Viol Music in French Tablature - Sources

Indexing viol music in tablature is fraught with difficulties. Published sources may be assigned to a specific composer, but manuscript sources generally contain pieces by multiple authors, some identifiable and many anonymous. A specific piece might be credited to several different composers in different sources, appear in more than one tuning, or exist in variant readings. Still other pieces may appear under the same title (such as the eight anonymous sets of variations titled Jemmye) but are not always the same music. These things hinder the creation of a simple catalogue. Finding works in the Thematic listings of the society's Index of Manuscripts however CAN be done, but may require or benefit from some cross-referencing.

In recent years, many of the tablature sources (both printed and manuscript) have been carefully inventoried with a full detailing of their contents. The inventories offer formal page/folio numbers, clarification of the specific tuning for each piece, provisional titles and/or names of composers if necessary, and the assignation of a formal VdGS number. That VdGS number is what enables cross-referencing within the Thematic Index (with its thumbnail musical incipits) since each individual number may be found under a specific composer's name, or within one of the four 'Anon (tablature)' pages. The numbers for anonymous pieces have been carefully assigned, first grouped according to their tuning, and then based on the specific source in which the piece appears. Numbers at the end of each tuning group remain vacant/unused, enabling works that may come to light in the future to be inserted in the appropriate place. Further info about the cataloguing method may be found at the very front of the 04 Anon (Tablature-D) page.

Valuable work on the tablature music in the Thematic Index has been done (and continues to be done) by numerous contributors. Frank Traficante’s initial lists of tablature sources in the 1960s and 70s prompted examination of then-known sources and the creation of thematic entries by Gordon Dodd and Andrew Ashbee. These have since been greatly augmented through the painstaking efforts of Peter Holman, Jo. Wainwright, Robert Thompson, François-Pierre Goy, John Cunningham, Richard Carter and John Robinson who have compiled more presentable inventories for the large prints and manuscripts. Corrections and concordances have been communicated by many players and scholars, over several decades. In 2024, Joëlle Morton created an updated list of the 142 known sources of music in French tablature (or their companion materials). The list appears below, electronically linking to inventories, and any available copies online. Here, the term 'facsimile' references a photographic reproduction of the original document, whether print or manuscript. This webpage and the list of sources is amended as necessary. Please get in touch if you know of something that should be added or refreshed!

Further details about each item in this list have been compiled by Morton and uploaded by Bettina Hoffmann to the European Violadagamba Network website. There, an overview tallies the number of tablature pieces in each document, itemizing the specific tunings employed in each one, the names of known composers from within, and jpg files of representative examples of any ornaments and symbols. A summary pdf provides breakdown of the sources ordered by their provisional dates, provenance, tunings, scorings and terminology. For those researching the lyra viol, a full bibliography of materials that have been written (dissertations, theses, book chapters, articles) may be found here, p187-194.

Joëlle Morton
January 2026

Source List

The sources below are organized according to type: first the printed volumes (26 of them), then manuscripts with tablature (103), and lastly any companion materials (13) that are partbooks for ensemble music, 19th century copies of earlier tablatures, staff notation transcriptions, or handwritten notes about the documents. Scroll down to find each source individually listed, itemized by its bibiographic siglum.

DOWNLOAD the Viol Music in French Tablature Sources in a printable pdf format

(a) PRINTED SOURCES

(in chronological order):

Jones, Robert

The Second Book of Songs and Ayres, London 1601

Robinson, Thomas

The School of Musicke, London 1603

  • Facsimile online
  • Facsimile edition: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, 1973
  • no inventory and not listed in the Thematic Index
Hume, Tobias

The First Part of Ayres, London 1605

Hume, Tobias

Captaine Hume's Poeticall Musicke, London 1607

Ford, Thomas

Musicke of Sundrie Kindes, London 1607

Ferrabosco, Alfonso [II]

Lessons for 1, 2, and 3 viols, London 1609

Corkine, William

Ayres to Sing and Play to the Lute and Basse Violl, London 1610

Maynard, John

The Twelve Wonders of the World, London 1611

Corkine, William

The Second Booke of Ayres, London 1612

Tailour, Robert

Sacred Hymns, London 1615

Neumark, Georg

Der Hochbetrübt verliebte Hürte Myrtillus, Königsberg [1649]

Neumark, Georg

Unverhofft hochgewünschte Liebes Geschicht, Königsberg, 1650

Neumark, Georg

Georg Neumarks Poetisch Verhochteutschte Geschichte, Danzig, 1651

Playford, John

A Musicall Banquet, London 1651

Playford, John

Musicks Recreation on the Lyra Viol, London 165[?]

