Hugh Aston (also spelled Asseton, Assheton, Ashton, Haston; c. 1485 – buried 17 November 1558) was an English composer of the early Tudor period. While little of his music survives, he is notable for his innovative keyboard and church music writing. He was also politically active, a mayor, Member of Parliament, and Alderman.
Music career
Little is known about the early life of this important early Tudor composer, and his date and place of birth are currently unknown. However, on 27 November 1510 he supplicated for the degree of BMus at Oxford University, proposing for his examination an oration on the volumes of Boethius, and the submission (and performance) of a mass and an antiphon. He stated that he had studied music in the University Music School for eight years (suggesting that he must have been in his mid-20s by that date, hence the estimated date of birth of around 1485). Presumably his study of Boethius was of the 6th century philosopher's De Institutione Musica which had been published in Venice in 1491 and 1492 (one of the first musical works to be published). The University records show that his examination was successful, and the University ordered that the University Proctors supervising the examination should retain the two manuscripts. It seems most likely that these were Aston's five part Missa Te Deum Laudamus and the clearly associated antiphon Te Deum Laudamus. Though the original manuscripts are not in Music School archives today, excellent early copies of ca. 1528-30 almost certainly made for Cardinal's College (now Christ Church) Oxford are in the Forrest-Heather Part Books now in the Bodleian Library, Oxford.
William Byrd (/bɜːrd/; birth date variously given as c.1539/40 or 1543 – 4 July 1623, by the Julian calendar, 14 July 1623, by the Gregorian calendar) was an English composer of the Renaissance. He wrote in many of the forms current in England at the time, including various types of sacred and secular polyphony, keyboard (the so-called Virginalist school), and consort music. He produced sacred music for use in Anglican services, although he himself became a Roman Catholic in later life and wrote Catholic sacred music as well.
Birth and origins
Thanks largely to the research of John Harley, knowledge of Byrd's biography has expanded in recent years. According to Harley, Thomas Byrd, the grandson of Richard Byrd of Ingatestone, Essex, probably moved to London in the 15th century. Thereafter succeeding generations of the family are described as gentlemen. William Byrd was born in London, the son of another Thomas Byrd about whom nothing further is known, and his wife, Margery. The specific year of Byrd's birth is uncertain. In his will, dated 15 November 1622, he describes himself as "in the 80th year of my age", suggesting a birthdate of 1542 or 1543. However a document dated 2 October 1598 written in his own hand states that he is "58 yeares or ther abouts", indicating an earlier birthdate of 1539 or 1540. Byrd had two brothers, Symond and John, who became London merchants, and four sisters, Alice, Barbara, Mary, and Martha.
Aston was first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086 as "Estone", having a mill, a priest and therefore probably a church, woodland and ploughland. The Church of SS Peter & Paul, Aston was built in medieval times to replace an earlier church. The body of the church was rebuilt by J. A. Chatwin during the period 1879 to 1890; the 15th century tower and spire, which was partly rebuilt in 1776, being the only survivors of the medieval building.
The ancient parish of Aston (known as Aston juxta Birmingham) was large. It was separated from the parish of Birmingham by AB Row, which currently exists in the Eastside of the city at just 50 yards in length. It was partly included in the borough of Birmingham in 1838, and a further part, Saltley was added in 1891.
William Byrd
Work: The Battell
Orchestra: Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
Conductor: Elgar Howarth
published: 07 Apr 2013
William Byrd: Mass for 4 Voices, The King's Singers
William Byrd: Mass for 4 Voices
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_byrd
Scores: http://www0.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Mass_for_Four_Voices_(William_Byrd)
Mass for 4 Voices:
01 Kyrie - 0:00
02 Gloria - 1:55
03 Credo - 7:52
04 Sanctus/Benedictus - 15:50
05 Agnus Dei - 19:44
published: 06 May 2013
The Three Masses. William Byrd (1542 - 1623)
William Byrd (1542 - 1623). The Three Masses
Mass For Five Voices
* Kyrie
* Gloria
* Credo
* Sanctus
* Benedictus
* Agnus Dei
Mass For Four Voices
* Kyrie
* Gloria
* Credo
* Sanctus
* Benedictus
* Agnus Dei
Mass For Three Voices
* Kyrie
* Gloria
* Credo
* Sanctus
* Benedictus
* Agnus Dei
* Ave Verum Corpus
– Alison Gough, soprano
- Sally Dunkley, soprano
– Michael Chance, countertenor
- Robert Harre-Jones, countertenor
– Charles Daniels, tenor
- Mark Padmore, tenor
- Nicolas Robertson, tenor
- Rufus Müller, tenor
– Francis Steele, bass
- Jeremy White, bass
The Tallis Scholars
Peter Phillips
published: 06 Jun 2020
William Byrd - Ave verum corpus - The Sixteen
Ave, verum corpus natum
ex Maria Virgine:
vere passum, immolatum
in cruce pro homine:
cuius latus perforatum
unda fluxit et sanguine:
esto nobis praegustatum,
in mortis examine.
