John Taverner 1495 -1545

English choral composer and organist.  Born in Boston Lincolnshire, he became a chorister at Tattershall, near Lincoln and by 1524 was the choirmaster there. Came to the attention of Wolsey and was brought over to be the Organist of the newly incorporated Cardinal College Oxford (later Christchurch), a post he held 1525-30, and for which he was paid £10 per year. He became caught up in the rise of Lutherism which was rife in the College and was imprisoned for heresy in 1528.  His crime was hiding heretical books under the floorboards of the choir school.  The Cardinal didn't press charges, saying that 'he is but a musician'. He publicly regretted having made 'songs to popish ditties'. Gave up music in 1530 and became an agent for Cromwell in the supression of the monastries, under Henry VIII.

Composed 'popish ditties' to Latin texts, 8 masses, including his famous 'Western Wind' mass - based as were many masses on a 'parody' of a popular song 'The Western Wynde'.  His mass Gloria Tibi Trinitas was the fount of the English 'In nomine' movement: so called because the instrumental compositions of Taverner, called 'In nomine' are transcripts of the passage in the Benedictus of the Mass which sets the words In nomine Domine.  Also wrote 3 magnificats and several motets.