There were two very similar instruments in medieval England that were played with a bow:
Both normally had three strings, but could have four or even five. Both instruments were based on Arabic originals.
The major difference between these two instruments is the the viol was always made with a "waisted" body, like modern violins. Rebecs were made with a simpler, gourd-shaped body without any waist. They had fairly flat bodies in the 12th century, becoming deeper as the medieval era went on.
Bows were simple affairs of wood with horsehair strings.
See links below for images:
From Middle English fithele, fidle*, Old English fithele, from West Germanicfithula*, from Medieval Latin vitula, from Latin vítulárí, to celebrate a victory,from Vitula, goddess of joy and victory, probably of Sabine origin.*unattested
no they just call it that
The viola is sometimes called a fiddle although whoever does is inaccurate, because the violin may be considered a fiddle if played in what i like to call "playing in a fiddle fashion. Please note that you can still fiddle on the viola since it is a technique but the viola itself is not called a fiddle.
medieval money
Ale.
The violin evolved from the medieval fiddle, an instrument that was commonly used in Italy and other parts of Europe. Changes and improvements were made to the fiddle over time, leading to the creation of the violin as we know it today.
Fiddle.
As fit as a fiddle.
jester
A bard, I believe.
That would be an ARCA
Alchemist