily) short history
gittern
* The gittern: a short history
* La prime Estampie Royal: completing the fragment of a medieval melody – see video
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 1/2: Medieval plectrum materials and manufacture
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 2/2: Medieval and early renaissance plectrum technique
* The Elbląg ‘gittern’: a case of mistaken identity. Part 1/2: Why the koboz was misidentified
* The Elbląg ‘gittern’: a case of mistaken identity. Part 2/2: Identifying the koboz
* Performing medieval music. Part 2: Turning monophony into polyphony
The guitar: a brief history from the renaissance to the modern day
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 1/3: Understanding medieval art
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 2/3: 10 principles for interpreting iconography
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 3/3: Making the Martini gittern
goliards
One song to the tune of another: early music common practice, 800 years before Humph
green man
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 6/8: Medieval beasts and allegories.
Greensleeves
Greensleeves: Mythology, History and Music. Part 1 of 3: Mythology
Greensleeves: Mythology, History and Music. Part 2 of 3: History
Greensleeves: Mythology, History and Music. Part 3 of 3: Music
Gregorian chant – see ecclesiastical chant
Guillaume de Machaut
* The English estampie: interpreting a medieval dance(?) tune
* La prime Estampie Royal: completing the fragment of a medieval melody
Music for a plague: an interview with Falsobordone
guitar
The guitar: a brief history from the renaissance to the modern day
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
hammer dulcimer
* The Psilvery Psound of the Psaltery: a brief history
harp
The bray harp: getting a buzz from early music
* Bird on a briar: interpreting medieval notation, with a HIP harp arrangement
* Mirie it is while sumer ilast: decoding the earliest surviving secular song in English
The medieval harp (1/3): origins and development
The medieval harp (2/3): harp symbolism
* The medieval harp (3/3): performance practice
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 4/8: The minstrels of the tombs, reredos, Saint Katherine’s chapel, and south transept
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 7/8: Tudor misericords and neo-Gothic musicians
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 2/3: 10 principles for interpreting iconography
harpsichord
* The Psilvery Psound of the Psaltery: a brief history
The medieval portative organ: an interview with Cristina Alís Raurich
historical drama
In defence of the unhistorical drama
historically informed performance (HIP)
* Performing medieval music. Part 1: Instrumentation
* Performing medieval music. Part 2: Turning monophony into polyphony
* Performing medieval music. Part 3: The medieval style
Music for a plague: an interview with Falsobordone
* La prime Estampie Royal: completing the fragment of a medieval melody
* The medieval harp (3/3): performance practice
* The citole: from confusion to clarity. Part 2/2: playing style and repertoire
* Polyphonic treasure in Lambeth Palace: three unique pieces from MS 457, c. 1200
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 1/2: Medieval plectrum materials and manufacture
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 2/2: Medieval and early renaissance plectrum technique
Rediscovering the vitality of medieval chant: an interview with Bruno de Labriolle
* The complete French estampies of c. 1300: music, analysis, performance
horn
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 4/8: The minstrels of the tombs, reredos, Saint Katherine’s chapel, and south transept
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 7/8: Tudor misericords and neo-Gothic musicians
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
hurdy gurdy (vielle à roue)
* The medieval organistrum or symphonie: a short history of the early vielle à roue or hurdy gurdy … coming soon
* The medieval harp (3/3): performance practice
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
iconography
* Performable music in medieval and renaissance art
Jheronimus Bosch and the music of hell. Part 1/3: The modern myth of Bosch’s butt music
* Jheronimus Bosch and the music of hell. Part 2/3: The Garden of Earthly Delights
* Jheronimus Bosch and the music of hell. Part 3/3: Music and musicians in the complete works of Bosch
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 1/8: Foundation, destruction, and restoration.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 4/8: The minstrels of the tombs, reredos, Saint Katherine’s chapel, and south transept.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 6/8: Medieval beasts and allegories.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 7/8: Tudor misericords and neo-Gothic musicians.
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments.
