Welcome to the proverbial Bird Cage as Ambrose of Milan takes on William Byrd in the Battle of the Birds. Who will emerge as Big Bird? That's up to you as you choose between a 4th century bishop and 16th century composer.
Yesterday, Adomnan of Iona easily slid past Joseph Vaz 68% to 32% to advance to the Saintly Sixteen.
Also, yesterday, Tim and Scott previewed the coming week's battles in yet another epic (they're all epic, if you haven't caught on by now) edition of Monday Madness.
Vote now!
Ambrose of Milan
On the off chance you find yourself in a tense gathering to choose a bishop, and a child’s voice sounds out, offering your name as a prime choice, you might wish to run, and quickly. It was how Ambrose, at the time an unbaptized catechumen, found himself on a journey that would lead to him being baptized and ordained as bishop within a week.
Ambrose of Milan was born around 339. From a young age he was recognized as being an excellent speaker and became a successful attorney. In 370, he became governor of that portion of Milan and the surrounding region. It was four years later, when the Arian bishop of twenty years died, and the city was torn in strife as to the election of a new bishop. Ambrose, in his role as governor, came to the electing convention to appeal for peace – at which point a child’s voice first cried “Ambrose for bishop!” with the crowd quickly following [legend has it that in this moment a bird alighted on his head]. He tried to reject the call. Yet when word reached the emperor, rather than grant Ambrose a reprieve, he quipped that he was pleased to have chosen governors who were fit for episcopal office. Ambrose was baptized and ordained bishop within the week. He was only thirty-five years old.
Ambrose took on a tutor to guide him in Christian thought, studying the works of Origen and Basil among others. His considerable skill at poetry and oratory made him a prolific hymn writer, and a skillful author of practical discourses on Christian faith and practice. He became a mentor and influence on perhaps the most influential theologian of Western Christianity – Augustine of Hippo – and he himself baptized Augustine on Easter Eve of 387.
Perhaps Ambrose’s greatest mark of distinction was that he did not hesitate to stand fast in the face of secular authorities, including the emperors of both the Western and Eastern Roman Empires. He warned the young emperor Gratian of the importance of upholding the catholic faith against the Arian heresy – even though Gratian’s own uncle was chief protector to the Arians. He told Valentinian that the emperor was in the church, and not above it. And when Theodosius became the undisputed ruler of both the eastern and western, Ambrose would rebuke and excommunicate him for his role in a massacre at Thessalonica that had killed thousands of innocents. Theodosius, realizing Ambrose’s sway and moral voice, did public penance and was restored to the community of the church.
Ambrose would survive Theodosius by two years and would die on Good Friday of 397 at the age of fifty-seven. Ambrose was buried in the crypt of the Basilica that now bears his name in Milan.
Collect for Ambrose of Milan
O God, who gave your servant Ambrose grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellence in preaching and faithfulness in ministering your Word, that your people may be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (LFF 2022)
William Byrd
William Byrd is considered one of the most important, influential, and famous Renaissance Anglican church music composers. His standing ranks up there with Henry Purcell.
Byrd was born in 1539 or 1540 in London, where he grew up. Wealthy, educated, and raised with a passionate love for music, he was a student, assistant, and friend of Thomas Tallis, a well-known and important musician with whom he is often paired.
Byrd began composing music at an early age and may have been a chorister at the esteemed St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. He achieved renown as an organist and chorus master at Lincoln Cathedral, about 150 miles north of London. This notable position and some later appointments brought him within the circle of the reigning Queen Elizabeth I.
Even though his religion had been outlawed by the time he was an adult, Byrd skirted under the religious climate of the day and remained a lifelong Roman Catholic. He composed church music for both the Anglican Church and his own church. Although a Roman Catholic, he was on good terms with Queen Elizabeth I, who was known to be an accomplished musician as was her father, King Henry VIII.
Byrd was a prolific writer of sacred music and published volumes of religious songs, psalms, masses, and madrigals for instruments and/or voices, sometimes collaborating with others. It is estimated that more than 600 of his compositions remain. Among his many works – both small and grandiose - for the Anglican Church are “O Lord, Make thy Servant Elizabeth our Queen” and “How Long Shall Mine Enemies Sing Joyfully.”
His association with Tallis prompted a prestigious appointment by Queen Elizabeth I for the selecting, printing, publishing, and selling of music, both religious and secular.
Byrd died of heart failure in Essex 400 hundred years ago, on July 4, 1623, having survived the Elizabethan era as a Roman Catholic. He is buried in an unmarked grave at St. Peter and St. Paul Church in Stondon Massey, Essex, England.
Interestingly, Byrd’s works do not appear in the widely used Episcopal Church Hymnal 1982, although six compositions by his sometimes-writing partner Tallis are included. Byrd and Tallis, along with fellow English composer John Merbecke, were listed in Holy Women Holy Men for November 21, but they do not appear in Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2022.
Collect for William Byrd
O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP)
— Neva Rae Fox
76 comments on “Ambrose of Milan vs. William Byrd”
This was difficult to start but then I went to Byrd's music, thank you Jack, and listened. Ave verum being a favorite. Now I'm really back in a quandary. ???
Ambrose slid unexpectedly from politician to Bishop
Engaged as a lifelong learner, he did this hop
Wrapped the vestments of religion, Ambrose stood
Insisting that leaders follow the morale Good
As enjoyable as William’s songs are
They don’t move move me on the same par
As taking up the cross in earnest
And living your life in God’s Word to its fullest
Is there an anti-bracket I can join? I have consistently voted for the losers so far--unashamed, unabashed, and with joy.
