Henry Lawes

Henry Lawes (baptised 5 January 1596 – 21 October 1662) was the leading English songwriter of the mid-17th century. He was elder brother of fellow composer William Lawes. Life Lawes was the elder son of Thomas Lawes (died 1640) and Lucris Lawes (born Shephard) was born at Dinton, near Wilton, Wiltshire, just before 5 January 1596. Around 1602 Thomas, a church musician, moved to Salisbury as lay vicar and the family took up residence in the Close. Henry’s three brothers, born in Salisbury, were also able musicians: William, Thomas (1608 – 1666) and John (d 1655). It is presumed that Henry, and subsequently William, sang in the Cathedral choir but there is no direct evidence. Nor is there information about his upbringing or musical training before he appeared in London, probably about 1615. At an early stage in London he was employed by John Egerton, earl of Bridgewater to teach music to his daughters. Unlike his songs (see below), little of his music for the masques survives. The portrait now in the Faculty of Music, Oxford University, is dated around this time, approximately 1642. The English Civil War altered this way of life and affected Henry especially when William was killed i