minstrels in elizabethan london: who were they, what did they do?

WILLIAM INGRAM

t.7Kinstrel.s in Elizabethan .&don:

Who Were They, What Did f i ey Do?

UK general view of minstrelsy in the sixteenth century is largely the legacy of E. K. Chambers, whose comments in The Medieval Stage (pp. 68-69) are worth rehearsing. With the rise of printing,

according to Chambers, the decline of the minstrel began in earnest. When men began to read books instead of listening to recitations,” he

asserted, the minstrel’s “occupation was gone. Like Benedick he might still be talking, but nobody marked him.” The term itself survived, Chambers observed, but with vastly altered meaning; for the sixteenth century witnessed “the complete break-up of minstrelsy in its medieval form. Although “instrumentalists and vocalists in royal palaces and noble mansions still kept the name and style of minstrels, they were

not minstrels in the old sense, for with the production of literature, except perhaps for a song here and there, they had no longer anything to do.” Chambers postulated that some of the older type of minstrels “were absorbed into the growing profession of stage-players” while “others sunk to be ballad singers.”

One would expect, in support of such a view, that the evidence of Elizabethan documents-especially documents whose provenance is London-would provide little if any information about minstrels, a consequence of their having generally disappeared by Shakespeare’s time. Oddly, such is not the case. Chambers claimed that the spread of literacy brought on their demise; his premise may well be sound, but Elizabethan London was nowhere near so universally literate that the craft would have died out there in Shakespeare’s day. Last summer, while doing research on a quite unrelated topic, I came upon instance after instance of London inhabitants who thought themselves, or were thought by their parish clerk, to be minstrels. I took some time to pursue them; in a relatively short while I found over a hundred of them, and I

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30 English Literary Renaissance have assembled the bulk of the data here, in the form of a listing of their names and the references. To this list I have prefaced some of my uncertain speculations about what it all means.

The first thing to strike one about the evidence is its clustering. We might expect to find goldsmiths clustered in the parishes round about Cheapside, or fishmongers by Billingsgate, but I can imagine no principle to account for the clustering of minstrels in a certain small handful of parishes. True, not all parish clerks troubled to note the trades of their parishioners when they made entries, so there may be minstrels in places for which we have no evidence. But a fair number of registers do preserve information about trades, and in a great many of those parishes there are no minstrels, or perhaps one solitary minstrel. The bulk of the names in my attached list come from a very few parishes, a half dozen at most; fully a third of them come from one single parish, St. Giles Cripplegate. The remaining parishes with significant numbers of minstrels noted in the records are St. James Garlickhithe, St. Botolph Aldgate, St. Dunstan Stepney, St. Stephen Coleman Street, and St. Michael Bassishaw. Other city parishes have only minimal notations of minstrels, one or two at the most, during the period of my inquiry (from the earliest entries in the registers up to about 1610, the point at which G. E. Bentley's records commence).

There is no rationale to explain this distribution. St. Giles Cripplegate, St. Stephen Coleman Street and St. Michael Bassishaw are all contiguous with one another on the northern border of the City, and so the entries from these three parishes may represent a single enclave accounting for half the names on my list; St. Botolph Aldgate and St. Dunstan Stepney are at the far eastern end of the City; and St. James Garlickhithe is on the Thames some six hundred yards west of London Bridge, about as far removed as a parish might be from the two impacted areas just named.

Of the three areas mentioned, the most influential seems to have been the one centered on St. Giles Cripplegate. The short-lived Company of Minstrels seems to have drawn much of its leadership from that parish; and when the company was rechartered by James I in 1604 as the Company ofMusicians, Philip London of that parish was named the first Maste'r and Arthur Tindall and Walter Lowman of that parish were named to the Court of Assistants. Others named as Assistants in the charter included James Sherman of St. Alphage Cripplegate, an adjacent parish, and William Benton of St. Michael Bassishaw, also adjacent. Assistants from elsewhere included William Warren of St. James Gar-

William Ingram 31

lickhithe and Robert Baker from St. Botolph Aldgate. Men such as these, while often styled “minstrels” in various records, would seem to have been primarily musicians. The rechartering of their guild under a new name might suggest a felt need on their part to get rid of the old label and its associations; one remembers that, in Romeo andjtrliet 4.5, Peter scorns Capulet’s musicians by calling them “minstrels,” which they properly take to be an insult.

One should note in that regard that other Londoners, equally in evidence in these parish registers, will be consistently described by the parish clerk as “musician” (or sometimes more precisely “fidler” or

trumpeter” or “lute player”), without ever being alternatively styled minstrel.” With the exception of the lutanist Penitent Thrum, who

should be rescued from oblivion for his name alone, I have made no effort to include these other persons in my list, although a proper study of the matter would seem to argue that I should have. My guiding assumpti09 during my brief period of research on this head was that a parish clerk who wrote “minstrel” rather than something else had a reason for so doing, even though that reason might be lost to me. The notion remains to be examined fully; I do no more than scratch the surface here.

One might invent explanations for the preponderance of minstrels, whether musicians or otherwise, in the vicinity of St. Giles Cripplegate church, but such inventions would be merely grounds for musing. I know of no related activity centered in the same area; even the unsavory Turnmill Street and its environs are too far to the north and west to serve as rationale. Alleyn’s playhouse did not appear in St. Giles parish until the end of the century. The Revels Office was housed nearby, in Clerken- well, but not near enough to qualify as a proximate cause. One day the explanation will be forthcoming, but it eludes me at the present.

I am equally puzzled by the existence of a community-if that is the right word-of minstrels resident in the villages to the east of the City, under the umbrella of the parish of St. Dunstan’s in S tepney, an undistin- guished area that appears to us as being on the outermost fringes of City life. Whatever the attractions here, they must have been different from the advantages of St. Giles. One would like to know a great deal more about the activities that kept Tobias Burroughs, Francis Greenrod, Robert Hasell, Martin Inglesby, Lawrence Ledbetter, Robert Pharo, David Prothero, Robert Simpson and their still-undiscovered colleagues in such seemingly barren places as Limehouse, Ratcliff, Shadwell and Stepney. It is easy to speculate that the riverfront, with its taverns and

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32 English Literary Renaissance seafaring population, furnished the clientele for these minstrels, and such an assumption does no harm, as long as we realize that there is not yet any firm evidence to support such an opinion. Such an assumption may even be beneficial, if it requires us to think about the precise nature of the minstrel’s activity in such venues. The easy equation of minstrel with musician, which seems so reasonable in the context of St. Giles Cripple- gate, seems a bit inadequate in this context, unless we interpret musician in a very broad sense. We may be dealing here with a wider spectrum of the entertainer’s art, one perhaps best described as “performing, or even at times verging on “playing.

Indeed, the distinction that we are inclined to make between performers who speak speeches and performers who sing or dance seems not to have been insisted upon in the Elizabethan period. One need only remember Tarlton or Kemp, perhaps the best-known exemplars of the combined modes. The famous woodcut of Tarlton shows him with pipe and tabor, making music rather than jokes (although no doubt he was able to do both simultaneously); and it is a moot point whether Kemp was better noted by his contemporaries for his Dogberry, his jigs, or his morris dance to Norwich. C. R. Baskervill’s study of the Elizabethanjig provides numerous examples of theatrical pieces that are not easily classifiable as the one or the other, as minstrelsy or as playing. Among the visitors who appear to Kind-Heart in his Dream are both Tarlton the player and a minstrel cryptically named Anthony Now-Now; they are both performers, and the only distinctions that the reader might draw from their remarks center on Anthony’s presumption of greater instru- mental competence among his fellows. That the two men occupied mutually exclusive professional domains is nowhere suggested. Even Geoffrey Fenton, in his regimen for a Calvinist state ( A Form ofChristian Policy, 1574)’ lumps them together; he would banish “Players, whether they bee Minstrels, or Enterludours. ” And the evidence of English playing companies on the Continent suggests that individuals whom we regard primarily as players were noted by their foreign hosts as often for their minstrelsy or for their “feats” as for their acting: the best-known example is Leicester’s troupe of players, including Thomas Pope and George Bryan, who visited Denmark in 1586, where they were set down in the records as “instrumentister” and “springere” rather than as players or comedians. Wilhelm Kempe instrumentist” joined them there later in the same year.

