Description

King Jacob Shuter

Giddy’s King Harry / Jacob / Shuter’s Hornpipe

I learnt the first tune in this set from Richard Trethewey, a particularly fine singer and fiddle player from Cornwall. It comes from an eighteenth century Cornish manuscript by John Giddy, which contains many tunes in the Baroque idiom. The second tune, ‘Jacob’, is said to have been a particular favourite of the writer, Thomas Hardy. Also known as ‘Enrico’ or ‘Henrico’, it is one of the cornerstones of the English tradition, as was ‘Shuter’s Hornpipe’ if its regular appearance in eighteenth and nineteenth century fiddle manuscripts is any indication. Thankfully, it seems to be regaining some of its former popularity. This version is based on that found in the manuscript belonging to Lawrence Leadley of Heppleby in Yorkshire.