(A) The Husbandman Song', a song sung by
wandering minstrels (c. 1380)
To find money for the king
I sold my seed corn.
Wherefore my land lies fallow and learns to sleep...
People are in such a plight that they can give no more.
I suspect that if they had a leader, they would revolt.
(B)
Geoffrey
Luttrell Psalter (1325)
(C)
Thomas de Cabham, Bishop of Salisbury (c. 1390)
There are actors who have
musical instruments for men's delight... They haunt public drinking
houses and other assemblies, where they sing many songs to move men
to mischievous behaviour.
(D)
In 1598 Paul Hentzner saw a blinded bear being baited by dogs at a
fair.
The bear cannot escape
from the men because of a chain. He defends himself with all his force
and skill, throwing down all (the dogs) who come within his reach.
(E)
Medieval musicians, Geoffrey Luttrell Psalter
(1325)
1. Study source E.
One of the men is playing a hurdy-gurdy. This
instrument was played by turning a handle which sounded all the strings
at once. The fingers of the other hand was used to produce the required
notes. Describe the man playing the hurdy-gurdy.
2. Explain the meaning
of the first two lines of The Husbandman Song'.
3. Read source C. Why was
Thomas de Cabham opposed to musicians visiting village fairs? Use
a quotation from The Husbandman Song' to support your answer.
4. Read source D. Now describe
what is taking place in source B.
5. Here is the start of
a dialogue between Hugh de Audley and Gilbert Hughes. Copy it into
your books. Now complete the dialogue. In your dialogue you must use
all the red words below.
Hugh de Audley: A large
number of people will visit Yalding during the fair. Villagers
will be able to sell food to these visitors.
Gilbert Hughes: Some of
these visitors might bring dangerous ideas with them.
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rich
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pagans
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drunk
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bear-baiting
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infectious
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tolls
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work
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bread
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revolt
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entertainers
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jobs
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dancing
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crime
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minstrels
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ale
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money
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Tonbridge
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smallpox
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manure
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serfs
|
stalls
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