Robert Wylkynson facts for kids
Robert Wylkynson (sometimes spelled Wilkinson) was a talented English composer who lived a long time ago, from around 1450 until after 1515. He was one of the important musicians whose work is found in the famous Eton Choirbook. This book is a huge collection of music from the late 1400s and early 1500s.
Wylkynson started working at Eton College in 1496 as a parish clerk. This job involved helping with church services. By 1500, he was promoted to Informator. This meant he became the master of the choristers, teaching and leading the young singers in the choir.
Wylkynson's Music
Even though Robert Wylkynson was a very skilled composer, only a few of his musical pieces have survived over the centuries. These pieces show that he was very creative and good at writing music.
Here are the works of his that we still know about:
- Two versions of a song called Salve Regina. This is a Latin hymn often sung in churches.
- A long and complex piece named "Jesus autem transiens/Credo in Deum à 13". This means it was written for 13 different voices singing together!
- A small part of a motet called O virgo prudentissima. A motet is a type of choral music, usually sacred, sung without instruments.
These surviving pieces prove that Wylkynson was a very ambitious composer. He was also more than capable of creating beautiful and complex music.
