Notes on the Musical Instruments on the Labels of the Arches in the Mave of Beverley Minster.*

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By R. C. HOPE, F.S.A.

N the labels of the arches in the Nave is a most interesting series of musical instruments, C. 1330. They are arranged in the following order :

North arcade, from east to west.

1.-A figure playing a large three or five-stringed Rebec without bridge or soundholes, and holding the bow in the right hand. The sides of the instrument are cut away, it has no neck, but terminates in a circular box containing the three tuning pegs.

2.-A figure playing on a Tabor and Double Pipe, the Tabor, or small drum, is fastened to the left shoulder and beaten with the right hand, which holds a small stick, and which is crossed over the left hand, which fingers the two pipes, one shorter than the other.

3. An angel playing on a double Portative or Processional organ, it is provided with two sets of pipes, hence the term double. The right hand presses the keys, or small levers, and the left blows the bellows. The number of notes provided is seven or eight; within this limited diatonic scale-no sharps or flats are provided for nearly all, if not the whole of the early chants and hymn tunes were written. The instrument was able to be carried about, sometimes suspended from the neck, hence the term Portative in contra distinction to the Positine, or small stationary organ. They were of two feet pitch. These portable organs

when composed of reed pipes were called Regals, and when of flue pipes Portatives.

4.-An angel blowing a straight trumpet.

5.-An angel playing with a Plectrum on a large stringed instrument of the lute tribe, which has a long head piece. The right hand, which holds the Plectrum, is passed under and not over the instrument. 6. A venerable old man, with long hair and beard, holds with his right hand a peculiar shaped Harp, with a circular foot, apparently bound round with leather thongs, to which are attached four strings. In the sound board, looking from behind, is an opening. The left hand plucks the strings.

7.-A female performing on a very graceful Psalterion, the wires are strung transverse, and are struck with two little hammers. It was originally plucked with the fingers or a Plectrum, and was provided with three sound holes. It is suspended from the neck in front of the player. It is the prototype of the Spinet. 8.-A figure beating a large Tambourine, enclosing in its frame three Castanets. Both sides of the

Tambourine are covered.

9.-An old man playing on a Harp with five strings.

South arcade, from west to east.

10. A figure playing on a Bagpipe, Cornamúsa, Tympanum, which is provided with a short mouthpiece, chanter, and two drone pipes. On the chanter are six holes for the fingers of the performer. In the Fifteenth Century it was called the Cabretta, Chevrette, or Chevric, from the bag being composed of a goat's skin, in the Sixteenth Century it was also known as the Muse or Estive.

11. A figure playing on a simple Flute-à-bec with six finger holes. The Flute was blown like the modern Flageolet, until superseded by the Transverse Organum Flute, C. 1720. The figure wears a dagger suspended from his belt on his right side.

12.-A figure playing on a Shawm, a Recorder or

1

Brass Flute provided with seven holes, the lower joint of the instrument is of wider dimensions than the other portion of the instrument. The player wears a dagger on his left side.

13. An angel beating with the left hand a double Tambourine.

14. An angel plucking a five stringed Cittern with the right hand, the left "fingering" the strings.

15. An angel bowing with her right arm a Rebec of three strings, fingering with the left. The instrument has two semicircular sound holes facing each other, the ends of the sound holes terminating in small circles.

16.--An angel turning the handle of an Organistrum with the left hand, three fingers on the right hand are pressing down as many keys on the instrument, which is oblong, is strung with four strings, and is provided with six sound holes, three on either side, and nine keys.

17. A figure playing a Bagpipe, or Cornamúsa of unusual pattern. It has no drone, and the chanter, which is squared, is ornamented at its upper end with the head of a beast.

18. A female plucking with the fingers of the right hand a Cittern provided with four strings, fingered with the left hand, the peg or tuning box is diamond shaped, and contains four pegs.

Motes on the Minstrels' Pillar, St. Mary's

THE

Church, Beverley.*

By R. C. HOPE, F.S.A.

HE falling of the central tower in 1520 having ruined the nave, it was rebuilt in part in 1524 by the townspeople, especially on the north side, where the labels of the arches end in figures, with scrolls recording the donors. On the first pillar from the tower on the north side, the scroll on the nave side reads:--

"THYS PYLLOR

MADE THE

MEYNSTYRLS."

and on the north side in the aisle :

"ORATE PRO

ANIMABVS

HISTERIORVM."

Attached to the east face of the pillar are figures of the five "meynstyrls," each about twenty inches in height, standing on carved brackets. The first figure wears a pleated shirt with embroidered collar, a belted doublet with puffed sleeves and full skirt, a gorget or plastron upon his breast tied with points at the upper corners, hose and broad shoes. Round his neck is a chain or collar of plain square links, with pendant shield. Over the left forearm is strung a tabor, which he is beating with his right hand; the sleeve is turned up to the elbow; he is blowing a pipe which he holds and fingers with his left hand. The tabor and pipe was the necessary accompaniment of rustic dances.

* Read at Beverley, February 14, 1894.