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The Guitar in Tudor London

The Guitar in Tudor London

Paper given by Christopher Page

Delivered at Gresham College, London, on 11 October 2017

Few people now remember that the guitar was popular in England during the age of Queen Elizabeth and Shakespeare, and yet it was played everywhere from the royal court to the common tavern.

Few people now remember that the guitar was popular in England during the age of Queen Elizabeth and Shakespeare, and yet it was played everywhere from the royal court to the common tavern. In 1559 Queen Elizabeth herself received a case of three guitars as a New-Year’s day present. This opening lecture of the series, with musical illustrations, will use documents, poetry and images to bring the instrument to life, with a particular focus on the autobiography of the beguiling Tudor musician Thomas Whythorne.”}”>In 1559 Queen Elizabeth herself received a case of three guitars as a New-Year’s day present.

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This lecture, with musical illustrations, uses documents, poetry and images to bring the instrument to life, with a particular focus on the autobiography of the beguiling Tudor musician Thomas Whythorne.

Christopher Page is Professor of Medieval Music and Literature, a Fellow of the British Academy and a Fellow at Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge.

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Click here for a transcript and downloadable version of this lecture

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