It seems that the term was used loosely to refer to any musician, especially
one low on the social scale.
So it is now sometimes impossible to know which
instruments
the fidler played. |
1662 fidler definition:
“ like as a Fidler, that can play tunes on musical Instruments, but is no Musician, to compose and set tunes…”
‘Playes written by the thrice noble, illustrious and excellent princess, the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle’ |
1664 fidler definition:
“Musick is not onely an Art, but one of the Liberall Arts practised by Princes
themselves, and made
instrumentall
to the Glory of God; yet what Trade is there
more despicable in the World both in Name
and Nature, than a Common Fidler;
though he may draw as good a sound out of an Instrument,
and have as much Art
in Playing and Composing as any Gentleman, yet if he get his Living by it,
and makes it his Trade, he is still but a Fidler”
‘The original and growth of printing collected out of history, and the records of this kingdome : wherein is also demonstrated, that printing appertaineth to the prerogative royal, and is a flower of the crown of England’ by Richard Atkyns.. |
1762 fidler definition:
“…he is treated like a fidler, whose music, though liked, is not much praised, because he lives by it;
while a gentleman performer, though the most wretched scraper alive, throws the audience into raptures.
The fidler indeed may in such a case console himself by thinking, that while the other goes off with
all the praise, he runs away with all the money…”
‘The citizen of the world: or letters from a Chinese philosopher, residing in London, to his friends in the east.’ by Goldsmith, Oliver |
1816 “nothing is so amusing as a drunken fiddler, the whole of the Musicians
coming under this title whatever instrument they may play.”
1816 Musicians engaged to play for balls:
“are treated worse than . . . servants, and never, or seldom
spoken to, but...
generally addressing them, and speaking of them,
by the names of fiddlers..."
Companion to the Ballroom' (1816) by Thomas Wilson pages 215-16 |
1530 John Palsgrave's dictionary
written in English with French translations of useful phrases. p.549 |
1589 “one H. Parkes, a musician accompanying a group of morris dancers, is referred to as `the fiddler '
by the Vice of the dancers.”
Canterbury Cathedral Library, JQ 1589 recounted by Peter Clark in ‘The English alehouse' (1979), 129-30. |
1603 “..least you should conceive, that the devils had no musicke in hell, especially that they would goe
a maying without theyr musicke, note the Fidler comes in with his Taber, & Pipe, and a whole Morice after him..”
‘A declaration of egregious popish impostures to with-draw the harts of her Majesties subjects from their allegeance, and from the truth
of Christian religion professed in England, under the pretence of casting out devils. Practised by Edmunds, alias Weston a Jesuit,
and divers Romish priestes his wicked associates. Where-unto are annexed the copies of the confessions, and examinations of the parties
themselves, which were pretended to be possessed, and dispossessed, taken upon oath before her Majesties commissioners, for causes
ecclesiasticall.’ by Harsnett, Samuel |
|
1605 a fidler could play any instrument:
“Now as they were in the middest of their dinner, in came the Fidler, and began to strike up his Violl”
'A treatise of specters or straunge sights, visions and apparitions appearing sensibly unto men Wherein is delivered, the nature of spirites,
angels, and divels: their power and properties: as also of witches, sorcerers, enchanters, and such like. With a table of the contents
of the several chapters annexed in the end of the booke. Newly done out of French into English..Of the Opinions and Arguments
of the Saduces, and Epicures: by which they would prove, that the Angels and Divels do not appeare unto men' by Loyer, Pierre le |
1613 John Ayly, an alehouse-keeper in Essex, was presented in the archdeacon's court
"for suffering of a fiddler to play with taber and pipe in his house upon
the 9 of May, being the sabbath day, in time of divine service".
J A Sharpe in `Crime and delinquency in an Essex parish 1600-1640,'in Crime in England 1550-1800, (1977)
|
1625
“the rurall fidler to joyne his Pans pipe, or Oaten reede, with the Quire of the Muses”
‘Englands jubilee, or Irelands joyes Io-pæan, for King Charles his welcome With the blessings of Great-Britaine, her dangers, deliverances,
dignities from God, and duties to God, pressed and expressed. More particularly, Irelands triumphals, with the congratulations of the English
plantations, for the preservation of their mother England, solemnized by publike sermons. In which 1. The mirrour of Gods free grace,
2. The mappe of our ingratitude, 3. The meanes and motives to blesse God for his blessings. 4. The platforme of holy praises are doctrinally
explained, and usefully applyed, to this secure and licentious age.’ by Stephen Jerome, domesticke chaplaine to the Right Honourable Earle of Corke; Dublin |
1636 ‘A divine tragedie lately acted' recounts that:
“Also at Battersey neer London, the last year a notable example of God's judgement
befell a fidler, the youth of the town of both sexes, being assembled solemnly to set up
a garland upon their May-pole, and having got a tabor and pipe for the purpose,
he
with
the pipe in his mouth, fell down dead and never spake word" .