All of this seems to suggest that between the two extremes of

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professional musician and professional actor-between John Dowland and Edward Alleyn, let us say-lies a rather fuzzy middle ground in which the termsplayer and minstrel have no very great utility as terms of distinction. Some of the persons named in my appended list will seem to be musicians, judging from the nature of the evidence presented; in the case of some others, the matter is much less clear.

If one wished to pursue Chambers’ notion that some minstrels might have been on the fringes of theatrical activity, one might begin by noticing the curious and teasing similarity between the names and circumstances of some of the minstrels and the better-known (to us, at any rate) names of players, playwrights, or other playhouse personnel of the same period. Unfortunately, “noticing” the similarity is about all we can do at this juncture, given the present lack of corroborating evidence.

The minstrel George Webster, for example, appears in the register of the parish of St. Giles Cripplegate between 1587 (the year of his marriage) and 1593, and thereafter disappears. He may have departed to avoid the plague that year; there is no record of his burial. Nungezer tells us of a George Webster who appears as a member of Robert Browne’s company in Germany in 1598, staying there until 1603. Possibly the player and the minstrel were the same man. Nungezer also notes another Webster in Browne’s employ, a John Webster, who was with Browne at Cassel in 1596. Mark Eccles thinks that this John is a German scribal error for George, and that there was no player named John Webster. He may well be right. But it is teasing to notice in the St. Giles Cripplegate register that the parish clerk seems to have made the same error; in one instance he has mis-entered George’s name as John. One might, with Eccles, presume that George was periodically miscalled John. It is equally tempting to presume, by way of convenient resolution, that the clerk at St. Giles knew a John Webster as well as a George Webster. This John, ifhe was a bachelor, would have been otherwise “invisible” in the parish register-as most single people were until their burial. If there really was a John Webster in St. Giles, then a confusion between George and John in the clerk’s mind might thus be explicable. Such a presumption invites the further speculation that there was also a real John Webster in Germany, and that the hypothetical two Websters who lived in St. Giles Cripplegate were the same hypothetical two Websters who both worked for Browne, and that they might even have been related. The powers of fantasy, once unleashed upon the requisite flimsy evidence, may indeed know no bounds. The recent researches of Mary

34 English Literary Renaissance Edmond suggest that John Webster the player, if there really was such a person, is not to be identified with the playwright of the same name. She, too, may well be right.

Another similarity is suggested by Nicholas Wilson, minstrel, of St. Giles Cripplegate parish. Robert Wilson, player, whose career began with Leicester’s company in the early 1570s and continued with the Queen’s players after 1583, lived in St. Giles parish and was buried there in 1600. Nicholas the minstrel was married in 1562 and gave one of his sons the name Robert in 1572. Nicholas would thus be of about the same age as Robert the player, perhaps a bit older. Was there a connection? At this point we can only guess.

Yet another similarity suggests itself with Paul Johnson, a minstrel whose name appears in the registers of St. Giles Cripplegate parish between 1578, the year ofhis marriage, and 1600. In the midst of the Paul Johnson entries in the register are two entries, from 1587 and 1593, about the base-born daughter of William Johnson, one of the queenes plaiers. Here again there may be a connection, but in this case the surname is too common to justify much optimism. At best we might have, in the Wilsons and the Johnsons, a pair of Queen’s players each with a minstrel for a brother. At worst we have nothing, and caution is best at this stage.

John Slater, minstrel, also of St. Giles Cripplegate, is another candi- date in the same pattern..He first appears in the register in 1589 as a man already married, and disappears after a number of burials from his household in 1593. Unlike Johnson, the name Slater is sufficiently unusual to invite speculation about John’s relation to Martin Slater the player. They were perhaps about the same age; Martin was born about 1560 and John could not have been too much younger. One of the burials from John Slater’s house in 1593 was his servant Elizabeth Holland, a name that invites speculation on yet another possible connection. Aaron Hol- land, the builder of the Red Bull playhouse, had a wife named Elizabeth, and we know from her will that at the time of her death she had no children living. Aaron and Elizabeth were married in 1581, and by 1593 may well have had a daughter old enough to be put out to service. We know from Robert Greene’s romance Pundosto that the young Fawnia was set to earning her keep when she reached the age of ten. We also know that Martin Slater and Aaron Holland knew one another; in 1605 they were engaged in a joint business venture. I t is certainly conceivable that Aaron’s daughter was put out to service with Martin’s brother, if

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daughter and brother really existed. All of this is ofcourse speculation, to be credited only at one’s risk; the list of minstrels unfortunately invites this sort of reverie.

Other names on the listmay equally invite musing. Those who wish to pursue these and related flights may want to think about the relation of the minstrels Robert Penn and John Penn to the player William Penn, or the relation of the minstrel Thomas Price to the player Richard Price, or if the boy player Robert Baker grew up to become the minstrel of the same name, or if the player John Newton is also the minstrel John Newton.

The most teasing prospect of all, however, is offered by the numerous entries in the register of St. Stephen Coleman Street relating to the minstrel Daniel Burbage. The earliest entry, in 1546, is ofhis marriage to Helen Parker. Recent demographic research by the Cambridge Group suggests that Daniel should have been statistically in his mid-twenties at marriage, so he may have been born in about 1520. This would make him about ten years older than the James Burbage, joiner, with whom we are all more familiar. The register entries for Daniel reflect the christenings and burials of several children, and his own burial in 1563 as (no doubt) a victim of that year’s widespread plague. He left no will, although his widow Helen did some years later before her own death. Unfortunately there are no suggestions, even flimsy ones, in any of these entries to connect Daniel Burbage with James the joiner and his family.

But whether or not one might find a family connection, the mere presence of a Burbage in any city parish before 1576 (the date at which our evidence about James Burbage in St. Leonard’s Shoreditch first shows itself) is enough to prompt a thorough search. The identity of Daniel Burbage is further complicated by the fact that a number of references do appear in the same parish register to James Burbage, joiner. Here we find, after so many years of speculation, some hard facts and dates aboutJames’marriage to John Brayne’s sister Helen, and about the christening of his children Cuthbert and Richard. In a forthcoming essay in The EIizubethan Theatre I address the biographical details, and the early business relations between James Burbage and John Brayne, more fully than I can do here. I t remains to be said, regrettably, that none of the entries relating toJames Burbage shed any light on a possible relationship to the minstrel Daniel. If the mere absence of evidence were no barrier, one might be tempted to supply the missing relationship oneself, with an

obviously” or an it seems clear that”; and if it were 1884 instead of 1 6 6 ‘ .

36 English Literary Renaissance 1984 I would be making such assertions here. Fortunately for our enterprise, the day is long past when such fantasies had any currency as responsible scholarship.

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

PRELIMINARY FINDING LIST: Elizabethan andjacobean Minstrels

In the documentarv citations that follow, i / i and u/v have been normalized in conformity with ELR’s editorial practice.

ALMOND, John, minstrel “Jhon Almond sonne to Jhon Almond

Cittizen & Minstrell” christened at St. Botolph Aldgate on September 19, 1660

ANSLOW, Christopher, minstrel From the registers of St. Giles Cripple-

gate: “Elsebethe Aneslow wedowe” buried

on July 23,1566 “Cicile Anslowe daughter of Chris-

tofer” christened on July 2, 1581 “Maudlin Roydon servant xpofer

Anslo minstrell” buried on Sep- tember 11, 1582

“Richard Anslo sonne of xpofer Anslo minstrell” christened on November 30, 1583

“John the sonne of xpofer Ansloo mynstrell” christened on April 9, 1592

“John the sonne of xpofer Ansloo mynstrell” buried on July 26, 1593

“Anne Lugge, servant with xpofer Ansloo mynstrell” buried on Sep- tember 11, 1593

“Robert the sone of Christopher Ans- loo mynstrell” buried on November 5 , 1593

AQUINE, Leonard, minstrel’s apprentice?

