Hausmusik. An Stelle der im Mittelalter beliebten Hausorgel tritt seit dem 16. Jahrhundert als Hausinstrument das Spinett; das in England; wohl zu Ehren der jungfraulichen Konigin Elisabeth; den Namen Virginal fuhrte. Virginale waren tragbare kleine Tafelklaviere von nur drei Oktaven Umfang und hoher Tonlage. Die dunnen Drahtsaiten gaben beim Tastenanschlag einen klirrenden Ton. Translation: House Music. Since the 16th century; the house organ; which was popular in the Middle Ages; has been replaced by the spinet; which in England was known as the virginal; probably in honor of the virgin Queen Elizabeth. Virginals were portable small square pianos with a range of only three octaves and a high pitch. The thin wire strings gave a jingling sound when the keys were pressed. Illustration for Deutsche Kulturbilder; 1400-1900 (Cigaretten-Bilderdienst Hamburg-Bahrenfeld; 1934).