Lancashire bagpipe facts for kids
The Lancashire bagpipe (sometimes called the Lancashire greatpipe) was a type of bagpipe once played in the Lancashire area of England. People have written about this instrument in old books and plays. Some even believed the sound of the Lancashire bagpipe could protect against bad magic or witchcraft!
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What is the Lancashire Bagpipe?
The Lancashire bagpipe was a musical instrument, much like other bagpipes you might know. It was important in the culture and music of Lancashire, a county in northwest England. While we don't see them often today, they were quite popular a long time ago.
A Look Back in Time: Old Mentions
We know about the Lancashire bagpipe because it was mentioned in many historical writings. These mentions help us understand how important this instrument was in the past.
James Shirley's Play (1634)
In 1634, a writer named James Shirley created a special performance called The Triumph of Peace. During a big parade to Whitehall Palace in London, a musician named Thomas Basset rode on a horse. He was playing the Lancashire bagpipe, leading the whole procession! This shows the instrument was used in important public events.
Aphra Behn's Play (1678)
Another famous writer, Aphra Behn, wrote a play called Sir Patient Fancy in 1678. In the play, a character says they feel "as Melancholy as the Drone of a Lancashire Bagpipe." This line tells us that the deep, continuous sound (called a "drone") of the bagpipe could sometimes sound sad or serious to people.
Ralph Thoresby's Writings (1702)
Ralph Thoresby was a writer who described places and their history. In 1702, he wrote about a time when he "got little rest" because "the music and Lancashire bagpipes having continued the whole night." This suggests that the Lancashire bagpipe was often played loudly and for long periods, perhaps at parties or celebrations!
Don Quixote's Connection (1712)
Even the famous Spanish book Don Quixote, written by Cervantes and translated into English in 1712, mentions the Lancashire bagpipe. The book explains that a city in Spain called Zamora is famous for its music, just like Lancashire is famous for its bagpipes in England. This shows that the Lancashire bagpipe was well-known, even internationally!
See Also
- List of bagpipes
- List of bagpipers
- List of pipe makers
- Glossary of bagpipe terms
