The Selby Serpent

Just a few miles down the road from Stillingfleet, is Selby Abbey. On display there is an instrument contemporaneous to our Singers. The serpent was a popular instrument for church bands. This one is inscribed 'F.PRETTY.MAKER'. Pretty was one of the best-known makers of woodwind instruments, in the first quarter of the 19thC and a number of his serpents are extant, some more ornate than this one. Francis Pretty was based at Waterloo Rd "near the Obelisk, London", according to an inscription on another serpent. We could not find him in the 1841 Census. Church bands often sent to London for their instruments, although they could also be made locally. This serpent appears to be missing its mouthpiece.

The serpent was presented to Selby Abbey by a Mr Brabbs. It is said it was played by 'Mr Robinson' at the Great Musical Festival of 1827, at Selby Abbey.