Annotation:French Ambassador (The)
X:1 T:French Ambassador, The M:C| L:1/8 S:Playford - Dancing Master, 11th edition (1709) K:Bb f2|d2B2F2A2|B6 f2|g2f2 ga b2|a6 g2|f2d2e2f2|g2e2c2g2| _a2 gf =efge|f6::f2|g3f g2a2|b2d2d2d2|g3a b2 ag|^f6 g2| g2d2d2 cd|e2c2c2cd|edcB A3G|G6 B2|A3B ABAB|c2F2F2F2| B3c d2 cB|f6 ga|b2d2g2c2|f2B2A2f2|d2 cB F2A2|B6:||
FRENCH AMBASSADOR, THE. AKA - "French Embassader." AKA and see "Parson's Cap (The)." English, Country Dance Tune (cut time). G Major (Barnes): B Flat Major (Barlow). Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. The melody (as "French Embassader") appears in Henry Playford's Dancing Master, 11th edition (1709) and in all subsequent editions until the end of the series in 1728. It also appears in John Walsh's Compleat Country Dancing Master (London, 1718) and two editions of his Third Book of the Compleat Country Dancing Master (1735 and 1749). However, the melody was earlier published by London dancing master and choreographer Thomas Bray in his Country Dances (1699) under the title "Parson's Cap (The)."
Playford's title may refer to Camille, Marquis de le Baume-d'Hostun, Baron d'Arlanc, Comte de Tallard (1652-1728), or Count Tallard. Tallard was a general turned diplomat who served as Louis 14th's extraordinary to England from 1700-1702, when he was expelled by King William III after King Louis recognized the son of King James II as the successor to the throne of England. Tallard's military reputation peaked during the War of the Spanish Succession, and he was created Marshal of France after several victories. He commanded the French and Bavarian forces at Blenheim in 1704, where he was defeated by John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough and Eugene of Savoy, and was taken prisoner. Tallard has his another melody in the Dancng Master, "Count Tallard".
