SURGEON HALL. English, Hornpipe (whole time). E Flat Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB'. The title probably refers to Surgeon's Hall of the Company of Surgeons, which, at the time the tune was published in 1770, was on the grounds of the Old Bailey. In 1540 wikipedia:Henry_VIII_of_England brokered an agreement between the wikipedia:Worshipful_Company_of_Barbers (incorporated 1462) and the Guild of Surgeons to form the Company of Barber-Surgeons. This lasted until 1745 when the surgeons broke away from the barbers to form the Company of Surgeons. Initially barber-surgeons did not need a medical degree to practice, and were correctly addressed as Mr., Mrs., Miss, etc. Physicians, on the other hand, in the 18th century held university medical degrees and were entitled to be called Doctor. It wasn't until the year 1800 the College of Surgeons received its Royal Charter, although the Royal College of Physicians were insisting that candidates for membership for the college of Surgeons must have a medical degree first. For several years afterward, however, having obtained the diploma of Member or Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons the surgeon would revert to the title "Mr." as a snub to the physicians[1].
Additional notes
Printed sources : - Charles & Samuel Thompson (Thompson's Compleat Collection of 120 Favourite Hornpipes), c. 1770; No. 60.
