The Society’s version of this dance can be traced to "Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances" (c. 1755) where it was published without setting in bars 1-4 and 9-12.

Several meanings of the name have been discussed. A very likely on is that name traces back to a card game, since the tune is also known under similar names like "Lamb Skinnett", "Lambskinnet", "Lanquenet", "Lansquenet". Lansquenet is the French writing and pronunciation of the German term "Landsknecht" which refers to a foot soldier in foreign service. And there is also a card game with the same name likely introduced by these mercenary soldiers.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) states for "Lansquenet":  
   1. A German foot soldier in foreign service in the 15th and 16th centuries; a soldier of fortune; — a term used in France and Western Europe.  
   2. A game at cards, vulgarly called lambskinnet.

Try the 5-couple version of this - <<ddd:Skamb Linnet>>

Some versions of the instructions for bars 17-24 of this dance have 1st couple dancing above 1st place in 4 bars, setting, then casting with 3rd couple stepping down on 23-24 (and 2nd couple not moving). This was reflected in  the original version of the e-crib. However the revised version of Book 14 has 1st couple dancing up to 1st place as 2nd & 3rd couples step down, then 2nd couple step up again as 1st couple cast. The e-crib was updated to show this version. Although not in the current RSCDS version, Stephen Webb reported that Jean Milligan's Won't You Join the Dance suggests bars 17-20 should be 1 to dance in, 2 to dance up and 1 to dance out. The e-crib shows this.