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
MIMFABB: Musical Iconography in Medieval French and British Buildings by Laurence Wright
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 1/3: Understanding medieval art
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 2/3: 10 principles for interpreting iconography
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 3/3: Making the Martini gittern
In dulci jubilo
Nails, needles, chains and angels: the pain and joy of In dulci jubilo
instrument straps
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
istanpitta – see estampie
jesters, fools, clowns
Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 1/4: Tarleton’s place in the history of fools, clowns and jesters
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 2/4: Tarleton the player and playwright
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 3/4: Richard Tarleton the musician and broadside writer
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 4/4: Tributes to Tarleton – with a musical discovery from the 16th century
* Performable music in medieval and renaissance art
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 7/8: Tudor misericords and neo-Gothic musicians
jongleurs – see minstrels
Kalenda maya
* Kalenda maya, the troubadours, and the lessons of traditional music
kithara, cithara
The guitar: a brief history from the renaissance to the modern day
The medieval harp (1/3): origins and development
The medieval harp (2/3): harp symbolism
* The citole: from confusion to clarity. Part 1/2: What is a citole?
* The citole: from confusion to clarity. Part 2/2: playing style and repertoire
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 1/2: Medieval plectrum materials and manufacture
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 2/2: Medieval and early renaissance plectrum technique
The vihuela and viola da mano: siblings of the lute
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
koboz, kobza, coboz
* The Elbląg ‘gittern’: a case of mistaken identity. Part 1/2: Why the koboz was misidentified
* The Elbląg ‘gittern’: a case of mistaken identity. Part 2/2: Identifying the koboz
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 7/8: Tudor misericords and neo-Gothic musicians
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 2/3: 10 principles for interpreting iconography
Labriolle, Bruno de
Rediscovering the vitality of medieval chant: an interview with Bruno de Labriolle
Lambeth Palace Library MS 457
* Polyphonic treasure in Lambeth Palace: three unique pieces from MS 457, c. 1200
Latin guitar
The guitar: a brief history from the renaissance to the modern day
Letabundus exultet fidelis chorus
Taming the Devil’s carol: Ther is no rose of swych vertu … coming soon
L’homme armé / The armed man
L’homme armé / The armed man: the remarkable life of a 15th century song and its contemporary resonance
Lully, lulla, thow littell tiné child
Coventry Carol: the power of a song
lute
The lute: a brief history from the 13th to the 18th century
* Performable music in medieval and renaissance art
The medieval harp (2/3): harp symbolism
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 1/2: Medieval plectrum materials and manufacture
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 2/2: Medieval and early renaissance plectrum technique
The vihuela and viola da mano: siblings of the lute
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 1/3: Understanding medieval art
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 2/3: 10 principles for interpreting iconography
* How to play bandora music on the lute ~ or ~ The relationship between the tunings of the lute, bandora, orpharion and penorcon: some practical observations for lute players
Lyke-Wake Dirge
The Lyke-Wake Dirge: the revival of an Elizabethan song of the afterlife
lyre
The medieval harp (1/3): origins and development
The medieval harp (2/3): harp symbolism
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 1/2: Medieval plectrum materials and manufacture
Machaut, Guillaume de – see Guillaume de Machaut
Magno gaudens
Boy bishops, role reversals, and a rare 13th century song: Magno gaudens … coming soon
mandore
The beautiful Boissart mandore, part 1 of 3: The pre-history of the mandore
* The beautiful Boissart mandore, part 2 of 3: Obervations on the Boissart mandore
The beautiful Boissart mandore, part 3 of 3: Creating a new mandore inspired by the ‘Boissart’ design
Manuscrit du Roi
* La prime Estampie Royal: completing the fragment of a medieval melody
* The complete French estampies of c. 1300: music, analysis, performance
Mater dei (Mother of God)
* Polyphonic treasure in Lambeth Palace: three unique pieces from MS 457, c. 1200
Me lykyþ ever þe lenger þe bet
“Wyngestyr that joly syte”: a 15th century song in praise of Winchester … coming soon
medieval fiddle – see vielle
medieval harp – see harp
medieval lute – see lute
medieval music
Medieval music: a quick guide to the middle ages
* Performing medieval music. Part 1: Instrumentation
* Performing medieval music. Part 2: Turning monophony into polyphony
* Performing medieval music. Part 3: The medieval style
* Performable music in medieval and renaissance art
* “the verray develes officeres”: minstrels and the medieval church
medieval music notation, theory, modes
* Bird on a briar: interpreting medieval notation, with a HIP harp arrangement
* Bird on a briar: constructing the missing voice
* Mirie it is while sumer ilast: decoding the earliest surviving secular song in English
* The mysteries of the medieval fiddle: lifting the veil on the vielle
* The English estampie: interpreting a medieval dance(?) tune
* Kalenda maya, the troubadours, and the lessons of traditional music
* Performing medieval music. Part 1: Instrumentation
* Performing medieval music. Part 2: Turning monophony into polyphony
* Performing medieval music. Part 3: The medieval style
* Foweles in þe frith (birds in the wood): mystery and beauty in a 13th century song
Jheronimus Bosch and the music of hell. Part 1/3: The modern myth of Bosch’s butt music
medley (ballad genre)
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 3/4: Richard Tarleton the musician and broadside writer
minstrels
* Jheronimus Bosch and the music of hell. Part 2/3: The Garden of Earthly Delights
* Jheronimus Bosch and the music of hell. Part 3/3: Music and musicians in the complete works of Bosch
* “the verray develes officeres”: minstrels and the medieval church
* The medieval harp (3/3): performance practice
* The citole: from confusion to clarity. Part 2/2: playing style and repertoire
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 1/8: Foundation, destruction, and restoration.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 4/8: The minstrels of the tombs, reredos, Saint Katherine’s chapel, and south transept.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 5/8: The “Order of the Ancient Company or Fraternity of Minstralls in Beverley”.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 7/8: Tudor misericords and neo-Gothic musicians.