** A date for this publication is uncertain because no copies have the final number. It is often cited as 1652, but is possibly later, c1655

Neumark, Georg

Poetisch Lobthonende Ehrenseule, Mühlhausen, 1652

Neumark, Georg

Fortgepflanzter musikalisch poetischer Lustwald, Jena, 1657

Playford, John

Musicks Recreation on the Viol, Lyra-way, London 1661

Simpson, Christopher

The Principles of Practical Musick, London 1665, and reprinted as

A Compendium of Practical Musick in Five Parts, London 1678

Playford, John

Musicks Recreation on the Viol, Lyra-way, London 1669

Moss, John

Lessons for the Bass-Viol, London 1671

Mace, Thomas

Musick's Monument, London 1676

Ziegler, Johann Christoff

Intavolatura zur Viola di Gamba [Wittenberg? c1680]

Playford, John

Musicks Recreation on the Viol, Lyra-way, London 1682

DeMachy, Le Sieur

Pièces de Violle, Paris 1685

Kremberg, Jacob

Musicalische Gemüths Ergötzung, Dresden 1689


(b) MANUSCRIPT SOURCES
(in alphabetical order by country and then according to the institution that holds it):


AUSTRIA

Schloss Ebanthal, Carinthia

A-ET, Goëss MS 'A', Utrecht 1664

  • Facsimile online go to Goëss A_1
  • Facsimile edition: Tree Edition, 2008
  • Tree Edition with facsimile online has most up-to-date inventory
  • VdGS inventory

A-ET, Goëss MS 'B', Utrecht 1668

  • Facsimile online go to Goëss B
  • Facsimile edition: Tree Edition, 2008
  • Tree Edition with facsimile online has most up-to-date inventory
  • VdGS inventory

A-ET, Goëss MS 'II', 1660-70

  • Facsimile online go to Goëss 2
  • Facsimile edition: Tree Edition, 2014
  • Tree Edition with facsimile online has most up-to-date inventory
  • VdGS inventory

BELGIUM

Brussels, Conservatoire Royale de Musique

B-Bc MS Litt XY 24910, George Loosemore lyra consorts, 1670s

**This shouldn't be mistaken for a second manuscript in the same library, that is a 19th century copy


GERMANY

Berlin, Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz

D-B Mus ms. autogr. Hove 1, Hove lute book 1615

  • facsimile is not online
  • Facsimile editions: Glinde: Jarchow Verlag, 2006
  • inventory

D-B Mus. ms. autogr. theor. Tappert, W. 3,1, lyra song "Höchlich werde gezwungen" mid 17thC


Kassel, Murhard'sche Bibliothek

D-Kl 2º Ms. Mus. 61[1, music for baryton, 1653, 1669, 1670

D-Kl 2º Ms. Mus. 61[2, Hacquart, A[ugust] K[uhnel], G. Thielke, late 17th century

D-Kl, Ms. 4º Mus. 108.2; continental, many psalm tunes, 1681 or later

D-Kl, Ms. 4º Mus. 108.3; continental, late 17th century

D-Kl, Ms. 4º Mus. 108.4; continental, companion volume to 4o Mus. 108.3

D-Kl, Ms. 4º Mus. 108.5; Willem Deutekom and Gottfried Tielke autograph, early 1700s

D-Kl, Ms. 4º Mus. 108.6; continental, Kühnel, etc, later 17th century

D-Kl, Ms. 4º Mus. 108.7; continental, late 17th century

D-Kl, Ms. 4º Mus. 185; continental, 23 pieces in tab, late 17th century

D-Kl, Ms. 4º Mus. 289; single piece, late 17th century

D-Kl, Israël Anhang 8; 20 pages of tablature basses (for airs, not included), late 17th century

D-Kl, Israël Anhang 28; 15 pieces by Kühnel, c1700

D-Kl, Israël Anhang 30; 6 French pieces (3 are settings of Lully), late 17th century


Lübeck, Bibliothek der Hansestadt

D-Lüh Ms. hist. 8° 24; Stammbuch Davids von Mandelsloh, single piece by Walter Rowe, 1614


Weimar, Klassik Stiftung Weimar, Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek

D-WRz Mus. VIII: 12; 100 as yet unattributed pieces, c1650 or later


Wolfenbüttel, Herzog August Bibliothek

D-W Cod.Guelf. 34.7 Aug 2°; Partiturbuch Ludwig, 3 pieces for violin and lv, 1662


