That however creates an anachronism understanding that the composition in question was written well before 1700. This date would exclude the Brown Bess Musket from consideration as the title source for this piece. I have a problem thinking that it is referring to the Arquebusse either, a rather ponderous and difficult weapon to operate. I am of course going on the assumption that the Welde Manuscript was written in the Sixteenth-Century, and most certainly not any latter than mid Seventeenth-Century. Of course no one has mentioned the ubiquitous farmers cow. I think it is somewhat important to remember that most titled pieces from this period were in reference to people or places and not things with the possible exception of Lady Hunsdon's Puff, the ramifications of which we have already discussed some time ago.
Vance Wood ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 10:49 AM Subject: Re: Brown Bess > The Bess in Brown Bess likely does NOT refer to queen Elizabeth but rather to > the German and Dutch word for barrel, Busse (as in Arquebusse or > Blunderbuss). The musket dates from the the year 1700 and over the next 115 years was the > mainstay of the British army. > > --
