John Merbecke

d. c.1585. English musician and theologian. He was organist of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, from 1541 until at least 1565. A Calvinist, he was sentenced to the stake in 1544 for his writings against the Six Articles* and for his compilation of the first biblical concordance in English (thus threatening the use of Latin for worship). He was pardoned evidently because Bishop [[Stephen Gardiner]] had a high regard for his musicianship. Merbecke dedicated that concordance later to Edward VI. That same year (1550) came also his [[Book of Common Prayer]] Noted, an adaptation of the plain chant to Edward VI's first liturgy (1549), issued to prevent diversity in “saying and singing.” He wrote many theological works, a hymn for three voices, and Mass for five.