John Sheppard

1515-1558

John Sheppard is another fine example of composers and musicians working in the Tudor period. Judging by the output and range of compositions coming from the country, it must have been, along with Flanders one of the centres of musical excellence of its time.

Like so many composers of his era not a great deal is known of him. He may have been born in Thaxted in Essex. He certainly married there, in 1541, a widowed lady, Jane Ewan.

Adam and the Tree of Knowledge - Thaxted Church

As a teenager he served in the choir of St Paul’s Cathedral (1530). By 1543 he was already a Director of Music at Magdalen College Oxford and by 1547 was a member of the Chapel Royal.

he also seems to have been a consummate survivor, having negotiated the choppy waters of the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth. Remarkably he was awarded liveries for both the funeral of Queen Mary and the coronation of Elizabeth I. The livery was a collar often found in late-medieval England and Wales. It was worn about the neck to denote service to a lord.

Despite loyally serving Queen Mary, Sheppard had also composed settings for the Protestant liturgy during the reign of Edward VI.

Nearly all of his works are religious settings using unaccompanied multi part vocals. They are of their time perhaps, but still an exquisite sound that bears quiet contemplation.