“Leonarde Aquyne, servant with John Slater mynstrell” buried at St. Giles Cripplegate on July 25, 1593

BAGBY, Richard, minstrel “Ursala daughter of Richard Bagbie

mynstrell” christened at St. Giles Cripplegate on September 25, 1597

“Roberte Baker sonne to Robert Baker minstrell” christened at St. Botolph Aldgate on June 6, 1596

From the records of the Court of

Robert Baker appointed an apprentice City Wait in 1588 (apprenticed to Anthony Tindall q.v.), a post he held until his resignation in 1594 to serve the Queen. He is described as a recorder player. [Corporation of London Record Office, Repertory 20, fol. 453; Repertory 23, fol. 2961

“Anne the daughter of John Ballard musition” christened at St. Dunstan in the West on January 13, 1594

From the records of the Court of Alder- men:

John Ballarde, yeoman, appointed one of the Waits of London in 1594, a post he held until his death in 1601. [Corporation of London Record Office, Repertory 23, fol. 296; Rep- ertory 25, fol. 274~1

BAKER, Robert, minstrel

Aldermen:

BALLARD, John, musician

BARROW, William, minstrel WILL: William Barrow, citizen and

minstrel of London. Will made December 23,1553, proved January 23, 1554. To be buried in St. Mary Aldermanbury churchyard near his wife Joyce. Names present wife Eli-

zabeth and children Thomas, William, Thomas Znd, Christopher, Margaret, Alice, Thomasin, Joyce, and Elizabeth. [London Commissary Court register, Guildhall, 9171/13 fol. 161

Parish register for St. Mary Alderman- bury has no entries for 1554, so no record of his burial

BATEMAN, Robert, minstrel/musician

WILL: Robert Batemanofst. Alphage near Cripplegate, musician. Nun- cupative will dated February 11, 1618. Bequest to the Company of Musicians. Says he was born in All Hallows Barking parish. Names wife Joan, brother Richard Bate- man, sister Helen Young. To his late servant Valentine Fludd “his best treble violyn his base vial1 and his tenor.”[PRO, PCC 18 Meade, now PROB. 11/131 fols. 139v-140rI

From the registers of St. Michael Bassi- shaw:

“Robert Bateman” christened on August 10, 1543

“frauncis battman the son of Robarde battman mynstrell” christened on March 21, 1568

BENNETT, John, minstrel’s apprentice “John Benete A Prentys with Thomas

longe mynstrell” buried at St. Ste- phen Coleman Street on April 8, 1558

BENNETT, Richard, minstrel WILL Richard Bennett, citizen and

minstrel of London, of St. Gabriel Fenchurch parish, widower. Will made August 31, 1593, proved October 20, 1593. Names sister Rebecca Inch, brother Robert Bill, apprentice Stephen Elliott. Testa- tor’s mark. No record ofhis burial in the register of St. Gabriel Fen- church. [London Commissary Court

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register, Guildhall, 9172/16C fol. 1041 From the registers of St. Giles in the

Fields: “Richard benet [married] to Augnes

ynche” on January 2, 1583 “Agnes benett ye daughter of Ric

benet shoomaker” christened on August 1, 1584

“Augnes benet the doughter of Richard benetl’buried on August 12, 1584

“Augnes benet the wiff of Richard benet Shomaker and Cobler” buried on June 5, 1592

BENTON, Fabian, minstrel From the registers of St. Michael Bassi-

shaw: “Isabel1 the daughter of fabyan ben-

ton” christened on January 17, 1550 “John Benton the Sonne of ffabyan

Benton mynstrell” christened on January 12, 1554

“Ales benton the doughter of ffabyan benton” christened on June 24,1556

“Alys benton the dawghter of fabyon benton mynstrell” buried on November 28, 1556

“John Benton ye sonne of fabian benton died & was buryed”[of plague?] on October 3, 1563

BENTON, William, minstrel From the registers of St. Michael Bassi-

shaw: “ffabyan Bentam the sonne of

wylyame Bentam” christened on December 3, 1575

“Wyllyam bentonn the sonne of wylyam benton mynstrell” christened on October 28, 1578

“Henry Benton the son of willm Ben- ton” christened on December 10, 1581

“Agnes Coles sojurner at William benton” buried on February 18, 1584

“Brydget Benton the Daughter of willm Benton” christened on May 2,

38 English Literary Renaissance 1585

“Brydggett Bentonn ye Daughter of willm Bentonn” buried on Sep- tember 20, 1587

“Henrie Benton the sonne of William Benton” buried on October 4, 1593

“Jane Sheaparde servante to William Benton” buriedon Ocrober29,1593

“Tho: Cradock, servant with Mathew Byllinge mynstrell” buried at St. Giles Cripplegate on March 12,1593

BLANKS, Edward, minstrel/musician From the registers of St. Giles Cripple-

gate: “Joane Trevis servant with Edwarde

Blankes minstrell” buried on Sep- tember 17, 1583

“Ann Blanke wife of Edwarde Blankes musitian” buried on June 8, 1585


Edward Blancq appointed one of the Waits of London in 1582, a post he held until he resigned in 1594. [Corporation of London Record Office, Repertory 20, fol. 376v; Repertory 23, fol. 319~1

BONE, Thomas, minstrel

BILLING, Matthew, minstrel

“Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Boane mynstrell” buried at St. Giles Cripplegate on September 15, 1604

BOWBANK, Thomas, minstrel Thomas Bowbank minstrel stood wit-

ness to the will of William Walker of St. Andrew by the Wardrobe on December 27, 1544. [London Consistory Court will, Greater London Record Office, DLC/418 bundle I1 #55]

BRIGHTWELL, John, minstrel/ musician

“Jno brytewell the sonne of Jhon brytwell musytycyon” christened a t S t . James Garlickhithe on

December 8, 1578 “Joyce Brightwell the daughter of

John Brightwell musysian” christened at St. James Garlickhithe on August 10, 1580

“Julyan the wyfe ofJohn Brightwell mynstrell” buried at S t . Giles Cripplegate on October 3, 1592

BROTHERHEAD, John, minstrel From the registers of St. Giles Cripple-

“John Brodered and Ales Powell”

“John Brodered mynstrell was bur-

gate:

married on May 11, 1561

ied” on July 31, 1563 BUCKHAM, Hans, minstrel

“Grisell base borne daughter of Jo- ane Syimson” buried at S t . Giles Cripplegate on November 7,1585 “and as she saith the fathers name is Haunce Buckham minstrell”

BURBAGE, Daniel, minstrel From the registers of St. Stephen Cole-

man Street: Wedding “of Danyell Burbygge and

Helen parkar” on August 26,1546 “anne Burbrydge” christened on

August 17, 1547 “laurens burbydge” christened on

March 11, 1550 “Chrystofer Burbrage the sonne of

Danyel Burbrage mynstrell” christened on May 23, 1551

“Henry Burbage the sonne of Dan- ye1 Burbage mynstrel” christened on September 18, 1553 Iarry Burbage the sone of Danyel Burbage mynstrell” buried on September 26, 1553 Ienry Burbradge the sone of Dan- ye1 Burbradge” christened on October 14, 1557

“Burynge of danyell Burbyge the xvith day of marche” 1563

“Christopher Burbidge the sone of Elyne burbidge” buried on Sep-

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tember 12, 1563 “Harry burbydge the sone of Elyne

burbydge” buried on September 24, 1563

“burynge of danyell burbyge the 16 day of marche” 1565 [*This is a ghost en t ry ; it repeats almost literatim the entry of t w o years earlier. I suspect that the parish clerk mislaid the slip in 1563, after having made the original entry; then found i t again two years later and entered it a second time.]

From the records of the Carpenters’ Company:

“Lawrence Burbiges” apprenticed for 8 years to John Wollmar at Candlemas 1566, a t age 16, but never gained his freedom.

