Annotation:Gallant Blakeney

Back to 

 GALLANT BLAKENEY. English, Jig. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABCC. The melody also appears in print in John Johnson's 200 Favourite Country Dances, vol. 8 (London, 1758). In America, it appears in the c. 1790 music commonplace book of fiddler Thomas Aborn. William Blakeney (1672-1761), 1st Baron Blakeney, put on a spirited and successful defence of Stirling Castle against the Highland forces of Bonny Prince Charlie during the Rising of 1745. King George rewarded him by giving him command of the British forces on the island of Minorca. He was at this post when war with the French broke out in 1756, and he soon found himself besieged by a French expedition determined to take control of the strategic prize. Two undersized relief efforts were made (one by Admiral Byng, whose withdraw from an inconclusive action eventually cost him his life), but Minorca capitulated after a seventy-one day resistance. Blakeney survived and was transported to Gibraltar and then to England, where he found himself a national hero for his efforts.  Source for notated version:  Printed sources: Thompson (Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances, vol. 1), 1757; No. 161.  Recorded sources:

Back to