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Historians have long debated his identity. Some suggest he was a country dance master, while others believe he was a parish clerk, a professional fiddler, or simply an enthusiastic amateur collector living in or near Newcastle upon Tyne or rural Northumberland. What remains undisputed is his diligence; Vickers meticulously hand-wrote hundreds of tunes into a single notebook, creating one of the most comprehensive snapshots of regional music ever found in England. Inside the Collection: Genre and Musical Diversity
The history of English traditional music is a tapestry woven from regional identities. Few threads are as vibrant or historically significant as The Great Northern Tunebook , universally known to folk musicians and historians as the William Vickers collection. Compiled in the year 1770, this remarkable manuscript offers an unprecedented window into the musical landscape of Northeast England during the late 18th century.
In 2008, a definitive second edition was published jointly by the and the Northumbrian Pipers’ Society (NPS) . This single-volume version, titled The Great Northern Tune Book: William Vickers' Collection of Dance Tunes AD 1770 , is the definitive resource. It contains all 580 tunes meticulously transcribed, complete with detailed notes that trace the origins of the melodies and list alternative titles.
himself, though evidence suggests he was a fiddler living in or near Newcastle upon Tyne Historians have long debated his identity
Remarkably little is known about the man behind the manuscript. The title page of the original document simply reads: “William Vickers, his Book of Tunes, 1770.”
A distinct rhythmic style popular in the border regions during the 1700s.
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The traditional music of North East England holds a unique place in the cultural heritage of the British Isles. At the heart of this musical legacy lies a remarkable historical document: , universally known to scholars and musicians as the William Vickers Collection of Dance Tunes . Compiled around AD 1770, this manuscript offers an unparalleled window into the social life, regional identity, and musical landscape of late 18th-century Northumberland.
Because Vickers’ handwriting can be difficult to decipher, several enthusiasts and scholars have created modern typeset versions (often in ABC notation or PDF format) which are freely circulated within the folk music community. These are superior for musicians who wish to play the tunes rather than study the penmanship.
, the collection offers a rare and unvarnished window into the repertoire of a Northumbrian musician—likely a fiddler—during a period when oral tradition and formal notation were increasingly intersecting. The Compiler and the Manuscript Little is known about William Vickers In 2008, a definitive second edition was published
Do you prefer , ABC notation , or audio/MIDI files ? What instrument are you planning to play these tunes on?
This modern edition is an essential resource for any player or student of traditional music, whether serious or, as Vickers put it, 'half witted, merry and mad'.