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 8/8: The strange and continuing history of the minstrels’ neglect.
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
Attitudes to minstrels and musical instruments in Old French narrative poetry, 1100-1400, PhD thesis by Laurence Wright (scroll 2/3 way down page for access)
miracle plays – see mystery plays and miracle plays
Mirie it is while sumer ilast
* Mirie it is while sumer ilast: decoding the earliest surviving secular song in English
Miro genere (By a wondrous birth)
* Polyphonic treasure in Lambeth Palace: three unique pieces from MS 457, c. 1200
misericords
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 7/8: Tudor misericords and neo-Gothic musicians.
Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 1/4: Tarleton’s place in the history of fools, clowns and jesters
modes – see medieval music notation, theory, modes
Moorish guitar
The guitar: a brief history from the renaissance to the modern day
morris dancing
Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 1/4: Tarleton’s place in the history of fools, clowns and jesters
movies, historical
In defence of the unhistorical drama
musical animals – see animals playing instruments
musical instrument straps
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
mystery plays and miracle plays
Coventry Carol: the power of a song
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 5/8: The “Order of the Ancient Company or Fraternity of Minstralls in Beverley”
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
nakers
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 4/8: The minstrels of the tombs, reredos, Saint Katherine’s chapel, and south transept
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
Narváez, Luys de
The vihuela and viola da mano: siblings of the lute
Notre Dame school
* Polyphonic treasure in Lambeth Palace: three unique pieces from MS 457, c. 1200
“the verray develes officeres”: minstrels and the medieval church
* Foweles in þe frith (birds in the wood): mystery and beauty in a 13th century song
* Performing medieval music. Part 2/3: Turning monophony into polyphony
* Kalenda maya, the troubadours, and the lessons of traditional music
Rediscovering the vitality of medieval chant: an interview with Bruno de Labriolle
oliphant, olifant, olyphant
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 4/8: The minstrels of the tombs, reredos, Saint Katherine’s chapel, and south transept
Orchésographie
The pavan, the priest and the pseudonym: Belle qui tiens ma vie and Arbeau’s Orchésographie (1589)
organ
See portative organ or positive organ.
