Another reason that Bill the bastard almost certainly retained musicians is because many of his predecessors and contemporaries did. Early English and Anglo-Nordic verse such as Deor and Beowulf have numerous references to the role of music both as a noble diversion and as a 'court' or household entertainment. The images in such verses give a context for the discovery of lyres in 8th century royal/noble burials such as Sutton Hoo and Prittlewell. The 10th century Laws of Hywell Dda (of South Wales) make similar references to household and other bards. In my (Cornish) neck of the woods the earliest mention of musicians are various 'harpurs' 'tabourers' and 'piperes' who are mentioned in assize rolls and account books from 1201. The tablature of the Welsh harp music known as Cerdd Dant probably evolved in the 14th century, but we only have 16th century examples remaining. Oll an gwella Crowdercref
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