Remember, remember, the Fifth of November – also, I hope you remembered to turn your clocks back so that you’re well-rested for Guy Fawkes Night!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night

William Byrd, a “Gentleman of the Chapel Royal,” was one of the best loved and certainly one of the most powerful musicians in England. In 1575, Queen Elizabeth granted him and Thomas Tallis – who had been a “Gentleman” from the time of Henry VIII – a 21 year monopoly on polyphonic music and a patent to print and publish music.

Despite Byrd’s favored status within the Anglican Church, he converted to Catholicism, and even rubbed shoulders with Robert Catesby, who formulated the Gunpowder Plot to blow up Parliament in 1605, during the reign of James I, for which Guy Fawkes gained his undying notoriety.

Though Byrd was never subject to imprisonment for his religion, he was involved in numerous lawsuits and subjected to heavy fines. Elizabeth interceded on his behalf at least once. He participated in illegal services, and the texts he chose to set to music could, at times, have a subversive edge. In particular, as a Catholic in a Protestant country, he became fond of texts related to persecution. Comparatively speaking, he went unmolested, because of his record of allegiance to the crown.

Learn more about Byrd here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Byrd

The secret life of William Byrd:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10323301/The-secret-life-of-William-Byrd.html

Byrd’s motet, “Ne irascaris Domine” (“Do not be angry, Lord”), from his “Cantiones sacrae”:

PICTURED: Gunpowder Plot conspirators