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Did you realise that the Hurdy Gurdy is a genuine musical instrument? One source of early pictorial evidence can be found in twelfth century carvings in the cathedral of Santiago De Compostela in Spain. Its origins probably pre-date this iconography and it is now more commonly of French design and best described as being lute or guitar shaped, with strings which are activated by turning a handle connected to a wheel. This effectively "bows" the strings, much like a violin bow. The melody is played on an integral keyboard, with drones and its own rhythmic accompaniment producing rich musical textures.
The Hurdy Gurdy has endured mixed fortunes throughout history, regarded as a serious instrument of music during the reign of Louis XIV, and being relegated to "beggar's instrument" status in less illustrious eras.
In modern times it is used by folk, mediaeval and renaissance musicians and is found in the cultures of France, Hungary, Italy, Galicia, and Bohemia.
Original repertoire was probably sacred music but nowadays comprises a large range of colourful dance and other music styles drawn from mediaeval, renaissance and western and eastern European folk traditions.
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