VIELLE  , viole, viole, a

French term, derived from Lat. fidicula, embracing two distinct types of instruments: (I) from the 12th to the beginning of the 15th century bowed instruments having a box-soundchest with ribs, (2) from the middle or end of the 15th century, the hurdy-gurdy (q.v.) . The medieval word vielle or viole has often been incorrectly applied to the latter instrument by modern writers when dealing with the 13th and 14th centuries . The instruments included under the name of vielle, whatever form their outline assumed, always had the box-soundchest consisting of back and belly joined by ribs, which experience has pronounced the most perfect construction for bowed instruments . The most common shape given to the earliest vielles in France was an oval, which with its modifications remained in favour until the guitar-fiddle, the Italian lyra, asserted itself as the finest type, from which also the violin was directly evolved . (K .