The papers in the archive indicate that Baines’s interest in historical musical instruments was supported by an interest in historical melodies. The notes in folder 47 L6 contain information on topics relating to historical song and instrumental music, from ballads and hymns to modes and consort music.
This page shows a series of bransles from Thoinot Arbeau’s Orchésographie (1589), a study of late sixteenth-century French Renaissance social dance. Baines has copied out the music with letters of the alphabet representing the notes of the scale.
