The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, which includes the third of his Gloria tibi Trinitas settings, gives his forename as William.
However, Chapel Royal records from 1558 to 1590 consistently refer to John Blitheman, and there can be little doubt that this was the composer's name.
From 1585 until his death he was appointed organist of the Chapel Royal (succeeding Thomas Tallis), where John Bull was both his pupil and successor.
[3] The great majority of Blitheman's extant works is included in The Mulliner Book, where he is represented by fifteen pieces.
One of his In nomines, dating from before 1591, displays the earliest known example of triplet figuration in English keyboard music.