WILL of “Elen Burbytch” widow of St. Stephen Coleman Street. Nun- cupative will made September 21, 1575, proved November 3 , 1575; testator leaves all goods to “her sonne Lawrence Burbytch and her daughter Anne Burbytch equally .” [London Commissary Court original wills, Guildhall, 9172/9A fol ,1621

“beryng of ellene bowrbrege the 21 daye September” 1575 at St. Ste- phen Coleman Street

BURROUGHS, Tobias, minstrel “Anne daughter ofTobias Burrowes

of brookstreet minstrell” christened at St. Dunstan Stepney on November 27, 1605

CHAMBERS, Richard, minstrel/ musician

From the registers of various churches: “ R i c h a r d C h a m b e r s and J o a n e

H a w s e ” marr ied a t St . Giles Cripplegate on January 2, 1573

“Elizabethe Chambers the daughter o f Richard Chambers musysian” christened at St. James Garlick-

hithe on September 7, 1580 “ R o b e r t e C h a m b e r s s o n n e of

R i c ha r de Chambers mi ns t r e 11 ” christened at St. Giles Cripplegate on January 16, 1583

A n t o n y e C h a m b e r s s o n n e o f Richarde Chambers minstrel]” buried at St. Giles Cripplegate on September 29, 1587

“Richard Chambers and Sibell Long- ford” marr ied a t St. Botolph Bishopsgate on April 26, 1590

“Raphe sonne of Ric Chambers” christened a t St. Botolph Bishops-. gate on October 17, 1591

“ J a n e d a u g h t e r o f R i c h a r d C h a m b e r s m y n s t r e l l ” chr i s - tened at St. Giles Cripplegate on August 20, 1592

“ J o h n , t h e s o n n e of W i d d o w Chambers” buried at St. Giles Cripplegate on October 31, 1592

“Joane Chambers Widdowe” buried at St. Giles Cripplegate on Nov- ember I , 1592

“[blank] the sonne o f widdowe Chambers” buried at St. Giles Cripplegate on November 9,1592

“Mary, the daughter of Widdow Chambers” buried at St. Giles Cripplegate on November 12, 1592

“Richard Chambers” buried a t St. Botolph Bishopsgate on Septem- ber 2, 1593

“Katherine daug of Ric Chambers” christened at St. Botolph Bishops- gate on April 10, 1597

COLLEY, Thomas, minstrel

“

“Allen the sonne of Thomas Colley mynstrell” buried at St. Giles Cripplegate on March 18, 1597

CONWAY, Robert, minstrel From the registers ofSt . Giles Cripple-

“Randall Conweye sonne of Robert gate:

40 English Literary Renaissance Conwey minstrell” buried on Sep- tember 6, 1583

“Ann Conwey daughter of Randoll [error for Robert?] Conwey minstrell” buried on September 17, WILL: John Drane of All Hallows 1583 the Great, minstrel. Nuncupative

“Luce Conway, widdowe” buried will made May 1, 1552. Names on March 31, 1596 wife Mary. [London Archdea-

conry Court register, Guildhall, 9051/2 fol. ~ O V ]

No register survives for All Hallows the Great in this period, so no record of his burial.

FIELD, William, musician

school. Petition was denied. [Cor- poration of London Record Of- fice, Repertory 13, fol. 97v]

DRANE, John, minstrel

COXSON, Augustine, musician WILL: Augustine Coxson, musician.

Will made May 8, 1589, proved May9,1589. Signature of testator. [London Commissary Court register, Guildhall, 9172/14A fol. 97)

CRADDOCK, Thomas, minstrel’s apprentice?

Mathew Byllinge mynstrell” buried at St. Giles Cripplegate on March 12, 1593 gate:

“Henrye ffeilde sonne to William ffeilde musition” christened at St.

“Tho : Cradock , s e rvan t w i th Botolph Aldgate on May 17, 1594 FOX, William, minstrel From the registersofst. Giles Cripple-

“William foxe ye sone of Rychard “Dayntre Dayle the sonne of Willm foxe” christened on November

d. a mynstrell” christened at St. 15, 1562 Saviour Southwark on June 14, “Sara the daughter of Wyllm ffox 1573 mynstrell” christened on Febru-

ary 26, 1593 “Gyllymet daughtr of Wyllm ffox

mynstrell” christened on May 12, 1595

“John the sonne of W: ffox mynstrell” christened on September 27, 1597

DALE, William, minstrel

DAMON, William, musician “Sara Darnon the Daughter ofwillm

Damon musycion” christened at St. James Garlickhithe on Febru- ary 4, 1570

DAWES, John, musician From the registers of St. Dunstan in the

West: FRITH, Richard, minstrel “Alice the daughter of John Dawes

musition” christened on February 11, 1591

“Marye the daughter ofJohn Dawes musicion” christened on June 24, 1593

DORMOUNT, Christopher, minstrel

Christopher Dormount and John Kingsfield (q .v . ) , bo th minstrels, exhibited a petition before the Court of Aldermen on Novem- ber31 [sic], 1558 to keep a dancing

WILL: Margaret Frith, widow of Richard Frith, citizen and minstrel of London, of St. Martin Ludgate parish. Names son William Frith. Names as overseer James Sher- man, citizen and minstrel of Lon- don, q.v. Will made May 15,1595, codicil added February 13, 1602, proved March 6, 1605. [PRO, PCC 17 Stafford, now PROB. 11/107 fols. 131r-132rI

GREENROD, Francis, minstrel From the registers ofSt. Dunstan Step-

William Ingram 41

ney: Susan daughter of ffrancis Grene- rod ofbrookstreet Minstrel1”christened on May 17, 1605

“ffrancis son of ffrancis Grenerod of brookstreet ministrell” christened on November 9, 1608

“William sonne of ffrancis Grenerod of brokstreet mins trill ” christened on March 29, 1611

“

HAMMOND, Thomas, minstrel From the registers of St. Mary Wool-

noth: “Richard Hamond the sonne of

Thomas Hamond Mynst re l l” christened on September 4, 1571

“Alice the Daughter of Thomas Hamonde Myns t r e l l ” christened on November 15, 1572

HASELL, John, musician “John Hassell musicion” buried at

St. James Garlickhithe onOctober 15, 1582

HASELL, Robert, minstrel/musician From the registers ofSt. Dunstan Step-

ney: “John son of Robert Hassell of

Lymehous ministrell” christened on March 5, 1609

“Robert sonne of Robt Hasslett of Limehouse musitone” christened on October 28, 1610

HAYDEN, John, minstreVmusician From the registers of St . Nicholas Cole

Abbey: “Ralph ye sonne of John Haydon

musition” christened on February 1 , 1596

“Sara ye daughter ofJohn Haydon” christened on January 23, 1597

“Elezabeth ye daughter of John Haydon musition” christened on October 15, 1599

Sara ye wife ofJohn Heydon musition” of St. Nicholas Cole Abbey, buried on October 29,1599 “at St

“

margrett westminster” “Marke ye sonne of John Haydon

minstrill” christened on Novem- ber 2,1600

“Elizabeth ye daughter ofJohn Hay- don musition” buried “in ye churchyard” on September 30, 1602

“Marke ye sonne of John Heydon” buried “in ye Cloyster = P” [i.e., of plague] on September 7,1603

“Sara ye daughter of John Headon” buried “in ye Cloister” on March 24, 1609

HIGGINS, Anthony, minstrel “ffrancis the sonne of Anthonie Hig-

gins mynstrell” buried at St. Giles Cripplegate on June 4,1596

HILLIARD, George, musician WILL: George Hilliard, musician,

will made March 15,1575, proved March 26, 1575. Names wife Ag- nes, brother John, sister Audrey, son George. Leaves his music books to son George, his Latin books to brother John. [London Commissary Court register, Guildhall, 9172/9A f01.401

From the registers of St. James Gar- lickhi the:

“George Hyllyard sonne of George Hyllyard musicion” christened on September 19,1573

George Hillyard niussicion” buried on March 18,1575

“

HILLIARD, Richard, musician From the registers ofSt. James Garlick-

hithe: “Chr i s t i an T a k e servant w i th

Richard Hi l lyard mussision” buried on January 10, 1575

“Jane Hilliard the daughter of Rychard Hilliard Mussysion” christened on January 23, 1575

HOLMES, Francis, minstrel’s apprentice?

42 English Literary Renaissance “ffrauncis Homes servant with Ro-

ber Penne minstrel” buried at St. Giles Cripplegate on October 13, 1582

INGLESBY, Martin, minstrel “Thomas sonne of Martin Ynglesby

ofRatclifMinstrel1”christened a t St. Dunstan StepneyonOctober4, 1607

JACKSON, Thomas, minstrel’s apprentice?

Thomas Jackson, servant with Edward Morris mynstrell” buried a t St. Giles Cripplegate on August 27,1593

JOHNSON, Paul, minstrel/musician From the registers ofSt. Giles Cripple-

gate: “Paule Johnson and Elyzabeth

Laker” married on November 1, 1578

“Judith Johnson daughter of Powle Johnson minstrell” christened on September 20,1584

“John the sonne of Paul Johnson mynstrell” christened on May 19, 1591

“Sara daughter ofPaul Johnson mynstrell” buried on January 4, 1595

“Sara daughter of Paul Johnson mynstrell” christened on June 15,1597

John, the sone of Paul Johnson, musytion” buried on September 10,1600

“Margarett, daughter of Paul1 John- son, musytion”christened on Sep- tember 19,1600

“

“

JONES, Richard, minstrel From the registers of St. Stephen Cole-

“rebecca jonis” christened on Sep-

Margaret Jones” christened on

“Abigail Jons” christened on Sep-

man Street:

tember 10, 1539

November 4, 1540

tember 21, 1542

“

L ‘ m a r g a r e t e J o n s ” b u r i e d o n December 12,1542

“abegal jones” buried on November 6, 1543

“ p h e b e J o n s ” c h r i s t e n e d o n September 10,1544

“Thobias Jons” christened and buried on August 2,1547

“ S o b a b J o n s ” c h r i s t e n e d o n September 18,1548

“Triphena Jons his sister” christened on the same date

“Rychard Jons” buried on August 7 , 1549

“Sabab Jonns the sonne of Rychard Jons mynstrell” buried on April 5, 1555

“Ric Jones & Joane whitt” married on October 11, 1563

“Jone Jones the childe of Ric Jones” christened on August 13,1564

John Kingsfield and Christopher Dormoun t ( q . v . ) , bo th minstrels, exhibited a petition before the Court of Alderhen on November 31 [sic], 1558 to keep a dancing school. Peti t ion was denied. [Corporation of London Record Office, Repertory 13,

LADYMAN, Robert, minstrellmusi- cian

From the registers of St. Giles Cripple- gate:

R o b t Ladyman and M a r g e r y Mercer” married on January 30, 1592

“Elizabeth daughter of Robt Lady- man mynstrell” christened on June 12,1593

“Elizabeth, daughter of Robt Lady- m a n , m u s y c i a n ” b u r i e d o n October 10, 1600

KINGSFIELD, John, minstrel

fO1.97Vl

“

LANGDALE, Robert, minstrel WILL: Robert Langdell of London,

William Ingram 43

minstrel. Will made April 5,1601, proved May 18, 1601. Asks to be buried in the churchyard of St. Botolph Aldgate parish. Names daughter Jane Langdell; leaves all his goods to John Barrell, gentle- man. [ London Archdeaconry Court register, Guildhall, 905115 fol. 184v; also original will, Lon- don Archdeaconry Court original wills, Guildhall, 9052111

From the registers ofSt. Stephen Cole- man Street:

“Robt Langden & ellyn Evens”married on October 1,1564

“Jhon Langden the chyld of Robart Langden” christened on Septem- ber 17, 1566

“Cuthbert Langden the Childe of Robert Langden” christened on

. July 10, 1569 “Katherin Langdell the child of

Robar t Langdell” bur ied on September 4, 1577

“John Langdale the child of Robart Langdale” buried on September 29, 1577

“Cutber t Langdale the child of Robar t Langdale” bur ied on October 3,1577

“ R o b a r t Langdale” bur ied on October 19,1577

From the registers of S t . Giles Cripple- gate:

“[a child christened] f rom m r Langdens in Carter place” on March 25,1591

“[a child christened] from Robt Langdens howse in garter place” on March 6,1592

Susan Hulse, servant with Robt Langdell mynstrell” buried on August 28, 1593

“

From the registers of other parishes: “Robart Langdall & Mary Sturde-

van” married a t St. Botolph

Bishopsgate on July 7, 1580 “Robert Langlie Alias Langdell a

Minstrell” buried at St. Botolph Aldgate on May 12, 1601

LAYLAND, John, minstrel WILL: John Layland, citizen and min-

strel of London. Will made Janu- ary 20, 1558, proved February 15, 1558. Asks to be buried in the choir of St. Michael le Queme church. Names wife Thomasin; has no children. [London Archdeaconry Court register, Guildhall, 905112

St. Michael le Querne has no surviving register for this period, so no record of his burial.

fol.2193

LEDBETTER, Lawrence, minstrel From the registers of St . Dunstan

S tepney: “John sonne of Lawrence Ledbetter

of brookstreet minstrell” christened on December 5,1604

“Grace daughter of Lawrence Led- better of brookstreet minstrell” christened on October 18,1608

Margery daughter of Laurance Leadbeater of brakestreet musitian” christened on December 7, 1610

“

LEWIS, John, minstrel From the registers of St. Michael

Bassishaw: “Edmond lewes sone ofJohn lewes”

christened on May 31,1551 “Richard lewes the sone of John

lewes” buried on July 16, 1551 “Anne Lewes. the daughter of John

lewes” christened on March 3, 1553

“John Lewes of this parisshe [married] unto Cateryn motte of the parisshe of Waltam Stowe” on September 2,1554

“[blank] lewys son of John lewys mynstrell” christened on August

44 English Literary Renaissance 15,1555

“John Lewys the son ofJhon Lewes” christened on April 20, 1557

“Emanuell Lewys son of Jhon Lewys” christened on December 22, 1560

“John Lewes the sonne ofJohn lewes died & was buried” [of plague?] on September 29,1563

“John Lewes the sonne of John Lewes p0yntmaker”christened on October 26,1575

“Alyce wyllforde servant with John Lewes poynt maker” buried on October 23, 1577

“Rychard Lewys the sone of John Lewes poyntmaker” buried on December 5,1577

“Thomas Lewes the sonne of John Lewes p0yntmaker”christened on December 14,1578

“Margarett Lewes wiffe of Jhon Lewes” buried on April 19,1589

LONDON, Philip, minstrel From the registers of St. Giles Cripple-

gate: willm london was buried” on October 23,1563

“Philip London and Annes Syre” married on May 3,1575

“Agnes London wife of Phillippe London minstrell” buried on June 17,1587

“

LONG, Thomas, minstrel From the registers of S t. Stephen Cole-

man Street: “Alyce longe the dowghter of tho-

mas longe mynstrelle” christened on October 8,1551

“alyce longe the dawghter of thomas longe mynstrelle” buried on April 18,1552

“John longe the sonne of thomas longe mynstrell” buried on June 20,1552

“Anne longe the dowghter of Tho-

mas longe mynstrelle” christened on October 24,1553

“John Benete A Prentys with Tho- mas longe mynstrell” buried on April 8, 1558

“Edward longe the sonne ofThomas longe myns t r e l l ” bur ied on November 9,1558

agnes longe ye daughter ofThomas longe minstrell” buried on July28, 1563

“

LOWICK, Ralph, minstrel “Griffin Lowick sonne to Ralphe

Lowick a Minstrell” christened at St. Botolph Aldgate on April 19, 1601

LOWMAN, Walter, minstrel WILL: Walter Lawman, citizen and

musician of London. Will made March 29, 1611, proved May 31, 1611. Names wife Anne, children Edward, John, and Susanna. [Lon- don Commissary Court register, Guildhall, 9171/21 fol. 341; the original will also survives, with the testator’sown signature “Wal- ter Lawman;’’ London Commis- sary Court original wills, Guild- hall, 91721251


Ellin loman ye daughter of Walter 1oman”christened on Julyl9,1563

Jone Loeman the daughter ofwater Loeman” christened on December 5,1564

“John Lowman sone of Water Low- man” christened on March 20, 1570

“Joane Lowman the Doughter of Walter Lowman” christened on June 24,1571

“Susan Lowman the Doughter of Walter Lowman” christened on December 21,1573

“Pernell Lowman the Doughter of

“

“

William Ingram 45

Walter Loweman” christened on August 5, 1576

“Sara Lowman ye daughter of Wal- t e r Lowman” chr i s tened on August 30,1578

“John Loweman sonne of water” christened on October 23, 1580

From the records of the Cour t of Aldermen:

Walter Lowman appointed one of the Waits of London in 1561, a post he held until his death in 1611. [Corporation of London Record Office, Repertory 14, fo1.448~; Repertory 30, fo1.1211

MARKHAM, John, musician “Marye Marcom daughter to John

Marcom musition” christened at St. Botolph Aldgate on January 19, 1593

MAY, William, minstrel From the registers of St. Giles Cripple-

gate: “Willm Mey and Alles yonge” mar-

ried on February 2,1562 “Willm Maye househoulder min-

strell” buried on December 11, 1584

MAYNARD, Thomas, minstrel WILL: Thomas Maynard, citizen

and minstrel of London. Will made January 23, 1550, proved February 6, 1550. Names wife Ellen. Asks to be buried in St. Mary Somerset churchyard. [Lon- don Archdeaconry Court register, Guildhall, 905112 fol. 41

St. Mary Somerset registers do not sur- vive from this date, so no record of his burial.