O dulcis, O pie, O Jesu, Fili Mariae.
Miserere mei. Amen.
*----------*----------*
Hail the true body, born
of the Virgin Mary:
You who truly suffered and were sacrificed
on the cross for the sake of man.
From whose pierced flank
flowed water and blood:
Be a foretaste for us
in the trial of death.
[O sweet, O merciful, O Jesus, Son of Mary.]
[Have mercy on me. Amen.]
*-----------*-----------*
Salve, verdadero cuerpo,
nacido de María Virgen,
que fue inmolado en la cruz
por los hombres,
cuyo lado perforado
manó sangre y agua,
dejanos degustarte
en el trance de la muerte.
http://www.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Ave_v...
published: 14 Apr 2012
Five Easter Motets - William Byrd | Ars Nova Copenhagen
William Byrd's five Easter motets performed at Trinitatis Kirke in Copenhagen for the Easter of 2021. Ars Nova Copenhagen conducted by Paul Hillier.
Resurrexi 0:00
Haec Dies 5:30
Victimae Paschali 9:14
Terra tremuit 15:07
Pascha Nostrum 16:00
Sound by Danish Radio P2
Video by Julie Malmstrøm
Edition by David Fraser
Source: William Byrd: Gradualia, seu cantionum sacrarum... Liber secundus (1st edition, 1607, 2nd edition, 1610)
This video is a re-upload of the video available for Easterday 2021.
published: 19 Apr 2021
William Byrd Consort Songs & Music for Viols, Gerard Lesne
William Byrd Consort Songs & Music for Viols
1. O Lord, within thy tabernacle 0:00
2. In Nomine à 5 (I) 4:16
3. Quis me statim 7:24
4. In Nomine à 5 (IV) 10:22
5. With lilies white (An elegy for Lady Magdalen Montague, d.1608) 13:12
6. Fantasia à 5 18:04
7. Wretched Albinus (Upon the fall of the Earl of Essex, 1601) 24:56
8. In Nomine à 5 (II) 27:50
9. Blame I confess 31:15
10. Prelude and ground à 5 33:59
11. Ye sacred Muses (An elegy for Thomas Tallis, d.23 November 1585 39:54
12. In Nomine à 5 (V) 43:34
13. Rejoice unto the Lord (In honour of Queen Elizabeth I, 1586) 46:40
14. Browning à 5 50:00
15. Fair Britain Isle (Elegy for Henry, Prince of Wales, d.1612) 54:25
16. In Nomine à 5 (III) 1:00:35
Gerard Lesne Alto
Wieland Kuijken Viola da Gamba
Ensemble Orlando Gibbons
published: 09 Nov 2015
VOCES8: 'Ne Irascaris Domine' & 'Civitas Sancti Tui' by William Byrd
VOCES8 performs William Byrd’s double motet ‘Ne Irascaris Domine’ and ‘Civitas Sancti Tui’ in the Gresham Centre in London.
Audio available at https://orcd.co/end4pyk
Text
Ne irascaris, Domine, satis
et ne ultra memineris iniquitatis nostrae.
Ecce, respice, populus tuus omnes nos.
Civitas sancti tui facta est deserta.
Sion deserta facta est, Jerusalem desolata est.
(Isaiah 64 v. 9)
Translation
Be not angry, O Lord, still,
neither remember our iniquity for ever.
Behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.
The holy cities are a wilderness.
