A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Barcrofte, Thomas

by Edward Francis Rimbault

BARCROFTE, Thomas, said to have been organist of Ely Cathedral circ. 1535. Nothing is known of his biography. A Te Deum and Benedictus (in F), and two anthems, are ascribed to him in Tudway's MS. Collection. The former are dated 1532, a date much too early for an English setting of these hymns. It seems much more probable that the author of these compositions was George Barcrofte, A.B., vicar-choral and organist of Ely Cathedral in 1579. The latter died in 1609. The service above mentioned, and one of the anthems, 'Almighty God,' were printed by the Motett Society.

[ E. F. R. ]