MEEKS, Peter, minstrel I ‘ peter mekys mynstrell” buried at

St. Margaret Lothbury on Febru- ary 7,1553

MORRIS, Edward, minstrel From the registers of S t. Giles Cripple-

gate: “Jane Morrys, servant with Edward

Morrys mynstrell” buried on July 29,1593

Thomas Jackson, servant with Edward Morris mynstrell” buried on August 27, 1593

“Mary, daughter of Edward Morrys, mynstrell” christened on January 3, 1599

“

NEWTON, John, minstrel “Thomas Newton sonne of John A

mynstrell” christened at St. Sav- iour Southwark on August 17, 1584

NEWTON, Richard, musician “Susan Newton daughter to Richard

Newton musition” christened at St. Botolph Aldgate on March 16, 1593

NORDEN, William, musician’s apprentice?

“Wil l iam Norden servant wi th Humfry warren musicion” buried at St. James Garlickhithe on July 1, 1579

OLIVER, Edward, minstrel From the registers of St. Giles Cripple-

gate: “Edward the sonne of Edward Oly-

fer mynstrell” buried on July 13, 1593

“Susan daughter of Edward Olyfer mynstrell” christened on Sep- tember 25, 1597

“Susan, daughter of Edward Olyfer, mynstrell” buried on September 12, 1599

Dorothie Dutton, servant with Edwarde Olyfer, mynstrell” buried on December 15,1599

“Isbell Olyfer wyddowe” buried on January 3, 1600

“

PAINE, Thomas, minstrel “Edmund Payns the sonne of Tho-

mas payns mynstrell” christened

46 English Literary Renaissance at St. Stephen Coleman Street on August 24,1556

PARADISE, Reynold, musician From the registers of St. Michael Bassi-

shaw: “Cornelia Aunswell the mother of

Reignold paradice wief straun- ger” buried on October 17, 1569

“Cornelia parradice the doughter of Reignold paradice musicion” christened on November 13,1569

“Cornelia Parradice the Doughter of Reignold parradice musicion” buried on December 16,1569

danyell parydyce the sone of Ren- ald paredyce musyssion” buried on January 11, 1570

“

PARSONS, Richatd, minstrel “willm parsons the sonne ofRychard

parsons, mynstrell” christened at St. Saviour Southwark on Sep- tember 12,1573

PENN, John, minstrel From the registers of St. Giles Cripple-

gate: “John Penn& Joane Preasman”mar-

ried on November 26,1581 “Isabel1 Greenenocke servant with

John Pen ministrell” buried on March 14,1583

“Paul1 Penn sonne ofJohn Penn minstrell” christened on December 1, 1583

“Paule Penn sonne of John Pen minstrell” buried on January 7, 1584

“William Penn sonne ofJohn Penne minstrell” christened on October 20,1585

“William Penn sonne of Roberte [error for John?] Penn minstrell” buried on October 27,1585

“John Penn and Alyce Sanders” married on March 2, 1590

PENN, Robert, minstrel From the registers of St. Giles Cripple-

gate:

“Robert Penne and Jone Briane” married on July 3,1580

“Rebecka Penne daughter of Rob- ert” christened on April 10, 1581

“Rebecka Pene daughter to Robert” buried on August 9,1581

“ffrauncis Homes servant wi th Rober Penne minstrel” buried on October 13,1582

“John Penne sonne of Robert Penn minstrell” buried on November 1, 1582

“Joane Page servant with Robert Penn rninstrell” buried on January 25, 1583

“William Penn sonne of Roberte [error for John?] Penn minstrell” buried on October 27,1585

“Joane Penne daughter of Roberte Penne minstrell” christened on October 22,1586

“John Walters yowman & And [sic] Anne Penne” married “by licens” on November 23,1586

“Thomas Penne sonne of Roberte Penne minstrell” christened on March 24, 1588

“Joane the wyfe of Robert P e m mynstrell” buried on November 9, 1591

PETER, John, minstrel “Annys Peter the D. of John Peter

mynstrell” christened at St. Sav- iour Southwark on September 13, 1573

PHARO, Robert, minstreVmusician From the registers of St. Dunstan Step-

ney: “Jane daughter of Robert Pharoa of

Stepney minstrell” christened on March 14, 1606

“ W m sonne of Robert Pharoe of Shadwell Minstrel1”christened on July 13, 1608

“Wm: Son of Robert Pharao of Shadwell minstrell” buried on

William Ingram 47

January 30, 1611 “Alice daughter ofRobert Pharoe of

Shadwell minstrill” christened on February 3,1611

“Anne daughter ofRobert Pharoe of shadwell musitione” christened on March 7,1613

PINE, William, minstrel/musician From the registers ofSt. Giles Cripple-

gate: “Sybbell daughter of William Pyne

mynstrell” christened on Decem- ber 24,1598

“Sybbell, daughter of Wylliam Pyne, musition” buried on Decem- ber 16, 1599


William Pynne appointed one of the Waits of London in 1594, a post he held until his death in 1613. [Cor- poration of London Record Of- fice, Repertory 23, f01.320~; Rep- ertory 31, fo1.3361

POSTELL, Robert, minstrel WILL: Robert Postell ofSt. Nicholas

Olave, minstrel. Will made April 17,1591, proved October 5,1591. Names wife Johan. [London Com- missary Court register, Guildhall, 9172/14E fo1.831

PRICE, Thomas, minstrel “Thomas Price and Suzan Davies”

married at St. Botolph Bishops- gate on May 1,1586

“John the sonne of Thomas Pryce mynstrell” christened at St. Giles Cripplegate on February 6,1597

“John the sonne of Thomas Pryce mynstrell” buried at St. Giles Crip- plegate on September 9,1598

PROTHERO, David, minstrel From the registers of St. Dunstan Step-

“Thomas sonne of Davith Aprotho- rough ofTenters minstrel1”chris-

ney:

tened on May 15,1604 “John sonne of Davith Aprotho-

rough ofTenters minstrel1”christened on November 13,1605

From the registers of St. Lawrence Poun tney:

“Thomas ye Sonne of david prothe- rough” christened on November 9, 1606

“Katherine the doughter off david protheroughe” christened on Nov- ember 20, 1608

“Sarah the daughtar ofdavid prothe- rough clothworker and barbara his wyffe” christened on August 16, 1618

RAFTON, Robert, minstrel “One of my felowes Robert Raugh-

ton” witnessed in 1552 the will of William Turke, minstrel, q.v.

From the registers of St. Stephen Cole- man Street:

“John Raffton the chylld of Robart Raffton” christened on November 16, 1567

“Nicholas Rafeton the Childe of Robert Rafeton” buried on July 26, 1569

“Bettris Raffeton the Childe of Robert Raffeton” christened on October 21, 1569

From the registers of All Hallows Lon- don Wall:

“Johan Rafton the wife of Robart Rafton” buried on July 28, 1572

“Robart Rafton and Agnis Taylor” married on February 6, 1574


“Agnis Raphton wife of Robert Raphton minstrell” buried on February 11, 1585

REVENE, George, musician’s apprentice?

George Revene Servant with wm warren Musician” buried at St.

