induced by the wordHistrionia, which in Middle Latinity only signifies the minstrel
art.
However, it should seem that both mimical gesticulation and a kind of rude
exhibition of characters were sometimes attempted by the old minstrels: but
(4) As musical performance was the leading idea, so
Lliothian,Cantus musicos edere; and
Lligbeam, glithbeam [Llig- or Glee-beam].Tympanum: aTimbrelorTaber. (So
Somn.) Hence
Llythian.Tympanum pulsare; and
Llith-meden, Llythiende-maden [Glee-maiden]. Tympanistria: which Somnor renders
aShe-Minstrel; for it should seem that they had females of this profession: one name
for which was also Llythbydenestra.
(5) Of congenial derivation to the foregoing, is
Llythc [Glywc].Tibia, a Pipe or Flute.
Both this and the common radix, Lligg, are with great appearance of truth derived by
Junius from the IcelandicGliggur, Flatus: as supposing the first attempts at music
among our Gothic ancestors, were from wind-instruments.-- Vide Jun.Etym. Ang. V.
Glee.
II
But the Minstrels, as is hinted above, did not confine themselves to the mere
exercise of their primary arts of music and song, but occasionally used many other
modes of diverting. Hence, from the above root was derived, in a secondary sense,
(1) Lleo, and thinsum glith.Facetiæ.
Lleothian,jocari; tojest, orbe merry: (Somn.) and
Lleothiend,jocans;jesting, speaking merrily: (Somn.)
Lligman also signifiedJocista, a Jester.
Llig-gamen [Glee-games], joci. Which Somner rendersMerriments, orMerry Jests,
orTricks, orSports;Gamboles.
(2) Hence, again, by a common metonymy of the cause for the effect,
Llie,gaudium, alacritas, lætitia, facetiæ;Joy, Mirth, Gladness, Cheerfulness, Glee
[Somner]. Which last application of the word still continues, though rather in a low
debasing sense.
III.
But however agreeable and delightful the various arts of the Minstrels might
be to the Anglo-Saxon laity, there is reason to believe that, before the Norman
Conquest at least, they were not much favoured by the clergy, particularly by those of
monastic profession. For, not to mention that the sportive talents of these men would
be considered by those austere ecclesiastics as tending to levity and licentiousness, the
Pagan origin of their art would excite in the monks an insuperable prejudice against it.
The Anglo-Saxon Harpers and Gleemen were the immediate successors and imitators
of the Scandinavian Scalds, who were the great promoters of Pagan superstition, and
fomented that spirit of cruelty and outrage in their countrymen, the Danes, which fell
with such peculiar severity on the religious and their convents. Hence arose a third
application of words derived from Llig, Minstrelsy, in a very unfavourable sense, and
this chiefly prevails in books of religion and ecclesiastic discipline. Thus: