Bagpipes in Medieval Manuscripts


These images come from the Koninklijke Bibliotheek who are nice enough to provide these images to the public. The first two miniatures are from the newly discovered Trivulzio Manuscript. Most of these images are pre-1600 and come from Books of Hours, the "best sellers" of the medieval period. Each example of a bagpiper (except the first) happens to be from the "Annunciation of the Shepherds" portion of these books of hours. I wouldn't necessarily base a replica instrument on any of these but to see them in a group all together can either show generalities in the instruments of the time or provide evidence for severe medieval plagiarism!

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Trivulzio 159v c.15th Century


Trivulzio 205v c.15th Century


MMW, 10 F33 c. 1524


MMW, 10 F33 c. 1524


KB, 76 G18 c.1450


KB, 135 G19 c.1495


KB, 134 C47 c.1490-1500


KB, 74 G39 c.1560

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