I‘

48 English Literary Renaissance James Garlickhithe on June 3,1584

“marget ryppe the wife of willm ryppe mynstrell” buried at St. Margaret Lothbury on August 2, 1550

RIPPY, William, minstrel

RUSSELL, Robert, minstrel From the registers of St. Giles Cripple-

gate: “Harry Russell sonne of Robert Min-

strell” christened on September 23, 1582

“Joan Russell daughter of Roberte Russell minstrell” christened on January 25, 1585

“George Russell sonne of Roberte Russell minstrell” christened on June 26,1586

“George Russell sonne of Roberte Russell minstrell” buried on June 29, 1586

SAMPTON, Thomas, minstrel From the registers of various parishes:

“Agnes Sampton the daughter of Thomas Sampton” christened at St. Stephen Walbrook on August 18, 1566

“Katherin Sampton the daughter of Thomas Sampton” christened at St. Stephen Walbrook onOctober 5,1567

“Edmonde Sampton the sone of Thomas Sampton”christened at St. Giles Cripplegate on Septem- ber 29,1573

“Didimus Sampton sone of thomas sampton” christened at St. And- rew Holborn on April 19, 1574

“John Sampton sone of thomas sampton” christened at St. Andrew Holborn on May 8, 1580

“John Waynwright servant with Thomas Sampton mynstrell” buried at St. Giles Cripplegate on September 24, 1593

SHERMAN, James, minstrel

Will: James Sharman, citizen and musicioner of London, of St. Alphage Cripplegate parish. Will made February 9, 1610, proved November 24, 1610. Names children Thomas and Mary; leaves his two bass viols to his friend Row- land Rubbidge. [PRO, PCC 108 Wingfield, now PROB. 11/116 fol. 426rl

“James Sherman Cittizen and minstrell of London” named overseer of the will of Margaret Frith, widow of Richard Frith, minstrel, 4.v.

“Of mr Sheareman for his Buryall in thurch [sic] 14s 4d” [St. Alphage churchwardens’ accounts, Guild- hall, 1432/3, accounts March 1610 to March 16111

Other:

SHRIMPTON, Jerome, musician From the registers of St. Giles Cripple-

gate: George the sonne of J e rome Shrimpton musicion” christened on August 30, 1590

“John sonne of Jeromy Shrimton Taylor” christened on November 11, 1603

“Elizabeth daughter of Jeromy Shrimpton needlemaker” christened on September 16, 1604

Jane, daughter of Jeromy Shrimp- ton, nedlemaker” christened on May 29, 1606

“John sonne of Jeromy Shrimpton Needlmaker” christened on Sep- tember 17, 1619

“

“

SIMPSON, Robert, minstrel “Alice daughter ofRobert Simpsonn

of shadwell minstrill” christened at St. Dunstan Stepney on Febru- ary 2,1612

SLATER, John, minstrel/musician From the registers of St. Giles Cripple-

William Ingram 49

gate: “Thomas the sonne of John Slater,

mynstre1l”christened on March 5, 1589

“John the sonne of John Slawter mynstrell” christened on Febru- ary 10, 1591

“John the sonne of John Slater mynstrell” buried on July 24, 1592

“John the sonne ofJohn Slater musitian” christened on November 24, 1592

“Elizabeth Holland, servant with John Slater mynstrell” buried on July 13, 1593

Leonarde Aquyne, servant with John Slater mynstrell” buried on July 25, 1593

“John the sonne of John Slater mynstrell” buried on September 3 , 1593

“

SMITH, Gilbert, minstrel “Gylbarte smythe mynstrell” buried

at St. Stephen Coleman Street on November 16, 1558

SNAPE, Ralph, minstrel/musician From the registers of St. Nicholas Cole

Abbey: “Thomas ye Sonne of Ralph Snape

musition” christened on May 14, 1594

“Edwarde ye sonne of Ralph Snape” buried “in ye Cloyster” on Oc- tober 25, 1594

“Mary ye daughter of Ralph Snape ministerll” christened on June 6, 1596

“Ralfe ye sonne of Ralph Snape min- stri1l”christened on December 23, 1599

“Ralph Snape muzition” buried “in ye Cloyster neere farther end = P” [i.e., ofplague] onAugust22,1603

“Thomas ye sonne of Ralph Snape muzition” buried “in ye Cloister= P” [i.e., of plague] on September

5, 1603 “A still borne Childe of ye widdow

Snape” buried “in ye greene yeard” on April 28, 1604

STOKES, William, minstrel William Stokes of London, minstrel,

a t law against John Farmer in 1566 about a house in Northampton- shire. [PRO, REQ. 2/269/44]

From the registers of various parishes: “water stokes the sonne of William

stokes” christened at St. Dionis Backchurchon December 10,1541

“William stokes & margery browne” married at St. Michael Bassishaw on August 30, 1562

“ W i l l m Stokes Sone of wi l lm stockes” christened at St. James Clerkenwell on April 3, 1573

STRACHEY, Ralph, minstrel/musician


“Raphe Strechye sonne of Robert Strechye minstrell” christened on April 5, 1583

“Raphe Stretchey and Annes Thick- ens” married on June 11, 1604

“Jone, daughter ofRaphe Streatchie, mynstrell” christened on June 27, 1606

“Richard some of Ralph Strechy Mynstrell” christened on Novem- ber 25, 1607

“George sonne of Ralph Stretchie Musition” christened on Novem- ber 4, 1610

“Rose daughter of Ralph Strechy Musitian” christened on April 19, 1612

“Emme daughter of Ralph Stretchy Musitian” christened on June 5 , 1614

“Margaret dau: of Raph Strechy Musition” christened on April 21, 1616

50 English Literary Renaissance From the records of the Court of Alder-

men: Raph Strachie appointed one of the

City Waits in 1611, a post he had held unofficially since 1605. [Cor- poration of London Record Of- fice: Repertory27, fo1.66~; Reper- tory 30, f01.121; Repertory 32, fols.l79v, 2471

STRACHEY, Richard (#l) , musician From the records of the Court of Alder-

men: Richard Streache, one of the Waits

of London, pensioned on January 29, 1555 by the City because he had “become very weake syckelye and ympotente.” [Corporation of London Record Office, Repertory 13, fo1.255~1

STRACHEY, Richard (#2), musician From the registers of St. Giles Cripple-

gate: “Robert sonne of Richard Strechie

Musitian” christened on May 27, 1611

STRACHEY, Robert, minstrel/musician

WILL: Robert Strachey citizen and musician of London, of Red Cross Street in St. Giles Cripplegate parish. Will made June 25, 1616, prbved August 6, 1616. Names sons Richard, John, and Ralph; Ralph’s wife Anne; Richard’s daughter Emme. No wife. [PRO, PCC 86 Cope, now PROB. 11/128 fols. 157r-1581-1


“Hew Stretchie the sone of Robt Strechie” christened on May 17, 1573

“Richarde Strechie the sone of Ro- bart Strechie” christened on Nov- ember 21, 1574

“Jeremye Strechie the sone of Rob-

art Strechie”christened on Febru- ary 19, 1576

“williame Stretchey sonne of Rob- ert” christened on June 17, 1579

“Thomas Strechie sonne of Rbbert” christened on June 28, 1581

“Raphe Strechye sonne of Robert Strechye minstrell” christened on April 5, 1583

“Thomas Strechie sonne of Roberte Strechey minstrell” christened on January 24, 1585

“Robert Strecher Musitian” buried on July 19, 1616

From the records of the Carpenters’ Company, court of December 6, 1582: “John Griffin the yonger is admitted to have as his Apprentice Robert Strecher of the age of Fiften years the sone of Roberte Strecher citezen and Minstrel1 of London for the tearme of Nyne years begyninge at the feaste of S t Androw thapostle laste paste before the date heareof.’” Wardens’ account book 1573-1594, fo1.85~; Guildhall MS]


Robert Strachie appointed one of the Waits of London in 1563, a post he held until he was pensioned in 1616. [Corporation of London Record Office, Repertory 15, fo1.286~; Repertory 32, fol. 2471

“William Tatum sonne to William Tatum minstrel1”christened at St. Botolph Aldgate on February 11, 1596

TATUM, William, minstrel

THRUM, Penitent, musician “Dennis Thrum daughter to Penit-.

ent Thrum lute p1ayer”christened at St. Botolph Aldgate on May 8, 1597

TINDALL, Anthony, minstrel


“Elizabeth Tyndall ye daughter of Anthony tyndall” christened on August 1, 1563

“ffrauncys tyndall ye daughter of anthony tyndall” buried on Oc- tober 13, 1563

“Mary servant to anthony tyndall” buried on October 18, 1563

“Antonye Tyndale & Helene Wel- bie” married on August 14, 1585

“Elizabeth the wyfe of Anthony Tyndall mynstrell” buried on Sep- tember 12, 1593

“Joane Carver servant with Antho- nie Tyndall mynstrell” buried on September 24, 1593

“Grace Brace [sic], servant with Anthony Tyndall mynstrell” buried on October 27, 1593