organistrum, simfonia, sinfonye, symphonie
* The medieval organistrum or symphonie: a short history of the early vielle à roue or hurdy gurdy … coming soon
* The medieval harp (3/3): performance practice
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
orpharion
* Wired for sound: the bandora and orpharion
Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 1/4: Tarleton’s place in the history of fools, clowns and jesters
* How to play bandora music on the lute ~ or ~ The relationship between the tunings of the lute, bandora, orpharion and penorcon: some practical observations for lute players
oud
The oud: a short guide to a long history
The lute: a brief history from the 13th to the 18th century
penorcon
* Wired for sound: the bandora and orpharion
* How to play bandora music on the lute ~ or ~ The relationship between the tunings of the lute, bandora, orpharion and penorcon: some practical observations for lute players
percussion – see bells, cup cymbals, nakers, pipe and tabor, timbrel
Pérès, Marcel
Rediscovering the vitality of medieval chant: an interview with Bruno de Labriolle
Perspice Christicola
* Sumer is icumen in / Perspice Christicola: silencing the cuckoo
Petrarch, Francesco
Medieval music: a quick guide to the middle ages
Music for a plague: an interview with Falsobordone
Piers Plowman
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
pipe and tabor
Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 1/4: Tarleton’s place in the history of fools, clowns and jesters
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 3/4: Richard Tarleton the musician and broadside writer
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 7/8: Tudor misericords and neo-Gothic musicians
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
plectrums
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 1/2: Medieval plectrum materials and manufacture
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 2/2: Medieval and early renaissance plectrum technique
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 2/3: 10 principles for interpreting iconography
polyphony
* Performing medieval music. Part 2: Turning monophony into polyphony
* The citole: from confusion to clarity. Part 2/2: playing style and repertoire
* Polyphonic treasure in Lambeth Palace: three unique pieces from MS 457, c. 1200
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 2/2: Medieval and early renaissance plectrum technique
portative organ
The medieval portative organ: an interview with Cristina Alís Raurich
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 4/8: The minstrels of the tombs, reredos, Saint Katherine’s chapel, and south transept
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
positive organ
The medieval portative organ: an interview with Cristina Alís Raurich
psaltery
* The Psilvery Psound of the Psaltery: a brief history
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 1/2: Medieval plectrum materials and manufacture
* Medieval plectrums: the written, iconographical and material evidence. Part 2/2: Medieval and early renaissance plectrum technique
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 4/8: The minstrels of the tombs, reredos, Saint Katherine’s chapel, and south transept
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
rebec
The rebec: a short history from court to street
* The mysteries of the medieval fiddle: lifting the veil on the vielle
renaissance dance
The pavan, the priest and the pseudonym: Belle qui tiens ma vie and Arbeau’s Orchésographie (1589)
Music of the renaissance: a whistle-stop tour
renaissance music
Music of the renaissance: a whistle-stop tour
renaissance guitar – see guitar
renaissance lute – see lute
rota (rote, rotta, rothe)
The medieval harp (1/3): origins and development
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 2/3: 10 principles for interpreting iconography
Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
Salutation carol
One song to the tune of another: early music common practice, 800 years before Humph
Shakespeare, William
Playing Shakespeare: the music of the Bard
The song Shakespeare stole from: a discovery from the 16th century (spoof article for 1st April)
Calen o Custure me: a Tudor love song with garbled Gaelic?
In defence of the unhistorical drama
Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 1/4: Tarleton’s place in the history of fools, clowns and jesters
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 2/4: Tarleton the player and playwright
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 4/4: Tributes to Tarleton – with a musical discovery from the 16th century
simfonia, sinfonye, symphonie, organistrum
* The medieval organistrum or symphonie: a short history of the early vielle à roue or hurdy gurdy … coming soon
* The medieval harp (3/3): performance practice
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
Solesmes Abbey
Rediscovering the vitality of medieval chant: an interview with Bruno de Labriolle
spinet
* The Psilvery Psound of the Psaltery: a brief history
Stella splendens
* The citole: from confusion to clarity. Part 2/2: playing style and repertoire
straps
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
Sumer is icumen in
* Sumer is icumen in / Perspice Christicola: silencing the cuckoo
Medieval music: a quick guide to the middle ages
Greensleeves: Mythology, History and Music. Part 2 of 3: History
One song to the tune of another: early music common practice, 800 years before Humph
simfonia, sinfonye, symphonie, organistrum
* The medieval organistrum or symphonie: a short history of the early vielle à roue or hurdy gurdy … coming soon
* The medieval harp (3/3): performance practice
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
Tabourot, Jehan
The pavan, the priest and the pseudonym: Belle qui tiens ma vie and Arbeau’s Orchésographie (1589)
tambourine
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
Tarleton / Tarlton, Richard
Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 1/4: Tarleton’s place in the history of fools, clowns and jesters
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 2/4: Tarleton the player and playwright
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 3/4: Richard Tarleton the musician and broadside writer
* Tarleton’s Resurrection. Part 4/4: Tributes to Tarleton – with a musical discovery from the 16th century
theorbo
The lute: a brief history from the 13th to the 18th century
* The evidence for straps used with medieval, renaissance and baroque musical instruments
Ther is no rose of swych vertu
Taming the Devil’s carol: Ther is no rose of swych vertu … coming soon
timbrel
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
traditional/folk music and early music
Angelus ad virginem: why early music and traditional music share the same gene pool
* Kalenda maya, the troubadours, and the lessons of traditional music
* Performing medieval music. Part 3: The medieval style
Drive the cold Winter away: the meaning of a 17th century seasonal song
Trees they do grow high, The
* The trees they do grow high: a ballad of medieval arranged marriage?
