Byrd had his home searched by English authorities because it looked as though he was “delivering something more to the Catholic underground than music for clandestine services.” (Grove 539) Byrd was also suspected of harboring Jesuits and other fugitives. “Remaining a true son of the Catholic Church he had to suffer considerable persecution, but his fame as a musician saved him from the worst.” (Weinmann …show more content…
In the records of his death, the “laconic Cheque Book of the Chapel Royal described him as ‘a Father of Musick.’” (Grove 545) While Byrd’s inspired English music. He ignited the English virginal music and from that build a school to influence some of the greatest composers to write keyboard, and virginal works. Byrd’s keyboard works represent a culmination of