'A Divine Tragedie lately acted, or a Collection of sundry memorable examples of God's Judgements upon Sabbath Breakers,
and other like Libertines in their unlawful Sports, happening within the realme of England, in the compass only of two yeares
last past, since the Booke (of Sports) was published, worthy to be knowne and considered of all men, especially
such who
are guilty of the sinne, or archpatrons thereof.' ‘A divine tragedie lately acted' is a morality tale designed to demonstrate
the wages of sin
and the range of God's punishment for transgressors.
Example 45 (1641edn, p 20)
Henry Burton
(1578 – 1648)
Rector of St. Matthew's Church, Friday Street, London,
was a famous Puritan in his time.
|
1649 story:
“the Dutchie of Brunswick was exceedingly pestered with Rats. There happened to com to Town a Roguie Fidler,
who undertook presently to quit the Place of all the Vermin, upon condition to receiv such a summ of monie for his pains.
The Burgers agreed. The Fidler betook him to his Pipe, at the sound whereof the Rats came all forth, and followed
the fellow quite through the Town to the River Weser, where they were all drown'd.”
‘Gregorii posthuma, or, Certain learned tracts written by John Gregorie. Together with a short account of the author's life and elegies
on his much-lamented death’ |
1731 play:
Nood: “You, Fidler! can you play the Black Joak?
Dood: Take care what you say, he's no Fidler, he's a Master of Music”.
‘The generous Free-mason: or, the constant lady. With the humours of Squire Noodle, and his man Doodle. A tragi-comi-farcical
ballad opera. In three acts. With the musick prefix'd to each song.’ By the author of The lover's opera |
1731 “Richard Pointer . I am a Musician, or a Fidler, or what you please to call me.”
Proceedings of the Old Bailey, 8th December t17311208-37 |
1765 letter:
“It was a complaint made, some years ago, that our Operas were disgraced with the lowest insipidity of composition
and sing-song, and that there was nothing to be admired but the mere tricks of the performers—this must always be
the case in a nation where a fiddler is more estimated than a composer; but now the times are so far altered, that
neither the fidler nor the music are attended to at all—if the eye is pleased, the ear and understanding are supposed
to be gratified…”
‘Village memoirs: in a series of letters between a clergyman and his family in the country, and his son in town’ by Cradock, Joseph |
1795 story
‘The Bear and other Beasts.’
“…The fidler, or rather the performer on the pipe and tabor, was considered as a fit subject for his
Majesty's navy,
and consequently sent to a regulating captain, who forwarded him and his vile instrument of noise on board….”
‘Sporting Magazine of Monthly Calendar Of the Transactions of the Turf the Chase, and every other Diversion interesting
to the Man of Leisure,
Enterprize and Spirit.’ |
1799 poem
“…‘Twas twelve and seven dances past
Scarce had the tired fidlers ceased to play…
...
He rush'd, and caught me roughly by the sleeve,
Cursing the pipe and tabor, and the fiddle,…”
‘The Margate new guide; or Memoirs of five families out of six;
Who in Town discontent with a good Situation, Make Margate
the Place of their Summer Migration.WITH NOTES, AND
OCCASIONAL ANECDOTES.’1799
by Sharpe, Richard Scrafton. |
| |
| ffidler: |
 Records of Early English Drama - Volumes 11-15 - Page 10 1986 |
|
1721 George Hogrel , of St. Anns Westminster , was indicted for feloniously stealing a silver Salt, value 10 s. 8 d. …
The Prosecutor depos'd, that the prisoner (being a Fidler) was sent for, to play at his House, at which time he took
an opportunity to convey away the Salt.
Old Bailey Proceedings: Accounts of Criminal Trials LL ref: t17211206-21 |
1722 "…Reeves in his defence said, that Grove was a scandalous Fidler, and a fellow of no Credit;…"
Old Bailey Proceedings: Accounts of Criminal Trials
LL ref: t17220404-20 |
1722 fidler who was executed:
“…the Thoughts of Musick and Dancing appear'd so very delightful to him, that in the Country, he always
thought himself in some other happier World, when he and several young Men and Maids got together in a
Barn, with a Fidler, to dance and be merry…”
Ordinary of Newgate Prison: Ordinary's Accounts: Biographies of Executed Convicts LL ref: OA172212312212310004 |
1755 “…The Fidler Play'd two Tunes & the Women Danced & after that the Deeval Gave the Fidler his half penny …”
Middlesex Sessions: Sessions Papers - Justices' Working Documents SM | PS LL ref: LMSMPS504460005 |