William Byrd was a leading composer of sacred and secular music in the 16th and 17th Centuries. He was also a Catholic at a time when Elizabeth I's heavies were tightening their Protestant grip.
Byrd trod a fine line as his position in the Chapel Royal meant he had to produce work for Anglican (Protestant) services which was not too elaborate (ie. Catholic). Some Anglicans felt he crossed the line and he had his run-ins (and certainly composed overt 'Catholic' music for private performance), but he lived to a ripe and rich old age.
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