\Min"strel*sy\, n.
1. The arts and occupation of minstrels; the singing and
   playing of a minstrel.
2. Musical instruments. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
3. A collective body of minstrels, or musicians; also, a
   collective body of minstrels' songs. --Chaucer. ``The
   minstrelsy of heaven.'' --Milton.