John Merbecke: Difference between revisions

Probably a native of [[Beverley]] in Yorkshire, Merbecke appears to have been a [[boy soprano|boy chorister]] at [[St George's Chapel, Windsor]], and was employed as an organist there from about 1541. Two years later he was convicted with [[Windsor Martyrs|four others]] of heresy and sentenced to be [[execution by burning|burnt at the stake]], but received a pardon owing to the intervention of [[Stephen Gardiner]], [[Bishop of Winchester]],{{sfn|Ford|2009|p=}}{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}} who said he was "but a musitian". An English [[Concordance of the Bible]] which Merbecke had been preparing at the suggestion of [[Richard Turner (reformer)|Richard Turner]], was however confiscated and destroyed.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} A later version of this work, the first of its kind in English, was published in 1550 with a dedication to [[Edward VI of England|Edward VI]].{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}

In the same year, Merbecke published his ''Booke of Common Praier Noted'', intended to provide for musical uniformity in the use of the [[Book of Common Prayer (1549)|First Prayer Book]] of Edward VI. This set the liturgy to semi-rhythmical melodies partly adapted from [[Gregorian chant]]; it was rendered obsolete when the Prayer Book was revised in 1552. Merbecke wrote several devotional and controversial works, and a number of his musical compositions are preserved in manuscript in the [[British Library]], and at [[Oxford]] and [[Cambridge]]. He died, probably while still organist at Windsor, about 1585.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}

His son, [[Roger Marbeck]] (1536–1605), was a noted classical scholar and physician.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}