PREFACE

A few words concerning the origin of this book are necessary. It was already begun during an illness in 1892, and arrangements were made for its publication. But upon further investigation, especially of the early MSS., I perceived that the wealth of most valuable material still unexamined was far greater than I had suspected; so great, in fact, as to modify my previous opinions concerning English music in the 15th and 16th centuries. What I had previously written had largely to be rejected, and the whole plan of the work was altered; while three years’ study has been necessary before I could let the book be printed. A variety of accidents unfortunately prevented a systematic comparison of every proof-sheet with the original sources of information, a test I had intended to apply; should any mistakes have arisen thereby, they will be duly published as they are discovered, and corrected in future editions. The main hindrance, in this and other respects, has, of course, been my living away from London and other great repositories of MSS.; but I am able in consequence to have a clearer view of the condition of music in the whole country, of our defects and their causes, than I should probably have acquired had I been a London musician, when it would have been difficult or impossible for me to perceive the effects of centralisation upon our musical life.