Dr. CHRISTOPHER TYE.
Reading edition
In the writing this Doctors Life, we shall principally make use for Directions of Mr. Fuller, in his England's Worthies, fol. 244. He flourished (saith he) in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, and King Edward the Sixth, to whom he was one of the Gentlemen of their Chappel, and probably the Organist. Musick, which received a grievous wound in England at the dissolution of Abbeys, was much beholding to him for her recovery; such was his excellent Skill and Piety, that he kept it up in Credit at Court, and in all Cathedrals during his life: He translated the Acts of the Apostles into Verse, and let us take a tast his Poetry.
In the former Treatise to thee, dear friend Theophilus, I have written the veritie of the Lord Christ Jesus, Which he to do and eke to teach, began until the day; In which the Spirit up did him fetch to dwell above for aye. After that he had power to do even by the Holy Ghost: Commandements then he gave unto his chosen least and most. To whom also himself did shew from death thus to revive; By tokens plain unto his few even forty days alive. Speaking of God's kingdom with heart chusing together them, Commanding them not to depart from that Jerusalem. But still to wait on the promise of his Father the Lord, Of which you have heard me e're this unto you make record.
Pass we now (saith he) from his Poetry, (being Musick in words) to his Musick, (being Poetry in sounds) who set an excellent Composition of Musick in four parts, to the several Chapters of his aforenamed Poetry, dedicating the same to King Edward the Sixth, a little before his death, and Printed it Anno Dom. 1353. He also did Compose many excellent Services and Anthems of four and five parts, which were used in Cathedrals many years after his death, the certain date whereof we cannot attain to.