Henry VIII was probably the most musical of English monarchs: he was an expert singer, composed sacred and secular music, played various instruments and patronised many distinguished foreign and English musicians. His wives were also no mere observers of music at Henry’s court, and maintained their own household musicians. In chapel and chamber, whether dancing, worshipping, singing, playing or listening, music was an important counterpoint to the lives – and sometimes deaths – of all of Henry’s wives, from Catherine of Aragon to Catherine Parr.

In this new programme, specially devised by Philip Thorby, Musica Antiqua play the main types of instrument popular at Henry’s court, including viols, recorders, shawms, bagpipes, cornett, lutes and the virginals. They are joined for the vocal items by Jennie Cassidy, a leading early music singer and regular performer at the Suffolk Villages Festival.