Biblioteca de la Guitarra y Cuerda Pulsada

Gresham College was founded in 1597 and has been providing free lectures within the City of London for over 400 years. This is part of the series: For Courtesan, Queen and Gallant: The Guitar in England from Henry VIII to Samuel Pepys

Few people now remember that the guitar was popular in England during the age of Queen Elizabeth and Shakespeare, and yet it was played everywhere from the royal court to the common tavern. 

In 1559 Queen Elizabeth herself received a case of three guitars as a New-Year’s day present. 

This opening lecture of the series, with musical illustrations, will use documents, poetry and images to bring the instrument to life, with a particular focus on the autobiography of the beguiling Tudor musician Thomas Whythorne.

The Guitar in Tudor London