points (or arms projecting from the sides), and a knob on the end opposite the neck.

One of the most prominent features of the earlier citoles was a deep neck, so thick that a thumb hole was carved within the neck. This feature gradually receded as the instrument was transformed into the cittern, first becoming larger and then turning into a hook on the back of the neck (a feature of some citterns). The neck was generally shorter than the body, and players' hands did not have to move far to reach all the