Item 144 - Flow, O My Tears

John Bennet was a composer of the English madrigal school. There are very few documents about his life but it is clear his work had considerable impact. He was born into a prosperous family, trained as a choirboy and educated at what is now Abingdon School. He was advanced in music by his early twenties when he published his first collection of madrigals. The influence of Thomas Morley’s work can be seen in Bennet’s compositions but current trends of English madrigals are also present. Many of his madrigals were written for festive occasions held at Court or in private residences of wealthy patrons in London which suggests connections in high places in society. "Eliza, her Name Gives Honour" was one of several madrigals written for Queen Elizabeth. Aside from madrigals his work includes religious songs for church choral performances.