Vielle
Appearance
The vielle is a European bowed stringed instrument used in the Medieval period at festivals and other celebrations, similar to a modern violin but with a somewhat longer body and five (rather than four) gut strings. The instrument was also known as a fiedel or a viuola, although the French name for the instrument, vielle, is generally used. It was one of the most popular instruments of the Medieval period, and was used by troubadours and jongleurs from the 13th through the 15th centuries.
Several modern groups of musicians have formed into bands to play early music (pre-Baroque), and they sometimes include vielles, or modern reproductions, in their ensembles, together with other instruments such as rebecs and saz.