| Marginalia of a bunny playing the trumpet Petrus Comestor, Historia scholastica England c. 1283-1300 |
" 'To let my pagans know this [the arrival of Charlemagne], sound your trumpets.'
Throughout the host they beat upon the drums
and sound those horns and brilliant clarions."
-Song of Roland (155-54)
-Song of Roland (155-54)
The first trumpets were made of horn, animal skin, or wood, and resembled nothing of the modern trumpet used today. Used by the Roman Empire as a signaling device during war, this practice for the most part was not present in the Medieval Ages. It was not until the crusades until trumpets would reenter medieval military practices. Clarions, a medieval trumpet with a long bell and no values, was of basic design and could only produce a few distinct pitches. These trumpets would not be used widely in Charlemagne's time, with instead bugle like horns, such as Roland's oliphant, were much more common. However, once the trumpet was commonplace in military practices, they were the most guarded person in the troop, for all communication relied on them. Outside of the military, ceremonies often time featured trumpets, such as the royal welcome that comes to many peoples minds. It was a great event to hear a trumpet for common folk, as trumpet players were associated with these important events. Many times a royal standard or flag would hang down from the long neck.
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| Horn in the Bayeux Tapestry. This was used to call William the Conqueror to dinner, not to battle. More typical of a wartime "trumpet" used in the Song of Roland. |
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| More marginalia, this time showing what a typical clarion would look like with long bell and flags. This type was more common among royalty and ceremonies, not warfare. |
Fun fact:
Although I could not find any true fanfares from the medieval period, I did run across a renaissance period piece that is suppose to feature military calls and signals of the late Medieval era. La bataille by Clément Janequin was composed in 1515. Although preformed by a choir, this piece is the earliest know work to incorporate military signals that could have elements of medieval uses of military signaling. Please take a listen below but keep in mind that this is NOT medieval music but renaissance. The best part is at 2:32, that section seemed most fanfare and "trumpet-like" to me.
Sources:
Just a clarification. By "fun fact" I do not mean any of this is proven. It is just speculated that this composer is the earliest known to incorporate military signals into his music, some elements of which could be from the Middle Ages.
ReplyDeleteI loved the video! Also, I had no clue that the trumpeters were so important or even guarded. I always thought it funny that a military would have any type of instruments with them. To me, it seems like their just giving away their positions. I loved this post, I use to play clarinet back in high school, so learning anything knew involving music is amazing.
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