Contenance Angloise
Encyclopedia
The Contenance Angloise or English manner, is the term used to describe a distinctive style of polyphony
developed in fifteenth-century England
. It used full, rich harmonies based on the third and sixth. It was highly influential in the fashionable Burgundian
court of Philip the Good and as a result on European music of the era in general. The leading figure was John Dunstable
, followed by Walter Frye
and John Hothby.
in a poem dedicated to Duke Philip the Good of Burgundy
(1396–1467) in 1441-2 to describe the distinctive musical style of the era. He mentioned English composer John Dunstable
(c. 1390–1453) as the key figure and as a major influence on the major Burgundian composers Guillaume Dufay
and Gilles Binchois
.
that used full, rich harmonies based on the third and sixth, which may have made lyrics easier to articulate.
, some of his works have been reconstructed from copies found in continental Europe, particularly in Italy. The existence of these copies is testament to his widespread fame within Europe. He may have been the first composer to provide liturgical music
with an instrumental accompaniment.
This tradition was continued by figures such as Walter Frye
(ca. 1420–1475), whose masses were recorded and highly influential in France and the Netherlands. Similarly, John Hothby (ca. 1410–1487), an English Carmelite
monk, who travelled widely and, although leaving little composed music, wrote several theoretical treatises, including La Calliopea legale, and is credited with introducing innovations to the medieval pitch system.
, the English may have been more preoccupied with domestic matters and Franco-Flemish music became the dominant force in European music, and the distinctiveness of English music began to fade.
Polyphony
In music, polyphony is a texture consisting of two or more independent melodic voices, as opposed to music with just one voice or music with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords ....
developed in fifteenth-century England
History of England
The history of England concerns the study of the human past in one of Europe's oldest and most influential national territories. What is now England, a country within the United Kingdom, was inhabited by Neanderthals 230,000 years ago. Continuous human habitation dates to around 12,000 years ago,...
. It used full, rich harmonies based on the third and sixth. It was highly influential in the fashionable Burgundian
Duchy of Burgundy
The Duchy of Burgundy , was heir to an ancient and prestigious reputation and a large division of the lands of the Second Kingdom of Burgundy and in its own right was one of the geographically larger ducal territories in the emergence of Early Modern Europe from Medieval Europe.Even in that...
court of Philip the Good and as a result on European music of the era in general. The leading figure was John Dunstable
John Dunstable
John Dunstaple was an English composer of polyphonic music of the late medieval era and early Renaissance...
, followed by Walter Frye
Walter Frye
Walter Frye was an English composer of the early Renaissance.-Life:Nothing certain is known about his life. He may have been a "Walter Cantor" at Ely Cathedral between 1443 and 1466, and he may have been the Walter Frye who joined the London Parish Clerks in 1456; he also may have been the Walter...
and John Hothby.
Origins of the term
The phrase 'Contenance Angloise' was coined by Martin le FrancMartin le Franc
Martin le Franc was a French poet of the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance.He was born in Normandy, and studied in Paris. He entered clerical orders, becoming an apostolic prothonotary, and later becoming secretary to both Antipope Felix V and Pope Nicholas V.He was named provost at Lausanne...
in a poem dedicated to Duke Philip the Good of Burgundy
Duchy of Burgundy
The Duchy of Burgundy , was heir to an ancient and prestigious reputation and a large division of the lands of the Second Kingdom of Burgundy and in its own right was one of the geographically larger ducal territories in the emergence of Early Modern Europe from Medieval Europe.Even in that...
(1396–1467) in 1441-2 to describe the distinctive musical style of the era. He mentioned English composer John Dunstable
John Dunstable
John Dunstaple was an English composer of polyphonic music of the late medieval era and early Renaissance...
(c. 1390–1453) as the key figure and as a major influence on the major Burgundian composers Guillaume Dufay
Guillaume Dufay
Guillaume Dufay was a Franco-Flemish composer of the early Renaissance. As the central figure in the Burgundian School, he was the most famous and influential composer in Europe in the mid-15th century.-Early life:From the evidence of his will, he was probably born in Beersel, in the vicinity of...
and Gilles Binchois
Gilles Binchois
Gilles de Binche , also known as Gilles de Bins , was a Franco-Flemish composer, one of the earliest members of the Burgundian School, and one of the three most famous composers of the early 15th century...
.
Characteristics
It is not clear exactly what Martin le Franc saw as the elements of the Contenance Angloise. Musicologists have noted the style as a distinctive form of melodic polyphonyPolyphony
In music, polyphony is a texture consisting of two or more independent melodic voices, as opposed to music with just one voice or music with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords ....
that used full, rich harmonies based on the third and sixth, which may have made lyrics easier to articulate.
Major composers
Although nearly all of John Dunstable's manuscript music in England was lost during the Dissolution of the MonasteriesDissolution of the Monasteries
The Dissolution of the Monasteries, sometimes referred to as the Suppression of the Monasteries, was the set of administrative and legal processes between 1536 and 1541 by which Henry VIII disbanded monasteries, priories, convents and friaries in England, Wales and Ireland; appropriated their...
, some of his works have been reconstructed from copies found in continental Europe, particularly in Italy. The existence of these copies is testament to his widespread fame within Europe. He may have been the first composer to provide liturgical music
Liturgical music
Liturgical music originated as a part of religious ceremony, and includes a number of traditions, both ancient and modern. Liturgical music is well known as a part of Catholic Mass, the Anglican Holy Communion service , the Lutheran Divine Service, the Orthodox liturgy and other Christian services...
with an instrumental accompaniment.
This tradition was continued by figures such as Walter Frye
Walter Frye
Walter Frye was an English composer of the early Renaissance.-Life:Nothing certain is known about his life. He may have been a "Walter Cantor" at Ely Cathedral between 1443 and 1466, and he may have been the Walter Frye who joined the London Parish Clerks in 1456; he also may have been the Walter...
(ca. 1420–1475), whose masses were recorded and highly influential in France and the Netherlands. Similarly, John Hothby (ca. 1410–1487), an English Carmelite
Carmelites
The Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or Carmelites is a Catholic religious order perhaps founded in the 12th century on Mount Carmel, hence its name. However, historical records about its origin remain uncertain...
monk, who travelled widely and, although leaving little composed music, wrote several theoretical treatises, including La Calliopea legale, and is credited with introducing innovations to the medieval pitch system.
Decline
The influence of English composers on the continent seems to have declined towards the end of the fifteenth century. Having lost their major possessions in France and entering the Wars of the RosesWars of the Roses
The Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic civil wars for the throne of England fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York...
, the English may have been more preoccupied with domestic matters and Franco-Flemish music became the dominant force in European music, and the distinctiveness of English music began to fade.