A Good Old Note: The Serpent in Thomas Hardy's World and Works

Abstract Hardy's works reference many musical instruments used in both church (west gallery) bands and his paternal family's leadership of the Stinsford Church gallery band: while the Hardy family band consisted entirely of string instruments (violins and cello), Hardy makes frequent reference to the clarinet (rendered as clarionet and clar'net), barrel organ, oboe (hautboy), drum, tambourine and serpent — the last of these is the subject of this article. Possibly the least known instrument found in Hardy's bands — if the most exotic — the serpent, its development and use in England in the early 19 th century, is of considerable interest to organologists and students of the west gallery musical tradition. Hardy's works that speak of the serpent shed light on a colourful corner of his writing and provide an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the instrument's role and sound in nineteenth century England.