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Abstract

The music of mid-seventeenth-century England, and particularly of the Civil War
and Interregnum, is a period frequently overlooked or misconstrued by
musicology. The powerful image of the 1640s and 1650s as two decades of
artistic desolation under the harsh administration of an oppressive religious
regime has impacted heavily on the historiographical perception of its music. The
Civil War, Commonwealth and Protectorate undoubtedly altered aspects of
English musical culture, whether through the disbanding of the royal musical
establishment, restriction of the use of music in worship, or prohibition of stage
plays. However, these events and influences must be seen in the context of their
time rather than isolated as examples of Puritan aggression. For instance, the
position of the Commonwealth government in regard to the church and stage was
not without general precedent or political justification — power merely provided
the opportunity to instigate long-desired reforms and necessitated the careful use
of censorship. In direct contrast with the image of the Civil War and Interregnum
as a time of bleak silence, these years witnessed an enthusiastic continuation of
domestic music and a marked increase in musical publication. Even in the
religious and theatrical settings, the composition and performance of music was a
recurrent feature. The Civil War and Interregnum therefore had a varied, but not
necessarily devastating effect on English music of the 1640s and 1650s. In
awareness of the historiographical forces that have hitherto shaped the reception
of the period, this thesis will determine the impact of "these sad, distracted tymes"
on the music of mid-seventeenth-century England.

Item Type:	Thesis - PhD
Authors/Creators:	Ellis, Bronwyn Irene
Keywords:	Music, Music and state
Copyright Holders:	The Author
Copyright Information:	Copyright 2004 the Author - The University is continuing to endeavour to trace the copyright owner(s) and in the meantime this item has been reproduced here in good faith. We would be pleased to hear from the copyright owner(s).
Additional Information:	Thesis (PhD)--University of Tasmania, 2004. Includes bibliographical references
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