Sion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
published: 15 Apr 2019
Ave verum corpus I William Byrd I Ensemble ZENE
Ave Verum Corpus I William Byrd
Ensemble ZENE I Direction: Bruno Kele-Baujard
The CD is available on our website:
https://www.ensemblezene.com/online-store/VIA-DOLOROSA-p137418940
published: 01 Nov 2016
Who was William Byrd?
Byrd: Motets – listen here: http://smarturl.it/byrdmotets
Professor Iain Fenlon, King's College Cambridge, talks about the life of the English Renaissance composer William Byrd.
William Byrd: Mass for 4 Voices
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_byrd
Scores: http://www0.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Mass_for_Four_Voices_(William_Byrd)
Ma...
William Byrd: Mass for 4 Voices
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_byrd
Scores: http://www0.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Mass_for_Four_Voices_(William_Byrd)
Mass for 4 Voices:
01 Kyrie - 0:00
02 Gloria - 1:55
03 Credo - 7:52
04 Sanctus/Benedictus - 15:50
05 Agnus Dei - 19:44
William Byrd (1542 - 1623). The Three Masses
Mass For Five Voices
* Kyrie
* Gloria
* Credo
* Sanctus
* Benedictus
* Agnus Dei
Mass For Four Voices
* Kyrie
* ...
William Byrd (1542 - 1623). The Three Masses
Mass For Five Voices
* Kyrie
* Gloria
* Credo
* Sanctus
* Benedictus
* Agnus Dei
Mass For Four Voices
* Kyrie
* Gloria
* Credo
* Sanctus
* Benedictus
* Agnus Dei
Mass For Three Voices
* Kyrie
* Gloria
* Credo
* Sanctus
* Benedictus
* Agnus Dei
* Ave Verum Corpus
– Alison Gough, soprano
- Sally Dunkley, soprano
– Michael Chance, countertenor
- Robert Harre-Jones, countertenor
– Charles Daniels, tenor
- Mark Padmore, tenor
- Nicolas Robertson, tenor
- Rufus Müller, tenor
– Francis Steele, bass
- Jeremy White, bass
The Tallis Scholars
Peter Phillips
William Byrd (1542 - 1623). The Three Masses
Mass For Five Voices
* Kyrie
* Gloria
* Credo
* Sanctus
* Benedictus
* Agnus Dei
Mass For Four Voices
* Kyrie
* Gloria
* Credo
* Sanctus
* Benedictus
* Agnus Dei
Mass For Three Voices
* Kyrie
* Gloria
* Credo
* Sanctus
* Benedictus
* Agnus Dei
* Ave Verum Corpus
– Alison Gough, soprano
- Sally Dunkley, soprano
– Michael Chance, countertenor
- Robert Harre-Jones, countertenor
– Charles Daniels, tenor
- Mark Padmore, tenor
- Nicolas Robertson, tenor
- Rufus Müller, tenor
– Francis Steele, bass
- Jeremy White, bass
The Tallis Scholars
Peter Phillips
Ave, verum corpus natum
ex Maria Virgine:
vere passum, immolatum
in cruce pro homine:
cuius latus perforatum
unda fluxit et sanguine:
esto nobis praegustatum,
i...
Ave, verum corpus natum
ex Maria Virgine:
vere passum, immolatum
in cruce pro homine:
cuius latus perforatum
unda fluxit et sanguine:
esto nobis praegustatum,
in mortis examine.
O dulcis, O pie, O Jesu, Fili Mariae.
Miserere mei. Amen.
*----------*----------*
Hail the true body, born
of the Virgin Mary:
You who truly suffered and were sacrificed
on the cross for the sake of man.
From whose pierced flank
flowed water and blood:
Be a foretaste for us
in the trial of death.
[O sweet, O merciful, O Jesus, Son of Mary.]
[Have mercy on me. Amen.]
*-----------*-----------*
Salve, verdadero cuerpo,
nacido de María Virgen,
que fue inmolado en la cruz
por los hombres,
cuyo lado perforado
manó sangre y agua,
dejanos degustarte
en el trance de la muerte.
http://www.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Ave_verum_corpus
Ave, verum corpus natum
ex Maria Virgine:
vere passum, immolatum
in cruce pro homine:
cuius latus perforatum
unda fluxit et sanguine:
esto nobis praegustatum,
in mortis examine.
O dulcis, O pie, O Jesu, Fili Mariae.
Miserere mei. Amen.
