Anthony Holborne

Anthony Holborne was a composer and performer of instrumental dances, and lived in the 2nd half of the 16th century. We first hear of him in 1562 at Pembroke College, Cambridge about age 17. He managed to acquire a number of wealthy patrons . . . Mary Sidney (Countess of Pembroke), Robert Cecil(Earl of Salisbury), Thomas Lord Burgh, and Richard Champernoune—dedicatee in 1599 of Holborne ‘Pavans, galliards, almaines and other short aeires’, Of Holborne’s 150 compositions 75% are dances. He lived in London and from various dedications it is apparent that Holborne was acquainted with many of his contemporaries—Morley, Dowland, Alison, Farnaby. He died there in 1602.