The William Vickers manuscript, compiled in 1770, is one of the most significant historical artifacts of English folk music, specifically documenting the rich dance traditions of Northumberland and the North East. Published modernly as The Great Northern Tune Book, this collection provides a direct window into the repertoire of an 18th-century fiddler, featuring over 500 tunes that continue to influence the folk revival today. The History of the William Vickers Collection
As of 2026, the following resources provide legal, free access: The William Vickers manuscript, compiled in 1770 ,
Vickers’ manuscript serves as the earliest known written source for several traditional standards that remain popular today, such as "The College Hornpipe," "The Irish Washerwoman," "Soldier’s Joy" . It also contains local Northumbrian favorites like "The Keel Row" "Bobby Shaftoe" Historical and Modern Significance How to Access the Free Tunebook Today As
Author: [Your Name / Institutional Affiliation] William Vickers, a gentleman from Newcastle upon Tyne
This is a modern scholarly edition of one of the most important English manuscript tune books from the 18th century. William Vickers, a gentleman from Newcastle upon Tyne (or possibly Wylam, Northumberland), compiled this manuscript around 1770. It contains over 500 dance tunes, making it the largest known English country dance manuscript from its period.