*----------*----------*
Hail the true body, born
of the Virgin Mary:
You who truly suffered and were sacrificed
on the cross for the sake of man.
From whose pierced flank
flowed water and blood:
Be a foretaste for us
in the trial of death.
[O sweet, O merciful, O Jesus, Son of Mary.]
[Have mercy on me. Amen.]
*-----------*-----------*
Salve, verdadero cuerpo,
nacido de María Virgen,
que fue inmolado en la cruz
por los hombres,
cuyo lado perforado
manó sangre y agua,
dejanos degustarte
en el trance de la muerte.
http://www.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Ave_verum_corpus
William Byrd's five Easter motets performed at Trinitatis Kirke in Copenhagen for the Easter of 2021. Ars Nova Copenhagen conducted by Paul Hillier.
Resurrexi...
William Byrd's five Easter motets performed at Trinitatis Kirke in Copenhagen for the Easter of 2021. Ars Nova Copenhagen conducted by Paul Hillier.
Resurrexi 0:00
Haec Dies 5:30
Victimae Paschali 9:14
Terra tremuit 15:07
Pascha Nostrum 16:00
Sound by Danish Radio P2
Video by Julie Malmstrøm
Edition by David Fraser
Source: William Byrd: Gradualia, seu cantionum sacrarum... Liber secundus (1st edition, 1607, 2nd edition, 1610)
This video is a re-upload of the video available for Easterday 2021.
William Byrd's five Easter motets performed at Trinitatis Kirke in Copenhagen for the Easter of 2021. Ars Nova Copenhagen conducted by Paul Hillier.
Resurrexi 0:00
Haec Dies 5:30
Victimae Paschali 9:14
Terra tremuit 15:07
Pascha Nostrum 16:00
Sound by Danish Radio P2
Video by Julie Malmstrøm
Edition by David Fraser
Source: William Byrd: Gradualia, seu cantionum sacrarum... Liber secundus (1st edition, 1607, 2nd edition, 1610)
This video is a re-upload of the video available for Easterday 2021.
William Byrd Consort Songs & Music for Viols
1. O Lord, within thy tabernacle 0:00
2. In Nomine à 5 (I) 4:16
3. Quis me statim 7:24
4. In Nomine à 5 (IV) 10...
William Byrd Consort Songs & Music for Viols
1. O Lord, within thy tabernacle 0:00
2. In Nomine à 5 (I) 4:16
3. Quis me statim 7:24
4. In Nomine à 5 (IV) 10:22
5. With lilies white (An elegy for Lady Magdalen Montague, d.1608) 13:12
6. Fantasia à 5 18:04
7. Wretched Albinus (Upon the fall of the Earl of Essex, 1601) 24:56
8. In Nomine à 5 (II) 27:50
9. Blame I confess 31:15
10. Prelude and ground à 5 33:59
11. Ye sacred Muses (An elegy for Thomas Tallis, d.23 November 1585 39:54
12. In Nomine à 5 (V) 43:34
13. Rejoice unto the Lord (In honour of Queen Elizabeth I, 1586) 46:40
14. Browning à 5 50:00
15. Fair Britain Isle (Elegy for Henry, Prince of Wales, d.1612) 54:25
16. In Nomine à 5 (III) 1:00:35
Gerard Lesne Alto
Wieland Kuijken Viola da Gamba
Ensemble Orlando Gibbons
William Byrd Consort Songs & Music for Viols
1. O Lord, within thy tabernacle 0:00
2. In Nomine à 5 (I) 4:16
3. Quis me statim 7:24
4. In Nomine à 5 (IV) 10:22
5. With lilies white (An elegy for Lady Magdalen Montague, d.1608) 13:12
6. Fantasia à 5 18:04
7. Wretched Albinus (Upon the fall of the Earl of Essex, 1601) 24:56
8. In Nomine à 5 (II) 27:50
9. Blame I confess 31:15
10. Prelude and ground à 5 33:59
11. Ye sacred Muses (An elegy for Thomas Tallis, d.23 November 1585 39:54
12. In Nomine à 5 (V) 43:34
13. Rejoice unto the Lord (In honour of Queen Elizabeth I, 1586) 46:40
14. Browning à 5 50:00
15. Fair Britain Isle (Elegy for Henry, Prince of Wales, d.1612) 54:25
16. In Nomine à 5 (III) 1:00:35
Gerard Lesne Alto
Wieland Kuijken Viola da Gamba
Ensemble Orlando Gibbons
VOCES8 performs William Byrd’s double motet ‘Ne Irascaris Domine’ and ‘Civitas Sancti Tui’ in the Gresham Centre in London.
Audio available at https://orcd.co/...
VOCES8 performs William Byrd’s double motet ‘Ne Irascaris Domine’ and ‘Civitas Sancti Tui’ in the Gresham Centre in London.
Audio available at https://orcd.co/end4pyk
Text
Ne irascaris, Domine, satis
et ne ultra memineris iniquitatis nostrae.
Ecce, respice, populus tuus omnes nos.
Civitas sancti tui facta est deserta.
Sion deserta facta est, Jerusalem desolata est.
(Isaiah 64 v. 9)
Translation
Be not angry, O Lord, still,
neither remember our iniquity for ever.
Behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.
The holy cities are a wilderness.
Sion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
VOCES8 performs William Byrd’s double motet ‘Ne Irascaris Domine’ and ‘Civitas Sancti Tui’ in the Gresham Centre in London.
Audio available at https://orcd.co/end4pyk
Text
Ne irascaris, Domine, satis
et ne ultra memineris iniquitatis nostrae.
Ecce, respice, populus tuus omnes nos.
Civitas sancti tui facta est deserta.
Sion deserta facta est, Jerusalem desolata est.
(Isaiah 64 v. 9)
Translation
Be not angry, O Lord, still,
neither remember our iniquity for ever.
Behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.
The holy cities are a wilderness.
Sion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
Ave Verum Corpus I William Byrd
Ensemble ZENE I Direction: Bruno Kele-Baujard
The CD is available on our website:
https://www.ensemblezene.com/online-store/VI...
Ave Verum Corpus I William Byrd
Ensemble ZENE I Direction: Bruno Kele-Baujard
The CD is available on our website:
https://www.ensemblezene.com/online-store/VIA-DOLOROSA-p137418940
Ave Verum Corpus I William Byrd
Ensemble ZENE I Direction: Bruno Kele-Baujard
The CD is available on our website:
https://www.ensemblezene.com/online-store/VIA-DOLOROSA-p137418940
Byrd: Motets – listen here: http://smarturl.it/byrdmotets
Professor Iain Fenlon, King's College Cambridge, talks about the life of the English Renaissance comp...
Byrd: Motets – listen here: http://smarturl.it/byrdmotets
Professor Iain Fenlon, King's College Cambridge, talks about the life of the English Renaissance composer William Byrd.
Byrd: Motets – listen here: http://smarturl.it/byrdmotets
Professor Iain Fenlon, King's College Cambridge, talks about the life of the English Renaissance composer William Byrd.
William Byrd (1542 - 1623). The Three Masses
Mass For Five Voices
* Kyrie
* Gloria
* Credo
* Sanctus
* Benedictus
* Agnus Dei
Mass For Four Voices
* Kyrie
* Gloria
* Credo
* Sanctus
* Benedictus
* Agnus Dei
Mass For Three Voices
* Kyrie
* Gloria
* Credo
* Sanctus
* Benedictus
* Agnus Dei
* Ave Verum Corpus
– Alison Gough, soprano
- Sally Dunkley, soprano
– Michael Chance, countertenor
- Robert Harre-Jones, countertenor
– Charles Daniels, tenor
- Mark Padmore, tenor
- Nicolas Robertson, tenor
- Rufus Müller, tenor
– Francis Steele, bass
- Jeremy White, bass
The Tallis Scholars
Peter Phillips
Ave, verum corpus natum
ex Maria Virgine:
vere passum, immolatum
in cruce pro homine:
cuius latus perforatum
unda fluxit et sanguine:
esto nobis praegustatum,
in mortis examine.
O dulcis, O pie, O Jesu, Fili Mariae.
Miserere mei. Amen.
*----------*----------*
Hail the true body, born
of the Virgin Mary:
You who truly suffered and were sacrificed
on the cross for the sake of man.
From whose pierced flank
flowed water and blood:
Be a foretaste for us
in the trial of death.
[O sweet, O merciful, O Jesus, Son of Mary.]
[Have mercy on me. Amen.]