Trinity Carol Roll
Taming the Devil’s carol: Ther is no rose of swych vertu … coming soon
troubadours and trouvères
* Kalenda maya, the troubadours, and the lessons of traditional music
* “Why do you not praise her?”: the Virgin Mary and the troubadours (Cantigas de Santa Maria article 1/6)
* “I wish from this day forth to be her troubadour”: the composition of the Cantigas de Santa Maria (CSM article 2/6)
* Bird on a briar: interpreting medieval notation, with a HIP harp arrangement
* The citole: from confusion to clarity. Part 2/2: playing style and repertoire
vielle (medieval fiddle)
* On the medieval fiddle: a short introduction to the vielle
* The mysteries of the medieval fiddle: lifting the veil on the vielle
* Performing medieval music. Part 2: Turning monophony into polyphony
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 2/8: The minstrels of the arcades, triforium and capital
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 3/8: The minstrels of the west, north and south walls
* The medieval minstrels of Beverley Minster. Part 4/8: The minstrels of the tombs, reredos, Saint Katherine’s chapel, and south transept
* Alliterative animals making medieval music in Saint Mary’s Church, Cogges (14th century)
* How reliable is medieval music iconography? Part 2/3: 10 principles for interpreting iconography
vielle à roue (hurdy gurdy)
* The medieval organistrum or symphonie: a short history of the early vielle à roue or hurdy gurdy … coming soon
vihuela, vihuela da mano
The vihuela and viola da mano: siblings of the lute
viola da mano
The vihuela and viola da mano: siblings of the lute
viola de arco, viola d’arco
The vihuela and viola da mano: siblings of the lute
virginal
* The Psilvery Psound of the Psaltery: a brief history
volta, la
The scandalous la volta: “such a lewd and unchaste dance”
Westron wynde
Westron wynde: a beautiful fragment of longing
Winchester
“Wyngestyr that joly syte”: a 15th century song in praise of Winchester … coming soon
zink – see cornetto
Thought I would sign up for notifications to encourage me to look occasionally.
Nick
What an interesting blog: thank you!
Can any list the Wedding Music from the 1511 Sabina of Bavaria/ Duke Ulrich of Wurttemberg ill-fated marriage? The 6/7vv “In Summis”(modern name) Mass was by Heinrich Finck (c.1444-1527).
All leads welcomed!
Perhaps this page isn’t the ideal location for such a question, Sigmund. There are lots of specialist early music pages on Facebook. Perhaps someone there may know. I’m afraid I don’t. Good luck!
Thanks for your blog. Really interesting a well written articles. Any idea of evidence for the bowed psaltery? It’s often used as a ” medieval” instrument but lacking in documentation?
Andy Hornby ( Winders of Wyresdale)
Hello, Andy. If you go to the article on the psaltery http://earlymusicmuse.com/psaltery/ you’ll see mention of the fact that the bowed psaltery is a modern instrument, unrelated to the true medieval psaltery. All the best. Ian
Dear Mr. Pittaway, I have a very good book with all the scores of Atalanta Fugiens. If you are interested, I can scan it and send it to you. If you want more information, just tell me.
Thanks a lot for your site and your work!
Warm regards,
Tancredo Braga
Hello, Tancredo, and thank you for your appreciation.
Atalanta Fugiens is an intriguing and wonderful piece of work. Thank you for your very kind offer. I have so much music on my shelves I want to get round to one day, so I am reluctant to add one more work to the pile! Did you know there is an excellent website with the whole work online, in facsimile, in translation, and all the works sung? You’ll find it at https://furnaceandfugue.org/
With my best wishes.
Ian
Just stumbled across your fine work when looking for the actual source of the image of a symphonia here https://www.music.iastate.edu/antiqua/instrument/hurdy-gurdy (with a suggest which implies it’s from the Liechtenstein gallery in Vienna, not Beverley Minster!).
What wonderful photos and documentation! Thank you for sharing this with us, and please keep up the good work!
Thank you, Simon. Yes, as this article describes https://earlymusicmuse.com/medieval-minstrels-of-beverley-minster-3/ not only is the carving from Beverley Minster, but it is a modern copy of another 14th century simfony in the arcade, and both are very confused depictions. There are many, many better examples, and I expect this one is used because it looks so unmarked by the passage of time, which it is, because it was carved in 1908.
Later this year there will be an article here on the history of the organistrum/simfony/simfonia, featuring a new instrument I’ve had made with top-mounted keys, as we see in a great deal of medieval iconography.
All the best.
Ian