The Crwth

Paul 'scruffy' Martin gives information about the crwth which is an archaic stringed musical instrument, associated particularly with Welsh music, although once widely-played in Europe. A variety of string instruments so designated are thought to have been played in Wales since Roman times at least. Continuous, clear records of the use of crwth to denote an instrument of the lyre (or the Byzantine bowed lyre) class date from the 11th century Medieval instruments somewhat resembling the crwth appear in pictures (first in Continental Europe) as far back as the 11th century, shortly after bowing was first known in the West. In Wales, the crwth long took second place to the harp in the musical hierarchy.