John Wilbye

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: November 14, 2022

John Wilbye (pronounce: “WIL-bee”), (born Diss, Norfolk, baptised 7 March 1574; died Colchester, between September and November 1638), was an English composer who was famous for his madrigals.

Wilbye was the son of a tanner. He was supported financially by a rich family called Kytson. The Kytsons were very musical and had lots of musical instruments and sheet music in their house. It is thought that he went with Elizabeth Cornwallis to Hengrave Hall near Bury St. Edmunds in around 1594 when she married Sir Thomas Kytson the Younger. When Elizabeth died, Wilbye moved to Colchester where he lived with Elizabeth’s youngest daughter with whom he had a long friendship. When Wilbye died he was quite rich.

Questions and Answers

Q: Who was John Wilbye?

A: John Wilbye was an English composer famous for his madrigals.

Q: What was Wilbye's background?

A: Wilbye was the son of a tanner and was financially supported by the Kytson family.

Q: What was the Kytson family known for?

A: The Kytson family was known for their musical interests and had many musical instruments and sheet music in their home.

Q: Did Wilbye have a romantic relationship with Elizabeth Cornwallis?

A: There is no evidence to suggest that Wilbye and Elizabeth Cornwallis had a romantic relationship, but it is believed that Wilbye accompanied her to Hengrave Hall when she married Sir Thomas Kytson the Younger.

Q: Where did Wilbye live after Elizabeth Cornwallis died?

A: After Elizabeth Cornwallis died, Wilbye moved to Colchester where he lived with her youngest daughter, with whom he had a long friendship.

Q: Was Wilbye wealthy at the time of his death?

A: Yes, Wilbye was quite rich at the time of his death.

Q: When was Wilbye born and when did he die?

A: Wilbye was born in 1574 and died between September and November of 1638.