*-----------*-----------*
Salve, verdadero cuerpo,
nacido de María Virgen,
que fue inmolado en la cruz
por los hombres,
cuyo lado perforado
manó sangre y agua,
dejanos degustarte
en el trance de la muerte.
http://www.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Ave_verum_corpus
William Byrd's five Easter motets performed at Trinitatis Kirke in Copenhagen for the Easter of 2021. Ars Nova Copenhagen conducted by Paul Hillier.
Resurrexi 0:00
Haec Dies 5:30
Victimae Paschali 9:14
Terra tremuit 15:07
Pascha Nostrum 16:00
Sound by Danish Radio P2
Video by Julie Malmstrøm
Edition by David Fraser
Source: William Byrd: Gradualia, seu cantionum sacrarum... Liber secundus (1st edition, 1607, 2nd edition, 1610)
This video is a re-upload of the video available for Easterday 2021.
William Byrd Consort Songs & Music for Viols
1. O Lord, within thy tabernacle 0:00
2. In Nomine à 5 (I) 4:16
3. Quis me statim 7:24
4. In Nomine à 5 (IV) 10:22
5. With lilies white (An elegy for Lady Magdalen Montague, d.1608) 13:12
6. Fantasia à 5 18:04
7. Wretched Albinus (Upon the fall of the Earl of Essex, 1601) 24:56
8. In Nomine à 5 (II) 27:50
9. Blame I confess 31:15
10. Prelude and ground à 5 33:59
11. Ye sacred Muses (An elegy for Thomas Tallis, d.23 November 1585 39:54
12. In Nomine à 5 (V) 43:34
13. Rejoice unto the Lord (In honour of Queen Elizabeth I, 1586) 46:40
14. Browning à 5 50:00
15. Fair Britain Isle (Elegy for Henry, Prince of Wales, d.1612) 54:25
16. In Nomine à 5 (III) 1:00:35
Gerard Lesne Alto
Wieland Kuijken Viola da Gamba
Ensemble Orlando Gibbons
VOCES8 performs William Byrd’s double motet ‘Ne Irascaris Domine’ and ‘Civitas Sancti Tui’ in the Gresham Centre in London.
Audio available at https://orcd.co/end4pyk
Text
Ne irascaris, Domine, satis
et ne ultra memineris iniquitatis nostrae.
Ecce, respice, populus tuus omnes nos.
Civitas sancti tui facta est deserta.
Sion deserta facta est, Jerusalem desolata est.
(Isaiah 64 v. 9)
Translation
Be not angry, O Lord, still,
neither remember our iniquity for ever.
Behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.
The holy cities are a wilderness.
Sion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
Ave Verum Corpus I William Byrd
Ensemble ZENE I Direction: Bruno Kele-Baujard
The CD is available on our website:
https://www.ensemblezene.com/online-store/VIA-DOLOROSA-p137418940
Byrd: Motets – listen here: http://smarturl.it/byrdmotets
Professor Iain Fenlon, King's College Cambridge, talks about the life of the English Renaissance composer William Byrd.
Hugh Aston (also spelled Asseton, Assheton, Ashton, Haston; c. 1485 – buried 17 November 1558) was an English composer of the early Tudor period. While little of his music survives, he is notable for his innovative keyboard and church music writing. He was also politically active, a mayor, Member of Parliament, and Alderman.
Music career
Little is known about the early life of this important early Tudor composer, and his date and place of birth are currently unknown. However, on 27 November 1510 he supplicated for the degree of BMus at Oxford University, proposing for his examination an oration on the volumes of Boethius, and the submission (and performance) of a mass and an antiphon. He stated that he had studied music in the University Music School for eight years (suggesting that he must have been in his mid-20s by that date, hence the estimated date of birth of around 1485). Presumably his study of Boethius was of the 6th century philosopher's De Institutione Musica which had been published in Venice in 1491 and 1492 (one of the first musical works to be published). The University records show that his examination was successful, and the University ordered that the University Proctors supervising the examination should retain the two manuscripts. It seems most likely that these were Aston's five part Missa Te Deum Laudamus and the clearly associated antiphon Te Deum Laudamus. Though the original manuscripts are not in Music School archives today, excellent early copies of ca. 1528-30 almost certainly made for Cardinal's College (now Christ Church) Oxford are in the Forrest-Heather Part Books now in the Bodleian Library, Oxford.