John Bennet (composer)

Bennet dedicated his madrigal volume, These First Fruits of My Simple Skill the Endeavors of a Young Wit to Ralph Assheton in 1599.

Assheton held civic office in both Lancashire and Cheshire, he was dedicated as a token for favours received.

Though Bennet's style showed the influence of Wilbye, Weelkes, and Dowland, his greatest debt was to Thomas Morley.

It is likely that Bennet had strong connections in high places in English society: many of his madrigals were written for festive occasions held at court or in private residences of wealthy patrons in London.

Bennet did not borrow musical ideas from earlier settings but he was knowledgeable about the latest trends of English madrigal during the time he was alive.