EIRE / IRELAND

Dublin, Archbishop Marsh's Library

IRL-DM Z3.4.13; solo lv and lyra consort parts, some dating prior to c1625

  • facsimile is not online
  • inventory in JVdGS vol 3, 2009, p7-13

IRL-DM Z3.5.13; Narcissus Marsh, English music, 1666


Dublin, Trinity College Library

IRL-Dtc 408/1; William Ballet his book, early 1600s

Formerly Dtc D.1.21 (I and II)


FRANCE

Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale

F-Pn, Rés 1111; continental, 273 pieces, many psalm settings, 1674


GREAT BRITAIN

Cambridge University Library

GB-Cu MS Dd.5.20; bass book from broken consort set, with 24 pieces in tablature, copied Mathew Holmes, c1588-1597

GB-Cu MS Dd.5.78.3; 2nd lute book by Mathew Holmes, c1595-1600

GB-Cu MS Dd.6.48; 65 English pieces, June 19, 1671

GB-Cu MS Dd.9.33; 3rd lute book by Mathew Holmes Feb 28, 1600

GB-Cu MS Nn.6.36; 4th lute book by Mathew Holmes Lute Book, c1615

GB-Cu Hengrave Hall Deposit 77 (1); Jenkins, Withy, Clarke, Simpson, Drew, Young

GB-Cu Hengrave Hall Deposit 77 (2); 2 pages only, Jenkins

GB-Cu MS Add.10356; 'Dolmetsch manuscript,' lyra trios, 1640s

The Jeanne-Marie Dolmetsch Collection, of which this is a part, was formerly at Haslemere, Dolmetsch Library (HAd) catalogued as MS II B 3

GB-Cu MS Add.9283; 5 pieces, Germanic mid-17th century

  • facsimile is not online
  • no inventory and not listed in the Thematic Index

GB-Cu MS Add.9284; Adamus Wolray, 2nd lyra part to 10 pieces, mid 17th century


Cheshire Record Office

GB-CHEr DLT/B31; Sir Peter Leycester's Book of Music, 1670

Dundee, Public Libraries

GB-DU Mus 10445; Andrew Bla[i]kie, 1692

The original Blaikie ms (dated 1683) is no longer extant. This version made by Andrew John Wighton, c1866 or earlier, is the earliest of several surviving copies

Durham, Cathedral Library

GB-DRc Bamburgh Mus 179-180; GB- DRc Bamburgh Mus 179-180 treble and lyra parts to lyra consorts, c1700

Edinburgh, National Library of Scotland

GB-En Dep. 314/24; Sutherland House manuscript, c1660-70

Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh

GB-Eu Mus.m.1; Magdalen Cockburn John music booke, c1660-80

Formerly catalogued as P637 R787.1

*Note that the VdGS inventory has reversed these call numbers

London, British Library

GB-Lbl Add. 15117, Hugh Floyd, c1614-16

GB-Lbl Add. 15118, Richard Shinton, 1633

GB-Lbl Add. 17795, lyra duos and trios, c.1625-1635

GB-Lbl Add. 29481, Adrian Batten, c1630, no pieces, just list of tunings

  • facsimile is not online
  • Facsimile: Garland, vol1
  • no inventory and not listed in the Thematic Index

GB-Lbl Add. 31431 (i and ii), Sir Gabriel Roberts, 1680

GB-Lbl Add. 31432, Richard Gibbon manuscript, William Lawes autograph, prior to 1645

GB-Lbl Add. 36993, mid-17th English, bass partbook in tablature

GB-Lbl Add. 56279, Silvanus Stirrop, prior to 1629

GB-Lbl Add. 59869, Cartwright manuscript, written at the back of Simpson's Division Viol, 1659 or later

GB-Lbl Add. 63852. Sir Griffith Boynton, late 17th century

GB-Lbl Egerton 2971, Rob[ert]us Downes, 1622 or earlier

GB-Lbl Harley 7578, prior to 1655

GB-Lbl MS Mus. 249, Low countries, c1670s

London, Royal Academy of Music

GB-Lam MS 600: Braye/Browne manuscript, c1625-1630

Formerly called the Spencer 'John Browne' manuscript

Manchester, Central Public Library

GB-Mp BRm/832 Vu51: Manchester gamba book, mid-1660s

  • Facsimile Online
  • Facsimile edition: Peacock Press - note that this publication contains countless unacknowledged modifications - full details here, p169-191
  • inventory
Newcastle upon Tyne, University

