Francis Pilkington facts for kids
Francis Pilkington (born around 1565 – died 1638) was an English musician from a long time ago. He was a talented classical composer, a lutenist (someone who plays the lute), and a singer. He lived during two important periods in music history: the Renaissance and the Baroque eras.
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Who Was Francis Pilkington?
Francis Pilkington was born in England around the year 1565. Not much is known about his early life. He became a well-known musician during a time when music was changing a lot.
His Education and Early Career
Pilkington was a very smart student. He earned a special music degree, called a Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.), from the famous Oxford University in 1595. This was a big achievement for a musician in his time.
Working at Chester Cathedral
In 1602, Pilkington started working at Chester Cathedral. A cathedral is a very large and important church. He began as a "singing man," which meant he was a member of the choir. He spent the rest of his life working there.
- In 1612, he became a "minor canon." This is a type of priest who helps with church services.
- In 1614, he "took holy orders," meaning he officially became a priest.
- By 1623, he was named the "precentor" of the cathedral. The precentor was in charge of all the music and singing in the church. It was a very important job!
What Kind of Music Did He Write?
Even though Francis Pilkington worked for the church, most of the music he wrote was "secular." This means it was music not meant for church services. Instead, it was for entertainment or everyday life.
Types of Secular Music
Pilkington was known for composing several kinds of popular secular music:
- Ayres: These were songs for one voice, often with a lute playing along. An ayre usually told a story or expressed a feeling.
- Madrigals: These were songs for several voices, usually without instruments. Madrigals were very popular in England during this time. They often had playful or romantic lyrics.
- Lute Songs: As a lutenist, Pilkington also wrote many lute songs. These were songs where the lute (a stringed instrument similar to a guitar) played a very important part, often as important as the singer's voice.
Francis Pilkington died in Chester in 1638, leaving behind a wonderful collection of music.
