Jonathan Halbig Music During the English Reformation

Life for musicians and composers was difficult during the time of the English reformation for a number of reasons. There were several changes of power during this time, and with each change of power came a different view on religion. As different Monarchs came into power, they passed acts that changed which religion would be practiced in England during their reign. Each of these religions had different views on how music would be incorporated in worship. This meant that composers would have to compose their music differently, based on which religion was considered the official religion of England at the time.

It all began when King Henry VII broke away from Roman Catholicism and creating the Church of England. He did this with the Act of Supremacy in 1534. This act passed by parliament, made King Henry the only supreme head on earth of the Church of England. Henry dissolved numerous monasteries all over England this also greatly reduced the amount of music being created.

King Henrys son King Edward the VI took over his reign at the age of nine. Since Edward VI was so young, Thomas Cranmer was the head of the council that actually ran the country. Under the Church of England, they used the Book of Common Prayer, which was written in 1549 by Thomas Cranmer. The act of uniformity made this book the sole legal form of worship in England. In this book

there was no music. This obviously was not a good thing for musicians and composers. Another version, John Marbecks version of the book, had simple melodies in the book. During this time music was sung in the vernacular English.

King Edward was only king for 7 years when he died of an unknown illness. His sister Mary Tudor then came in to power in 1553. Mary was a Catholic and she was known as Bloody Mary for her persecution of Protestants during her reign. In 1553 the Act of Repeal was passed by Parliament, this overturned all of the changes that had taken place during King Henry and Edwards reigns. This again caused change for the musician and composers. Now, since England was Catholic again, Latin would now be used in the music in Church and composers would need to write in Latin.

Mary also had a relatively short reign when she died from the flu in 1558. Mary was preceded by Elizabeth I. Elizabeth was a protestant and again there were changes for the people of England as well as the musicians and composers of the time. The Act of Uniformity again repealed what Mary I had done and changed things back to how they were with Henry and Edward. Elizabeth was tolerant of Catholics during her reign. She also saw more reason for music during the church service. The thirty nine articles published in 1563 emphasized the use of the vernacular and not Latin. Again had to change the way and how they were composing for church services. In 1575 Elizabeth granted on a monopoly on music ??? publication to Thomas Tallis and William Byrd. William and Byrd both wrote the

CantionesSacrae in which they both wrote 17 motets. Byrd was one of the first composers to write choral music in English. Both Tallis and Byrd were know for writing Anthems which were the Church of England version of the motet. One of Byrds most famous Anthems is Sing Joyfully unto God. One of Thomas Tallis most well known works is Gaudegloriosa Dei Mater which is an antiphon. There is debate about whether it was composed for the Virgin Mary or in honor of the Queen. The piece is for 6 part choir and solo.