GB-NTu Bell-White 46: Leyden Viol manuscript, after 1688

Formerly catalogued as White ms.42

Oxford, Bodleian Library

GB-Ob MS Mus Sch b.15: Mark Coleman, mid-17th century

  • facsimile is not online
  • no inventory and not listed in the Thematic Index

GB-Ob MS Don. C.57: Colonel Probert's manuscript, c.1625-50

  • Facsimile online
  • Facsimile edition: Garland vol 6
  • no inventory and not listed in the Thematic Index

GB-Ob MS Mus Sch C.61: Francis Withy scorebook, c1688-1700

  • facsimile is not online
  • Facsimile edition: Harvester R2
  • inventory, p138-143

GB-Ob MS Mus Sch C.84: Jenkins lyra consorts, 1660s

GB-Ob MS Mus Sch C.85: Jenkins lyra consorts, 1660s

GB-Ob MS Mus Sch C.88: Jenkins lyra consorts, 1660s

GB-Ob MS Mus Sch D.217: F[francis] W[ithy] manuscript, 1681-1703

  • facsimile not online
  • no inventory and not listed in the Thematic Index
  • More info: Chelys, Vol. 20, 1991 p3-27

GB-Ob MS Mus Sch D.221: Lyra duos, Robert Langley, c1650-1675

GB-Ob MS Mus Sch D.233, 236: Lyra duos by William Young, 1636, 1641

The companion 'thorough base' parts are in Ob MS Mus Sch E.451

GB-Ob MS Mus Sch D.245-247: Merro partbooks, Mr William Iles, 1673

GB-Ob MS Mus Sch E.410-414: Lyra consorts by John Birchensha, Sept 7, 1660

GB-Ob MS Mus Sch E.430: Little Consorts by Christopher Simpson, Jan 11, 1672/3

GB-Ob MS Mus Sch F.572: English, second half 17th century

GB-Ob MS Mus Sch F.573: Transcriptions of lv music for violin, c1690

GB-Ob MS Mus Sch F.575: Mr William Iles, c1630

  • facsimile is not online
  • Facsimile: Garland vol 6
  • inventory

GB-Ob MS Mus Sch F.578: 18 short pieces, mid 17th century

  • facsimile is not online
  • no inventory and not listed in the Thematic Index
Oxford, Christ Church Library

GB-Och Mus.87; 3 lyra songs, Elizabeth Davenant, 1624

GB-Och Mus.439; lyra songs and solo lv, Robert Taylor autograph, 1634

GB-Och Mus.531-532; lyra trios (lacking one part), c1610-25

GB-Och Mus.725-727; lyra trios, prior to 1635

GB-Och Mus.1006-1009; partbooks for Jenkins lyra consort (lv part is lacking), before 1664

GB-Och Mus.1014; Mr Rogier, 'Onse Vader in Hemelrijck', Dutch, early-mid 17th century

  • facsimile is not online
  • Facsimile Edition: Harvester R36
  • inventory
Ratby, Leicestershire Record Office

GB-Leicestershire Record Office DE3502; fragment from Church Farm, mid-late 17th century

St Andrews, University Library

GB-SA MS 38470/2; "TB", English 1660-70s

*Note that the VdGS inventory has the wrong shelf number in its title

[Tunbridge Wells, Richard McNutt private collection]
GB-TWm. Prissylla Herbert, 1655

*NOTE: The current location of this virginal ms is unknown, but its two short lv pieces were copied and shared by Frank Traficante

Woking, Surrey History Centre

GB-WOhc MS LM/1083/91/35; Loseley manuscript, English 1687-1688

Formerly in Guildford, catalogued as BG-Gum

  • facsimile is not online
  • inventory by Cunningham & Wolley in RMARC, 2010, #43

NORWAY

Oslo, Universitetsbibliotak, Norsk Musikksamling

N-Ou MS 294 a/b; Peter Bang notebook, 1679

Trondheim, Universitetsbiblioteket i Trondheim

N-Tu XA HA; Mus. 1:1; Nodebog til Viola da Gamba, single partbook with music by Kühnel and Schenck

N-Tu XA HA; Mus. 1:2; set of 2 partbooks music by Schenck, 1716

RUSSIA

St Petersburg Academy of Sciences

R-Span O No 124; Swan Lute manuscript, c1630-1655

  • facsimile is not online
  • Facsimile edition: Editions Orphée, 1994
  • inventory
SWEDEN

