Ambrose Lupo
Encyclopedia
Ambrose, Ambrosius or Ambrosio Lupo (b ?Milan; d London, 10 Feb 1591) was a court musician and composer to the English court from the time of Henry VIII
to that of Elizabeth I
and James I
, and the first of a dynasty of such court musicians. He seems to have been born in Milan
, though he and his family seem to have lived in Venice
for a while just before being called to England. He and five other viol players, including Alexandro and Romano Lupo, were summoned to England by Henry in November 1540, to bring English music up to speed with music on the continent. Ambrose, also known as 'Lupus Italus' and de Almaliach, was the longest-serving of the group.
Living in the parish of St Alphege, Cripplegate, he was granted leases on lands valuing £20 in 1590 (in which document he was described as "one of the eldest of Her Majesty's musicians for the [sic] vials") and on Cissel Gorge in May 1590. Royal gifts to him included "a box of Lute strynges" and "a glas of swette water".
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
to that of Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
and James I
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
, and the first of a dynasty of such court musicians. He seems to have been born in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, though he and his family seem to have lived in Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
for a while just before being called to England. He and five other viol players, including Alexandro and Romano Lupo, were summoned to England by Henry in November 1540, to bring English music up to speed with music on the continent. Ambrose, also known as 'Lupus Italus' and de Almaliach, was the longest-serving of the group.
Living in the parish of St Alphege, Cripplegate, he was granted leases on lands valuing £20 in 1590 (in which document he was described as "one of the eldest of Her Majesty's musicians for the [sic] vials") and on Cissel Gorge in May 1590. Royal gifts to him included "a box of Lute strynges" and "a glas of swette water".