June 26, 2017 Here we see the man playing the hurdy-gurdy. He’s rotating the wheel with his right hand while pressing the keys with his left hand’s fingers. I just can’t figure out why this instrument is so rarely seen or heard today. Notice the key harp lying on the ground. Here we get another view of the instrument and the keys along its side. Enjoy! Imagine these 3 men playing their instruments and singing during dinner (roast boar included, mead or beer, etc.), the music echoing between stone walls, muted conversation from time to time. The song could be a chanson de jeste (heroic poetry) about King Arthur or Sir Tristan or other hero. These could run on in several hundred verses with varied melody as required by the text. And take a long time to sing through. But people had the time back then. Or, short love songs. Or songs praising the lord of the manor / castle. There's LOTS from the middle ages. A pity we seldom hear these works!