Edward Gibbons facts for kids

The organ at Exeter Cathedral, which Gibbons may have played

Edward Gibbons (born around 21 March 1568 – died before July 1650) was an English choirmaster and composer from the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. He was born in Cambridge.

Not much is known about Edward Gibbons's early life. He later earned degrees from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford. From 1591/92 to 1598, he worked at King's College, Cambridge, as a church clerk and choirmaster. During this time, he married Jane, and they had six children.

For a few years, it's not clear where Gibbons lived. He might have been in Acton, Bristol, or Exeter. But by 1607, he was the choirmaster at Exeter Cathedral. One of his students there was Matthew Locke, who also became a famous composer.

Around 1609, Gibbons was allowed to become a vicar (a type of priest). He became the head of the college of priest-vicars and a succentor (a church official who helps the choirmaster). Jane, his first wife, died in 1628. Edward then married Mary Bluet. During the English Civil War, his family was forced to leave their home, but they moved to their estate in Dunsford.

Edward Gibbons wrote a few musical pieces that still exist today. These include an organ prelude, two verse anthems (songs for choir and soloists), two pieces for viol consorts (groups of string instruments), and some sacred music (religious music). People often praise his verse anthems, especially How hath ye City sate solitary. This piece was likely written about the bubonic plague in London in 1603, which may have caused the death of his brother, Ellis Gibbons.

Edward was the older brother of the more famous composer, Orlando Gibbons. After Orlando and his wife died young, Edward took care of their son, Christopher, who also became a well-known composer.

Life and Career

Early Life and Education

Edward Gibbons was born in Cambridge to William and Mary Gibbons. He was baptized on 21 March 1568 at Church of St Mary the Great, Cambridge. At that time, babies were often baptized very soon after birth, so he was likely born just before that date.

Edward was the first son in a musical family. His father, William, was a musician in Cambridge. His brother Ellis, born in 1573, also became a composer. Another brother, Ferdinando, born in 1581/82, took over their father's musical role. The most famous musician in the family, Orlando, was born in 1583 in Oxford.

We don't know much about Edward Gibbons's childhood education. However, he later became a choirmaster, which means he must have learned music skills when he was younger.

In 1592, he earned a music degree from the University of Cambridge and then from the University of Oxford. From March 1591/92 until late 1598, he worked as a church clerk at King's College, Cambridge. He was also the choirmaster there, taking over from Thomas Hammond. His younger brother Orlando was a choirboy at King's College during some of this time.

By 1596, Edward married Jane, who was a wealthy woman. They had six children: Robert, Mary, Jane, Joan, William, and Murrey.

Time in Exeter

The choir of Exeter Cathedral, where Gibbons taught students for many years

After 1598, Edward Gibbons's exact location is not clear for a few years. Some old stories say he was an organist at Bristol Cathedral, but modern experts don't believe this because there are no records of him there.

We know for sure that Gibbons was living in Exeter by 1607, because his son William was baptized there. His mother died in 1603, and his brother Ellis died two months later. Ellis's will mentioned Edward as being "of Acton," which might have been Acton, London. However, it's possible this was a mistake and meant "Exeter," suggesting he might have moved to Exeter as early as 1603.

A bishop named William Cotton became the Bishop of Exeter in 1598. It's thought that Cotton encouraged Gibbons to come to Exeter Cathedral around that time. This would mean Gibbons moved to Exeter right after leaving King's College in 1598.

From June 1608, Gibbons taught the choirboys at Exeter Cathedral. He shared his salary with the organist, John Lugge. From 1638 to 1641, and possibly earlier, the future composer Matthew Locke was one of his students.

On 8 August 1609, Gibbons became a vicar for Exeter. A vicar is a type of parish priest. Because he wasn't a priest by training, he needed special permission. This permission described him as having "unmatched skill and skill in music and singing." Gibbons might have gotten this job because of his connection to Bishop Cotton.

By 1614, Gibbons became the head of the college of priest-vicars. By 1615, he was also a succentor, a church official who helps lead the choir and services. As succentor, he might have played the organ during church services.

In 1625, Edward's brother Orlando died, and Orlando's wife died the next year. Edward and Jane took on the responsibility of raising Orlando's children, including Christopher Gibbons, who also became a composer. Christopher continued his music studies with Edward and may have played the organ at Exeter Cathedral.

Jane, Edward's first wife, died in 1628. Edward then married Mary Bluet, who was also wealthy. During the English Civil War, Edward and his family were forced out of their home because he refused to pay a large sum of money to the Parliament. However, Gibbons owned an estate in Dunsford, where his family then lived.

The last records of him being paid by the cathedral are from 1644/45. We don't know exactly when or how he died, but it was before July 1650. We also don't know where he was buried.

Music

Edward Gibbons didn't have many musical pieces that survived, but the ones that did include songs for voices, instrumental music, and keyboard music. His music is described as "competent, and occasionally moving."

His only keyboard piece is a short Prelude in D minor for the organ. A composer named Thomas Tudway said it was played "before ye Anthem," meaning it was likely played before the main choir song during church services.

One of his most famous pieces is the verse anthem How hath ye City sate solitary. This piece is for two alto soloists, a choir, and a small group of instruments. The words for this song are from the Bible, and they talk about a city being lonely. Since the song mentions "the late plague," it was probably written after a serious outbreak of the bubonic plague. If it was written after the 1603 plague in London, it might have been about his brother Ellis, who died that year. This anthem is considered very touching.

Besides this anthem, Gibbons also wrote religious music called 'Commandments and Creed' and a Credo for five solo singers. He also wrote a short three-part verse anthem called Awake and arise.

His two surviving instrumental pieces are Nomine and What Strikes the Clocke?. Nomine is for five viols (old string instruments), and What Strikes the Clocke? is for three viols. These pieces are described as well-made. What Strikes the Clocke? is similar to other clock-themed songs from that time, where a line counts the hours.

Edward Gibbons's brother Ellis wrote two madrigals (songs for several voices) for a famous collection called The Triumphs of Oriana. It's not clear why Ellis contributed more than one song, as most composers only contributed one. Some experts have wondered if Edward actually wrote one of these songs, but there's no strong proof.

Some of Edward Gibbons's music has been recorded by modern groups. For example, the recorder quintet Seldom Sene recorded What Strikes the Clocke?, and Consortium5 recorded Nomine.

Works