Note Bb2 — APPENDIX I. AN ESSAY ON THE ANCIENT MINSTRELS IN ENGLAND.

[King of the minstrels, &c.] See Anstis's Register of the Order of the Garter, ii. p. 303, who tells us: "The President or Governour of the minstrels had the like denomination of roy in France and Burgundy: and in England, John of Gaunt constituted such an officer by a patent; and long before his time payments were made by the crown, to [a] king of the minstrels by Edw. I. 'Regi Roberto Ministrallo scutifero ad arma commoranti ad vadia Regis anno 5to.' (Bibl. Cotton. Vespas. c. 16, f. 3), as likewise (Libro Garderob. 25, E. 1): 'Ministrallis in die nuptiarum comitissæ Holland filiæ Regis, Regi Pago, Johanni Vidulatori &c. Morello Regi, &c. Druetto Monthaut, and Jacketto de Scot. Regibus, cuilibet eorum xls.' Regi Pagio de Hollandia, &c. under Ed II. We likewise find other entries, 'Regi Roberto et aliis ministrallis facientibus menistrallias (ministralcias, qu.) suas coram Rege. (Bibl. Cotton. Nero. c. 8, p. 84 b. Comp. Garderob.) That king granted, 'Willielmo de Morlee dicto Roy de North, Ministrallo Regis, domos quæ fuerunt' Johannis le Boteler dicti Roy Brunhaud (Pat. de terr. forisfact. 16. E. 3)." He adds below, (p. 304) a similar instance of a rex juglatorum, and that the "king of the minstrels" at length was styled in France roy des violons, (Furitiere, Diction. Univers.) as with us "king of the fidlers," on which subject see below, note [Ee2].