Scan 261
A dictionary of old English music & musical instruments 1923, 1923
7 lines. Read by computer on 19 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 231. See the scan on archive.org.
1"Vyalls." In 1555 the word "Violon" is used, and we find it frequently during the reign of Mary Tudor and Elizabeth. These entries have caused many authorities to come to the conclusion that the modern violin was used in England thus early in the Tudor era. I shall return to this point later; for the moment let it suffice that I consider the term "Violin" to have been applied to the smaller Viols—Treble and Tenor—thus giving the Italian diminutive termination its proper sense, while the word "Viol" was employed for the larger, or bass, viol.
3The accession of Queen Elizabeth and the general elevation of the musical plane in England had their effect upon the viols. Their use became more extended, and the excellence of the composers of the period settled the artistic future of the instrument. At Court the Italian performers were still employed, but English names began to become more and more frequent. The entries in the State Papers of that period provide a good deal of very interesting information of every kind. Thus, Additional MS. 5750 (British Museum) tells us that a "sett of Vyalls" cost the Queen "the some of 15 poundes." It is also instructive to note that the Italian players, who have hitherto been described as "Vials" or "Violons," appear in 1559 as "Violetts." There can be no doubt that the same Viols were meant in each case, and that "Violet" was used as a diminutive for Viol just as was "Violon." The prices paid by Elizabeth for a set of Viols seems to have been a usual one, for the "Account Book" of Trinity College, Cambridge, for 1595 gives the item: "xiiili for a sett of Vialles." The cost of "viall strings and mending ye College Instruments" was twelve shillings. Sir Thomas Kytson, of Hengrave Hall, paid 20s. for "a treble violin" in 1592, and when he died he left "six violenns." I have no doubt that Treble and Tenor Viols were meant in each case. one of two readings
4The accession of Queen Elizabeth and the general elevation of the musical plane in England had their effect upon the viols. Their use became more extended, and the excellence of the composers of the period settled the artistic future of the instrument. At Court the Italian performers were still employed, but English names began to become more and more frequent. The entries in the State Papers of that period provide a good deal of very interesting information of every kind. Thus, Additional MS. 5750 (British Museum) tells us that a "sett of Vyalls" cost the Queen "the some of 15 poundes." It is also instructive to note that the Italian players, who have hitherto been described as "Vials" or "Violons," appear in 1559 as "Violetts." There can be no doubt that the same Viols were meant in each case, and that "Violet" was used as a diminutive for Viol just as was "Violon." The prices paid by Elizabeth for a set of Viols seems to have been a usual one, for the "Account Book" of Trinity College, Cambridge, for 1595 gives the item: "xiiiili for a sett of Vialles." The cost of "viall strings and mending ye College Instruments" was twelve shillings. Sir Thomas Kytson, of Hengrave Hall, paid 20s. for "a treble violin" in 1592, and when he died he left "six violenns." I have no doubt that Treble and Tenor Viols were meant in each case. one of two readings
6Towards the end of Elizabeth's reign the way in which the Viols were used is very interesting to note. Besides the work of 1599 already alluded to (Pavans, Galliards, Almains, and other Short Aeirs both Grave and light, in five parts, for Viols, Violins, and other musical Winde Instruments) Anthony Holborne published a Cittharn Schoole in 1597, which contains, among other compositions, twenty-three pieces for the Cittern in Tablature, with an accompaniment in ordinary notation
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.