The Friar in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales was evidently of a musical bent, "Wel koude he synge, and pleyen on a rote". Many of the modern translations render "rote" as "hurdy gurdy". If that is right then I must say I'm somewhat envious of the Friar; I think that the hurdy gurdy is one of the most wonderful musical instruments ever invented and I would love to have one & be able to play it.
Here is a demonstration of the hurdy gurdy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4y7HNW972M
Here is a wonderful video of a fellow playing two beautiful minuets by Henry Purcell on the hurdy gurdy:
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Very awesome instrument! I've never heard of a hurdy gurdy before.
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