William Parsons (composer and copyist)

1545 – 1563) was an English composer and copyist from Wells, Somerset.

His name appears for the first time in the register of vicars-choral at Wells in 1555.

Payments received by him around this time suggest that he was also employed as composer and copyist to the Wells Cathedral, most likely before 1550 where he was the Master of Choristers.

Among them can be cited an Easter antiphon Christus resurgens in two sections, based on a Sarum Rite plainchant; and a motet Anima Christi for three voices, which was originally just one section of a much longer motet for six voices.

[2] The Flatt Service by "Mr. Parsons of Wells" was also probably written by him; the location was added to distinguish him from "Mr. Parsons of Exeter", whose music features in the same source.

Old 100th psalm tune in the tenor voice by William Parsons. This, the oldest known English harmonization of the tune, was first published in Day 's Whole Booke of Psalmes and widely republished thereafter. [ 1 ]