Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, 1660-1837. Originally published by University of London, London, 2006.
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'The Chapel Royal: Composers', in Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, 1660-1837, ed. R O Bucholz( London, 2006), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/office-holders/vol11/pp287-288 [accessed 26 November 2024].
'The Chapel Royal: Composers', in Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, 1660-1837. Edited by R O Bucholz( London, 2006), British History Online, accessed November 26, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/office-holders/vol11/pp287-288.
"The Chapel Royal: Composers". Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, 1660-1837. Ed. R O Bucholz(London, 2006), , British History Online. Web. 26 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/office-holders/vol11/pp287-288.
Composers 1699–1837
The position of composer of the chapel royal was created in 1699 for John Blow. Prior to this date, no chapel royal servant was specifically charged with composing new music; such music came either from members of the choir or the organists or from outsiders such as Matthew Locke. (fn. 1)
The composers of the chapel royal were generally appointed by the dean via warrant to the sub dean. From 1707 there were two composers (one such place being held jointly 1707–1708). Blow was paid £73 per annum as composer, divided into £11 8s 1 1/2d wages and £61 11s 10 1/2d in. (fn. 2) The same fees were applied to the two composers in ordinary from 1707. Handel's fee as `Composer of Musick for the Chappel royal' was £200 paid at the treasurer of the chamber's office. (fn. 3) By the 1780s each composer/organist was paid £146 (i.e., £73 per place) per annum. (fn. 4)