All honor to Ambrose of Milan, but my favorite music, in my opinion the most beautiful music ever written,is the Late Sixteenth Century's Greatest Hits. The choral music of Byrd and Tallis is a gift to the world forever. Thanks be to God for their lives and ministries.
You have done it again! One of the most important bishops of the young church, and example of how the current Process for ordination is too long and terrible, and one of my favorite musicians, whose choral works I have joyfully sung. Sigh! Ambrose it is, with a tip of my zucchetto to William Byrd. I guess being shat upon by a symbolic bird will trump the name Byrd.
As impressive as
Ambrose is, as the grand-daughter of a piano teacher, daughter of two Episcopal Churchchoir members, and a long-time choir member herself, I just had to go with William Bird. And now I'll go look for more of his compositions.
I voted for Byrd, but the last paragraph of Byrd's bio sank him. He didn't write hymns in the modern sense or even as Tallis did, whose tunes do appear in the Hymnal 1092. He did write lots of lovely sacred motets, anthems and other service music. It is a shame that Byrd and Tallis do not share a day in the celebrations of LFF 2022.
As a church singer and musician, William Byrd has to get my vote!
Ambrose is worthy, of course, but Byrd, and his contemporary Tallis, provide a direct link to the divine. Thank you to Beth and others who posted a link to his glorious music. Furthermore, his ability to write beautiful music for both sides of the religious divide that provoked bitter hatred in his day is inspiring.
Will we ever get another print copy of the "Saintly Scoreboard" again?
Well, Ambrose! You rock! You stood up to the secular world. I struggle with churches that want to apply secular values to the church. I struggle big time. I have felt in the most recent past that my expressed views were negated.
Also, St. Augustine is one of my favorites…. If not The Favorite! I would have loved to have been able to spend a day with St. Augustine. I bet he was a lot of fun!
Somebody has to step into the void (hoping Mr. Cabot is well, just taking a day off -- or so paralyzed by this hard choice that inspiration failed)
The glorious music of Byrd
O may it forever be heard
In choirs where they sing
And clear voices ring;
But Ambrose – he gave us the Word.
Hooray for youth! May the young speak up and stand and serve, as Ambrose did!
I like Byrd's mustache!
I love music and Byrd is great. St. Ambrose getting emperor Theodosius I to repent of the killing of thousands of innocents is too awesome to overlook. My vote goes to Ambrose, and I hope to see Byrd next year.
Yet another "wish we could hear more about these two in later rounds" matchup.
As one familiar with the demands of episcopal ministry I am filled with admiration for Ambrose - a fine role model!
Ambrose's story reminds me of how Fabian became Pope a century earlier. God finds a way to raise up leaders who are reluctant and yet become mighty through God's grace and mercy.
Byrds the word! Vote for William Byrd. Churches everywhere are celebrating him in their music this year because it is the 400th anniversary of his death. If he deserves recognition any year it is this year!
Not sure which is more difficult: picking between 2 lesser known, or 2 of equal renown and popularity. Rolled the dice in favor of Ambrose.
I’ve always been fascinated by Ambrose and his pathway to the bishopric. But his speaking truth to power is what’s needed in today’s culture! We are fortunate as a branch of the historic episcopate to have Presiding Bishop Michael Curry as our spokesperson. Our own parish’s Racial Justice Ministry and the Sacred Ground program are examples of an “Ambrosian” influence. Ambrose it is!
Voting for Byrd because of the music
Could you lower the music volume? It scares my dog.
Since I am currently serving on a committee to elect a new bishop for our ELCA synod, I just have to vote for Ambrose!
I seem to have lost my draft comment (and the hours of work that produced it), so I’m going to have to content myself with simply stating that I voted for Ambrose by applying the principle of imagining the history and current state of the Church without Ambrose, on the one hand, and without Byrd, on the other. I’m certainly glad that in reality I don’t have to choose.
And then there is the sublime beauty of that great wedding cake of a cathedral, almost 600 years in the making and the third largest church in the world:
.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/Milan_Cathedral_from_Piazza_del_Duomo.jpg
Although Byrd sings with the birds - Ambrose seems to vault higher - especially with that bird flying onto his head!
I voted for Byrd because of his transcendent music, but then had some regrets when I remembered that my Uncle Hunt, an
Episcopal priest, had a magnificent poodle named Ambrose that brought him and us children great joy. And of course, both Ambrose and William Byrd are most worthy.
The best career change for a lawyer/politician EVER!
Ok, I didn’t know either and thought Ambrose looked to have more influence on the world than Byrd, but your comments sway me that Byrd is worthy of more attention. And perhaps being able to keep at lest some peace between Anglican and Catholic, Byrd’s words and life could teach us all something now.
When I first looked over the names I was going for Bryd. But then I read about all the important things Ambrose did and what a great role model for today's troubles and that David Sibley wrote for Ambrose. My jaw dropped because I just finished watching Jeopardy and was still excited that he won today. So for David and Ambrose I vote for Ambrose. I have the lots of love for Bryd too
Often the best leaders are those who said yes when called but were at first reluctant. I’ve served in a few positions in my life where it took some “persuasion “ to get me to say yes, but it turned out fine. Even a true blessing to me in one case. Ambrose gets my vote.
I just discovered this site. Mother Claire, the Priest at my church, was talking about it after the service.