minstrelsy

noun

Etymology: From Middle English minstralcie, from 13th century Anglo-Norman menestralsie, menestralcie, from Old French menestrel (“minstrel”), itself from Medieval Latin ministralis (“servant, jester, singer”), from Late Latin ministerialis (“imperial household officer, one having an official duty”), from the adjective ministerialis (“ministerial, servants”), from Latin ministerium (“service”).

1. The musical and other art and craft of a minstrel.

   “Orfeo makes his way into this palace, and so charms the king with his minstrelsy, that he gives him back his wife.”

   “They, of course, would change, but not again could she; henceforth no music for her in the Bush birds' minstrelsy, no pleasure in rivalry with buttercups for the butterflies' kiss.”

2. A group of minstrels.
3. Any similar modern group performing song and verse.
4. A collection of minstrel ballads.