Annotation:French Ambassador (The)
Tune properties and standard notation
FRENCH AMBASSADOR, THE. AKA - "French Embassader." 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). The 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".
Source for notated version:
Printed sources: Barlow (Compleat Country Dance Tunes from Playford's Dancing Master), 1985; No. 438, p. 101. Barnes (English Country Dance Tunes, vol. 2), 2005; p. 47.
Recorded sources: