Versatile - Norwich Cathedral
Monument to Osbert Parsley, composer & "Singing man" 1511-1585 www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/fi3RLr
"Here lies the man whose name is spight of death
Renowned lives by blast of golden fame;
Whose harmony survives his vital breath
Whost skill no pride did spot, whose life no blame;
Whose low estate was blest with quiet mind;
As our sweet cords with discords mixed be;
Whost life in seventy and four years entwind;
As falleth mellowed apples from the tree.
Whose deeds were rules, whose words were verity;
Full fifty years in our church melody
His memory shines bright whom thus we praise"
Osbert came here as a 'singing-child' and was appointed a 'singing man' c 1534
Mentioned as a lay clerk in 1538-40 , he continues to appear in subsequent documentation until his death
He lived with his wife Rose in a house he bought in St. Saviour's parish from John & Helen Hering which he owned until 1583.
He wrote church music for both Latin and English rites spanning 50 years under 4 monarchs, Henry Vlll, Edward Vl, Mary and Elizabeth. He served continuously through the dissolution of the monasteries, the Reformation, the re-establishment of the Roman Catholic church under Mary, and the renewal of the Church of England under Elizabeth.
In his will of 9th December 1584, proved by his widow on 6 April 1585 , he left bequests valued at about £75. Well respected by his contemporaries for his musical ability and his personal character he has the unique honour amongst lay singingmen of this memorial.
Osbert was a "singing man" for 50 years under 4 monarchs,
This monument was renovated in memory of Arthur Henry Mann, 53 years chorister, organist of this cathedral who died in 1929 aged 79- Norwich cathedral
Versatile - Norwich Cathedral
Monument to Osbert Parsley, composer & "Singing man" 1511-1585 www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/fi3RLr
"Here lies the man whose name is spight of death
Renowned lives by blast of golden fame;
Whose harmony survives his vital breath
Whost skill no pride did spot, whose life no blame;
Whose low estate was blest with quiet mind;
As our sweet cords with discords mixed be;
Whost life in seventy and four years entwind;
As falleth mellowed apples from the tree.
Whose deeds were rules, whose words were verity;
Full fifty years in our church melody
His memory shines bright whom thus we praise"
Osbert came here as a 'singing-child' and was appointed a 'singing man' c 1534
Mentioned as a lay clerk in 1538-40 , he continues to appear in subsequent documentation until his death
He lived with his wife Rose in a house he bought in St. Saviour's parish from John & Helen Hering which he owned until 1583.
He wrote church music for both Latin and English rites spanning 50 years under 4 monarchs, Henry Vlll, Edward Vl, Mary and Elizabeth. He served continuously through the dissolution of the monasteries, the Reformation, the re-establishment of the Roman Catholic church under Mary, and the renewal of the Church of England under Elizabeth.
In his will of 9th December 1584, proved by his widow on 6 April 1585 , he left bequests valued at about £75. Well respected by his contemporaries for his musical ability and his personal character he has the unique honour amongst lay singingmen of this memorial.
Osbert was a "singing man" for 50 years under 4 monarchs,
This monument was renovated in memory of Arthur Henry Mann, 53 years chorister, organist of this cathedral who died in 1929 aged 79- Norwich cathedral