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William Tisdale

1570 – 1603

English composer

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About William Tisdale

Lived 1570 – 1603 (aged 32–33). William Tisdale was a British composer and musician.

William Tisdale also written Tisdall (c. 1570–? ) was an English musician and composer of the virginal school. No conclusive evidence about him has yet been discovered. Two William Tisdales have been found in London at the turn of the 17th century: one died in 1603 and the other in 1605.

All Tisdale's known music is represented by five pieces in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book and two pieces in the so-called John Bull Virginal Book which was bound for the English composer John Bull.

Tisdale appears to have known the Tregians, a recusant family from Cornwall. The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book includes his rich chromatic piece, Mrs Katherin Tregians Paven, possibly written on the death of Francis Tregian the Elder's mother, Katherine Arundell. This link is one of the reasons why Francis Tregian the Younger has been suggested as the compiler of the anthology.

Music From the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book: Almand (213) Pavana Chromatica: Mrs Katherin Tregians Paven (214) Pavana: Clement Cotton (219) Pavana (220) Galiarda (295)

From the John Bull Virginal Book: [Coranto] (3) [Coranto] (4)

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Important facts

Born
1570
Birth century
Died
1603, London
Occupation
Also known as
William Tisdall

People in William Tisdale's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Tisdale's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Tisdale?

English composer

When was William Tisdale born?

William Tisdale was born in 1570.

When did William Tisdale die?

William Tisdale died in 1603 in London.

What was William Tisdale's occupation?

William Tisdale was a composer and musician.

What nationality was William Tisdale?

William Tisdale was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Tisdale

· Wikidata: Q3569000

· DBpedia: William Tisdale

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Tisdale. https://biography.guide/william-tisdale/

MLA: "William Tisdale." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-tisdale/.

Chicago: "William Tisdale." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-tisdale/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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