William Byrd

c. 1540 – 4 July 1623

William Byrd (c. 1540-1623) was an English Renaissance composer widely regarded as the greatest English composer of his era. He wrote sacred music for both the Anglican and Catholic churches as well as consort, keyboard, and vocal music, and held a Crown-granted monopoly on music printing with Thomas Tallis. Despite remaining a Roman Catholic in Protestant England, he served in Queen Elizabeth I's Chapel Royal for decades.

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Life events

Born in London
c. 1540

William Byrd was born in London around 1540, the son of Thomas Byrd.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Appointed organist and master of the choristers at Lincoln Cathedral
1563 – 1572

Byrd took up his first major post at Lincoln Cathedral, where he served until 1572.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Sworn in as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal
1572

Byrd joined the Chapel Royal in London, where he shared organist duties with Thomas Tallis.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Granted a royal patent for music printing with Thomas Tallis
1575

Queen Elizabeth I granted Byrd and Tallis a 21-year monopoly on printing music and music paper in England, and the pair published their joint Cantiones sacrae that year.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Published Psalmes, Sonets and Songs and Songs of Sundrie Natures
1588 – 1589

Byrd issued major collections of English songs and consort music, consolidating his reputation as England's leading composer.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Published three Latin Mass settings for Catholic use
c. 1592 – c. 1595

During the 1590s Byrd discreetly published his Masses for three, four, and five voices for use in clandestine Catholic worship.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Moved to Stondon Massey in Essex
c. 1594

Byrd relocated with his family to the village of Stondon Massey, near the Catholic Petre family who became his patrons.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Published the two books of Gradualia
1605 – 1607

Byrd completed his great cycle of Latin liturgical motets for the Catholic church year, published in 1605 and 1607.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died at Stondon Massey, Essex
4 July 1623

Byrd died at his home in Stondon Massey and was described in the Chapel Royal cheque book as 'a Father of Musick'.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