There was no obvious place for Latin sacred music in Jacobean England since the Anglican church did not use a Latin liturgy and Catholic services were illegal. Yet, aside from the Gradualia of Byrd, a few Jacobean motets survive, sometimes in incomplete form, which may be why they are little known today. This edition presents eighteen of them by some of the most eminent madrigalists of the day, including Weelkes, Thomas Tomkins, and Wilbye, as well as lesser known composers like Alfonso Ferrabosco, Jr., Kirbye, Peerson, Ravenscroft, and Thomas Lupo. The Catholic patronage of certain composers suggests that some works may have been intended for clandestine Catholic services, but virtually all are found in secular partbooks and therefore undoubtedly found a place as part of the spectrum of private music-making for pious recreation. Six of the eighteen works are reconstructions and several others are published here for the first time.

Contents

Five-Part Motets

1.Cantate Domino, Richard Nicolson

2–3. Ego dixi Domine / Convertere, Domine, Alfonso Ferrabosco, Jr.

4. Laboravi in gemitu meo, Martin Peerson

5. Miserere mei, Domine, Thomas Lupo

6. Ne laeteris, inimica mea, Thomas Ravenscroft

7. O nomen Jesu, Alfonso Ferrabosco, Jr.

8. O rex gloriae, Martin Peerson

Six-Part Motets

9. Celebrate Jehovam, Thomas Tomkins

10. Homo natus de muliere, John Wilbye

11. In monte Oliveti, Robert Ramsey

12. Judica me, Deus, John Mundy

13. Laudate Dominum, William Byrd

14. O vos omnes, Thomas Weelkes

15. Venite, exultemus, William Byrd

16. Vox in Rama, George Kirbye

Seven-Part Motet

17. Cantate Domino, John Tomkins

Eight-Part Motet

18. Laudate Dominum, Anonymous