John Taverner is considered today to be one of the most
prominent English composers of the early 16th century. It is
generally accepted that most of his extant music dates from the 1520s. However,
it is also believed, unfortunately, that many of his works are also now lost.
Taverner's music was predominantly vocal, and included masses, Magnificats, and
motets.
Little is known of John Taverner's early life. It is
generally assumed that he was born in south Lincolnshire, possibly near Boston
or Tattershall, around 1490. It is possible during the early part of the 1500s,
he travelled to London and worked there, as some of his music was discovered
among manuscripts of Henry VIII and may have been composed for the Chapel
Royal. However, Taverner's first known appointment was as a clerk-fellow of the
collegiate choir of Tattershall in 1524. In 1526, he accepted the post of
Organist and Master of the Choristers at Christ Church, Oxford (then known as
Cardinal College). His tenure there was rather brief. The following year,
Taverner was embroiled in a scandal involving Lutherans, most notably John
Clark. Though he was reprimanded, he escaped any serious punishment. In 1530,
Taverner left the college.
After 1530, little again is known of Taverner's life. There
is no evidence he held any other musical posts, nor can any known compositions
be dated during the remaining years of his life. It is thought he may have
served as an agent of the Crown, assisting Thomas Cromwell in the Dissolution
of the Monasteries. In 1537, he is listed among the new members of the Corpus
Christi Gild in Boston, Lincolnshire. He eventually became treasurer of the
Gild, and in 1545, became an alderman of Boston. Taverner died later that year
on October 18.
John Taverner
Biography
John Taverner is considered today to be one of the most prominent English composers of the early 16th century. It is generally accepted that most of his extant music dates from the 1520s. However, it is also believed, unfortunately, that many of his works are also now lost. Taverner's music was predominantly vocal, and included masses, Magnificats, and motets.
Little is known of John Taverner's early life. It is generally assumed that he was born in south Lincolnshire, possibly near Boston or Tattershall, around 1490. It is possible during the early part of the 1500s, he travelled to London and worked there, as some of his music was discovered among manuscripts of Henry VIII and may have been composed for the Chapel Royal. However, Taverner's first known appointment was as a clerk-fellow of the collegiate choir of Tattershall in 1524. In 1526, he accepted the post of Organist and Master of the Choristers at Christ Church, Oxford (then known as Cardinal College). His tenure there was rather brief. The following year, Taverner was embroiled in a scandal involving Lutherans, most notably John Clark. Though he was reprimanded, he escaped any serious punishment. In 1530, Taverner left the college.
After 1530, little again is known of Taverner's life. There is no evidence he held any other musical posts, nor can any known compositions be dated during the remaining years of his life. It is thought he may have served as an agent of the Crown, assisting Thomas Cromwell in the Dissolution of the Monasteries. In 1537, he is listed among the new members of the Corpus Christi Gild in Boston, Lincolnshire. He eventually became treasurer of the Gild, and in 1545, became an alderman of Boston. Taverner died later that year on October 18.