d gut was also used.By the 11th century, the instrument had found its way into Byzantium and Spain. The Byzantine instrument was held point up, like the Arabic style, though the bow was long and flat, as opposed to curved. The Spanish one was more like the Arabic version. The earliest Spanish example is the Catalan Psalter from the middle of the 11th century. A change in the number of strings occurred as the instrument moved into Europe. The Byzantine instrument had only 2 strings, but the new instrument had anywhere from 2-3, sometimes up to 6 strings.By the middle of the 11th century the instrument was spreading over Europe into Spain, France and Germany, and into England and the rest of Europe by 1100 or so. The Europeans did not significantly change the form of the instrument, however several changes did occur. The number of strings settled on 3 (or 6) instead of 2 (or 4). The instrument was more regularly made of wood rather than gourd or skin, and the method of playing shifted from the vertical lap position to a more horizontal position at the shoulder, much like the modern violin.In its early history, the rebec was seen as a court instrument. Bowed instruments of any kind were very popular in the 11th to 13th centuries in royal society. Having musicians was a sign of status and wealth, a tradition carried into the 14th century. During the 13th century, fiddles were invited into the church as part of the musical presentation of the services. The instrument thrived through the 14th century as a primary stringed instrument until the development of the competing vielles and fiddles, which were fretted bowed instruments, easier to play as the musician did not have to be as accurate with his or her finger placement. By the fifteenth century its appeal in the courtly classes was diminishing, and it was regarded as a rustic instrument, suitable mostly for peasant dances. The violin appears around the middle of the century, ...
