Eton Choirbook

Stylistically, the music contained in the Eton Choirbook shows three phases in the development of early Renaissance polyphony in England.

Most of the music of this early phase is polyphonic but non-imitative, with contrast achieved by alternation of full five-voice texture with sections sung by fewer voices.

The second phase, which includes music by John Browne, Richard Davy and Walter Lambe, uses imitation, cantus firmus techniques, and frequent cross-relations (a feature which was to become a distinctive sound in early Tudor polyphony).

The final phase represented in the choirbook includes music by William Cornysh and Robert Fayrfax, composed around 1500.

Harry Christophers, The Sixteen: 'Eton Choirbook Volumes I-V Stephen Darlington, Choir of Christ Church Cathedral Oxford: Music from The Eton Choir Book, volumes 1-5 Other groups: For a comprehensive description of the MS, and images, see Digital Image Archive of Medieval Music