36 Torleiv Hannaas. 
been different from the violin used in the towns; and this 
implication is, in its turn, suggestive of the most conspicious 
characteristic of the West-Norwegian fiddle of later days: the 
sub-chords. 
I believe that the “Haar-Gie” of Christen Jenson is nothing 
else than what has since been called the *Harding-fele”. The 
two names are very alike, and are both connected with the 
tribe name of Hordar. 
Secondly I hold that the *Hord-gigje” or the “Harding- 
fele” is not an innovation of the Italian violino, but that it 
has directly developed from the Norse “fidla”. The very name 
of “fele’, i. e. fiddle, shows the connection. 
In the Norse literature the name of *fidla” is often men- 
tioned, and it can be traced back till 1153. In all likelihood 
the Norsemen have got both the instrument and its name from 
England (0. E. fidele). 
In the Middle Ages the Norsemen also had another stringed 
instrument, namely the *gigja”, which is perhaps still more 
ancient than the “fidla’’. | | 
During long periods these two instruments lived forth side 
by side, but most probably they have gradually approached 
each other, until they have received the same shape. ; 
The *fidla” has got the upper hand. That is accounted 
for by the fact that the instrument is now—almost everywhere— 
called "fele”. Only in some few districts of Western Norway 
it is still called *gigje”. The sub-chords the Norwegian fiddle 
has most likely received before 1600 and presumedly on Eng- 
lish models. 
Another evidence of the Harding-fiddle being deeply rooted 
in the Norwegian soil, is given by the music it has transmitted 
to us. A dance or a march played on the Harding-fiddle is 
now termed a *slag” or, more commonly, a *slaatt”. Both 
words are found in Old Norse, and are derived from the verb 
*slå”, to strike or to pluck. Accordingly they point back to a 
time when the fiddler “slo”, i. e. plucked the strings of his 
fiddle with his fingers or with a plectrum. 
Many of the Norwegian *slaattar” are so peculiar and old- 
fashioned as regards rhythm as well as melody, that they 
must needs have lead their own secluded lives for centuries. 
