Holborne, Anthony 01/01/1545 - 01/01/1602

Anthony Holborne (1550-1602) was a composer of English consort music during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. In 1562 he entered Cambridge University. From some time in the 1590s through 1602 he was in service to Sir Robert Cecil "Baron Cecil." In 1597 his earliest known work, the Cittarn Schoole, was published in London; it contains 58 of his own compositions, and is considered to be one of the most important sources of music for cittern. Two years later, in 1599, he published a collection of consort music,Pavans, Galliards, Almains, and other short Airs both grave, and light, in five parts, for Viols, Violins or other Musicall Winde Instruments,consisting of 65 different compositions.

It is from the title pages of both of these publications that we learn that he was a 'Gentleman and Servant to her most excellent Maiesti'" and that he in some fashion served Queen Elizabeth I, although it is uncertain what his exact duties were.