The first information we have about Pierre Certon is of his appointment as matins clerk at Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, in October of 1529, so he must have made a name for himself as a talented singer elsewhere to be called to the premier Cathedral in France.  Less than 3 years later he transferred to an even higher post . . . the Kings chapel, Sainte-Chapelle.  By 1536, as testament to his musicianship, he was appointed to Master of the Choristers there.  Eight Mass settings, a Magnificat and at least 43 of his motets survive.  Although primarily a musician of the church Certon published collections of chansons in 1552 and in 1570 ‘Les meslanges’ containing 84 chansons.

He died in Paris February 1572 just six months before the St Bartholemew Massacre.