Anthony Tindall appointed one of the Waits of London in 1557, a post he held until he was pensioned in 1597. [Corporation of London Record Office, Repertory 13, fol. 552v; Repertory 24, fol. 53v]

TOMSETT, Edward, minstrel From the registers of St. Giles Cripple-

gate: “Thomas Tomsett sonne of Edward

Tomsett minstrell” christened on July 19, 1588

“Thomas Tomsett sonne of Edward Tomsette minstrell” buried on July 21, 1588

“John the sonne of Edward Tompsett mynstrell” christened on September 3, 1589

“John the sonne of Edward Tomsett mynstrell” buried on May 21, 1590

“Edward Tomsett mynstrell, howsholder” buried on September 29,

William Ingram 51

1593 “Edward the sonne of Edward Tom-

sett mynstrell” christened on Dec- ember 16,1593

TROUT, John, musician “Elizabeth Trotte Daughter of John

Troute musitionn” christened at St. James Garlickhithe on September 22, 1577

TURKE, William, minstrel WILL: William Turke of St. Mary

Abchurch, freeman and minstrel of London. Will made January 28, 1552, proved June 18, 1552. Names wife Maudelyn, son William; wit- nesses include “one of my felowes Robert Raughton” q.v. [London Archdeaconry Cour t register, Guildhall, 9051/2 fol. 57v]

St. Mary Abchurch registers do not sur- vive from this date, so no record of his burial.

WAINWRIGHT, John, mins t re1 ’s apprentice?

“John Waynwright servant with Thomas Sampton mynstrell” buried at St. Giles Cripplegate on Sep- tember 24, 1593

WALLACE, Edward, minstrel/niusi- cian


“Mary daughter of Edwarde Wallys mynstrell” christened on July 23, 1592

“Mary daughter of Edward Wallys mynstrell” buried on September 17, 1594

“Jane, daughter of Edward Wallys, gent” christened on November 14, 1596

“Jane daughter of Edward Wallys musycion” buried on July 7, 1597

“William Norden servant with Hum- fry warren musicion” buried at St.

WARREN, Humphrey, musician

52 English Literary Renaissance James Garlickhithe on July 1,1579

“Robert Warrayne Musityon” buried at St. James Garlickhithe on Novem- ber 5, 1578

WARREN, Robert, musician

WARREN, Thomas, minstrel From the registers of St. Giles Cripple-

gate: “Jone Warryn the Daughter of Tho-

mas warryn” christened on Dec- ember 25, 1565

“Joane Waren the daughter of Thomas Waren” christened on August 26, 1571

“Joane Warren daughter of Thomas Waren minstrel1”christened on Feb- ruary 10, 1583

“Jane Waren daughter of Thomas Waren minstrell” buried on May 17, 1583

“Robert Waren sonne of Thomas Waren minstrell” christened on April 10, 1586

“Roberte Warren sonne of Thomas Warren minstrell” buried on Sep- tember 16, 1586

“Wal t e r the sonne of Thomas Warren mynstrell” buried on Aug- ust 15, 1593

“Richarde Warren sonne to Thomas Warren minstrell” christened on December 19, 1596

From the registers of St. Botolph Aldgate: “Roberte Warren sonne to Thomas

Warren minstrell” christened on February 7, 1599

“Suzan warrin daughter to Thomas Warrin a Minstrell” christened on February 27,1600

WARREN, William, musician From the registers of St. James Garlick-

hithe: “John Warren the sonne of William

warren musician” christened on July 1,1578

“John Warryne sonne of William

Warren musician” buried on July 2, 1578

“Henrye Warren sonne of Willyam Warren Musytion” christened on May 10, 1580

“Henry Warren the sonne of Willyam Warren Musytion” buried on May 12, 1580

“Joane Warryn the daughter of wylliam warryn musysion” christened on July 16, 1581

“Joane Warryn the daughter of wylliam warryn musysion” buried on July 17, 1581

“a Childe of William warren musicion” buried on October 5,1583

“George Revene Servant with wm warren Musician” buried on June 3, 1584

“Joyse Warren wyffe of William Warren Musician” buried on Febru- ary 2, 1585

WAYLET, Lupus, musician “Lupas Wayllett Citezine and Haber-

dasher of London And one of the Musicions to the Right Honorable the Lord Harrye Compton” buried at All Hallows London Wall on May 2,1577

WEBSTER, George, minstrel From the registers of St. Giles Cripple-

gate: “George Webstar & Margerye Beni-

fielde” married on May 21, 1587 “William Webstar sonne of George

Webstar minstrell” christened on March 10, 1588

“Sara daughter of George Webster mynstrell” christened on October 15, 1591

“Sara daughter of John [error for George?] Webster mynstrell” buried on July 22,1593

WHITE, John, minstrel From the registers of St. Giles Cripple-

gate:

53

“John White ye sone ofwilliam white” christened on March 28, 1562

“John white & Elinor Nortonne” married on October 18, 1584

“Edwarde White sonne of John White minstrell” christened on August 11, 1585

“Richarde White sonne of John White minstrell” christened on November 12, 1587

“Richarde the sonne of John White mynstrell” buried on August 8,1589

“Godfrey the sonne of John White mynstrell” christened on March 25, 1590

“John White mynstrell howsholder” buried on June 13,1590

“Godfrey the sonne of John White mynstrell” buried on April 4, 1592

“Sara daughter of William [error for John?] White mynstrell” buried on June 27, 1593

WILLIAMS, Ralph, minstrel [alias Mullins]

From the registers of St . Giles Cripple- gate:

“Thomas Willms sonne of Raphe Williams minstrell” christened on November 10, 1583

“Elizabeth Williams daughter of Raphe Williams minstrell” christened on June 22, 1586

“Wynifrate ye wyfe of Raphe Will- mson mynstrell” buried on Janu- ary 17, 1590

“Raphe Willyames and Annes Tho- mas” married on April 26, 1590

“Thomas the sonne of Raphe Willms mynstrell” buried on July 25, 1590

Marger i e daugh te r of Raphe Willms mynstrell” christened on June 6, 1592

“Margerie daughter ofRaphe Wyll- mson mynstrell” buried on April 20, 1593

“John the sonne of Raphe William-

“

son mynstrell” christened on March 6, 1594

“Alyce [blank] servant with Raph Wyllms mynstrell” buried on Janu- ary 1 1 , 1598

“Margerie daughter of Raphe Willi- amson mynstrell” christened on July 23, 1598

“Margerie daughter of Raphe Mull- ens alias willms” buried on Nov- ember 10, 1598

WILLIS, Thomas, minstrel From the registers of St. Stephen Cole-

man Street: “margery wyllis” buried on March

5, 1538 “Rychard wyllys” christened on

August 18, 1543 “Elizabeth Wylley” christened on

December 22, 1543 “Rychard Wyllys” buried on Janu-

ary 5, 1544 “George Wyllys” christened on June

28, 1545 “Elizabeth Wyllys” buried on June

28, 1545 “George Wyllys” buried on June 30,

1545 “Thomas wyllis” christened on Aug-

ust 21, 1548 “Thomas Wyllys” buried on Sep-

tember 4, 1548 “Johan wyllys the sonn,: of thomas

wyllys mynstrell” buried on July 9, 1551

WILSON, NICHOLAS, minstrel From the registers of St. Dunstan in the

East: “Nicholas Wilson & winifrey Sly-

ffer” married on May 2, 1562 From the registers ofSt. Giles Cripple-

gate: “Robert Wilson the sone of Nicholas

Wi1son”christened on July8,1572 “Thomas Willson the sone ofNicho-

las Willson” christened on March

54 English Literary Renaissance 28, 1574

“Roger Willson the sone of Nicholas Willson” christened on August 5 , 1575

“William Willson the sone of Nicho- las Willson” christened on Oc- tober 14, 1576

“Mary Wylson ye daughter ofNych- olas Wylson” christened on Oc- tober 12,1578

“Adam Wilson sonne of Nicolas wil-

sonne minstrell” christened on November 18,1582

“Mathew Wilsonn sonne of Nicolas Wilson” christened on January26, 1584

“John Wilson sonne of Nicolas Wil- son minstrell” buried on April 24, 1585

“Nicholas Wylson and Elizabeth Orton” married on November 12, 1593

minstrels in elizabethan london: who were they, what did they do?

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