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rt and music were critical
aspects of medieval religious life and, towards the end
of the Middle Ages, secular life as well. Singing without
instrumental accompaniment was an essential part of
church services. Monks and priests chanted the divine
offices and the mass daily.
Some churches had instruments such as
organs and bells. The organistrum or symphony (later
known as a hurdy gurdy) was also found in churches. Two
people were required to play this stringed
instrument--one to turn the crank and the other to play
the keys.
Medieval drama grew out of the liturgy, beginning in
about the eleventh century. Some of the topics were from the Old Testament
(Noah and the flood, Jonah and the whale, Daniel in the
lion's den) and others were stories about the birth and
death of Christ. These dramas were performed with
costumes and musical instruments and at first took place
directly outside the church. Later they were staged in
marketplaces, where they were produced by local guilds.
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