Thomas Morley
(c. 1557 -- 1602)



Thomas Morley was as skilled an entrepreneur and businessman 
as he was a composer. He was born in Norwich in 1557 or 1558, 
the son of a brewer, and probably received his earliest musical 
education as a chorister at Norwich Cathedral. He became 
organist of the cathedral in 1583, graduated BMus at Oxford 
in 1588, by 1589 was organist of St Paul's Cathedral in London, 
and from 1592 was a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal.

Morley crowned his career by editing the famous Triumphs of Oriana 
in 1601. This was the culmination of the cult of the Queen in 
music, celebrating her victories over all her enemies (the last 
of them being Essex). The idea was derived from the Venetian Il 
Trionfo di Dori of some years before. Twenty leading composers 
and amateurs joined together to do honor to the famous old lady 
(who had been such a good friend to music). Verses were set, 
each ending with the refrain:

"Then sang the shepherds and nymphs of Diana: 'Long live fair Oriana.'"

Some composers were late with their contributions, which appear 
elsewhere; Morley and Ellis Gibbons filled in with two each. Among 
those who appear are Weelkes, Wilbye, Tomkins,John Mundy, 
Robert Jones.




excerpted from:
(http://www.hoasm.org/IVM/Englandthru1635.html)
My thanks to Chris Whent for his outstanding site and pages 
of information which I absolutely recommend to the reader, 
as well as for his radio programme, likewise recommended.