The psaltery (or
psaltry) was an ancient string
instrument. It evolved from the simple instrument produced when stretching
gut strings across a wooden
board. This evolved in to its final form by acquiring metal strings, a trapezoidal frame and a sounding box. The
trapezoidal frame, somewhat like that of a grand piano allowed longer strins to be at one end of the
instrument, which tapers as the
length of strings decreases.
The psaltery was usually played with the fingers, but use of a plectrum was not uncommon. Most psalteries were of a size at which they could be held in the crook of the arm, but some performers laid them play on tables to play.
Versions of this instrument existed before the birth of Christ, and it was popular into the fifteenth century, when it was replaced by the zither and harpsichord. A psaltery is mentioned in Chaucer. In Medieval times it was frequently used to accompany music in religious ceremonies, and it is for this reason that a book of psalms is called a psalter