Kalmar, Kalmarlaäns Museum

S-Kl MS 21.068; Otto Fredrik Stälhammer manuscript, 1697 or later

Lund, Universitetsbiblioteket

S-L MS Wenster G. 28; Christian Wenster Sr, 1704

S-L MS Wenster G. 35; Christian Wenster Sr, early 18th century

Norrköpings, State Library

S-N Finspång 9096.3; Finspång Castle, English lv music, 1638

Stockholm, Musik och teaterbiblioteket

S-Skma MS Tabulatur_3; Continental, late 17th century
Formerly held at Kungliga Musikaliska akademiens biblioteket

Uppsala, Universitetsbiblioteket

S-Uu Inst. Mus. hs 4:3; George Hudson, lyra consorts, c1640

S-Uu Inst. mus.hs 4:3a, 1-2; c1660-1670, vln + lv

USA

Cambridge, Harvard University Music Library

US-CA MS Mus. 70; William Lawes autograph, lyra trios (lacking 2 parts), 1630s

Los Angeles, University of California

US-LAuc MS M286 M4L992; Mansell manuscript, c1635

New Haven, Yale University, School of Music

US-NH Misc. 170 Filmer Ms. 3; 4 pieces for lv solo and lv +bc, 1639

New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library

US-NHb Osborn Music MS 515; Jenkins lyra consorts, c1680

New York, Public Library

US-NYpl Drexel 4175; lyra songs, Ann Twice her booke, 1620s

  • Fascimile online
  • Facsimile Edition: Garland vol 11
  • no inventory and not listed in the Thematic Index
San Marino, Huntingdon Library

US-SM Ellesemere EL 25/A/46-51; 7 lv pieces in cantus partbook, mid-17th century

Washington, Library of Congress

US-Wc M2.1.T2 (17C) Case; 3 pieces, Dubuisson, 1666

COMPANION MATERIALS
(c) Companion partbooks:

Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Museum

GB-Cf Ms 645; bass parts to Jenkins and Simpson lyra consorts in Ob C.88

  • facsimile is not online
  • no inventory and not listed in the Thematic Index
Oxford, Bodleian Library

GB-Ob MS Mus Sch E.451; Bc parts to Ob MS Mus Sch D.233, 236

Oxford, Christ Church Library

GB-Och Mus. 1005; Jenkins autograph, staff notation score for lyra consorts

Companion volume to US-Cn Case MS-VM 1.A18 J52c

GB-Och Mus. 1021; bass parts for Simpson little consorts in Ob E.430

  • facsimile is not online
  • Facsimile: Harvester, R36
  • inventory
Chicago, Newberry Library

US-Cn Case MS-VM 1.A18 J52c; treble and bass parts (no lv) to Jenkins lyra consorts, 1644-5

Companion volume, staff notation score is located Och Mus. 1005

  • facsimile is not online
  • inventory, p210-226

(d) Later Copies of tablature manuscripts or prints:

Edinburgh, National Library of Scotland

GB-En Advicates Ms 5.2.19; copy of Ntu Bell-White 46, made by George Farquhar Graham, 1843-44

London, British Library

GB-Lbl Add. 39555; Florence G. Attenborough ("Chrystabel") 20thc transcription of Hengrave Hall 77(1)

  • facsimile is not online
  • no inventory and not listed in the Thematic Index

GB-Lbl Add. 39556; Miss Ethel C. M. Higgins, 1912 tracing of Mp BRm/832 Vu51

  • facsimile is not online
  • no inventory and not listed in the Thematic Index
Washington, Library of Congress

US-Wc M140.F675 (Case); copy of Blaikie/Wighton ms, made by Alfred Moffat (1863-1950)

  • facsimile is not online
  • no inventory and not listed in the Thematic Index

(e) Staff Transcriptions of earlier manuscripts or prints:

Durham, Cathedral Library

GB-DRc Ms Mus A 27; Philip Falle, c1722-39

London, British Library

GB-Lbl Add. 38783; Sir Edward Ernest Cooper, 1913 staff transcriptions of Mp BRm/832 Vu51

  • facsimile is not online
  • no inventory and not listed in the Thematic Index
London, Royal College of Music

GB-Lcm C41; Moss transcriptions and Rules for Gracing, after 1671

Formerly catalogued as II.F.10

(f) Other:

London, British Library

GB-Lbl Add. 50781; Thomas Lea Southgate, 1914 notes referring to Add. 38783

  • facsimile is not online
  • no inventory and not listed in the Thematic Index
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