An ancient Briton or Welsh stringed musical instrument resembling a harp or lyre, played in medieval times.
From Middle Welsh 'crwth,' an old Celtic stringed instrument. The etymology reflects Celtic musical traditions that predate Anglo-Saxon influence in Britain.
The chrotta is Welsh ancestor of the modern crwth, and it shows up in medieval manuscripts as this mysterious bowed stringed instrument that probably sounded like a cross between a violin and harp! Medieval monks wrote about it but never quite explained how to play it, leaving musicians to guess.
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