St Nicholas Priory’s volunteer team invites you warmly to support their fundraiser!
A musically illustrated talk by Alan Hoyle
In Europe, between around 1500 and 1620, there was a huge amount of music (somewhere in the region of 8,000 pieces survive) composed and available for the renaissance lute– nearly all of it intended for domestic enjoyment in a growing market of a rapidly growing mercantile class in their city houses and, in England from about 1540 onwards, former religious residences like St Nicholas’ Priory. There were dance suites and contemplative fantasias, but the largest genre was “intabulations”: that is, instrumental versions of vocal music, sacred or profane.
Alan Hoyle, in his musically-illustrated talk, will attempt to breathe a little life in a genre that would have been familiar to, amongst other people, the Tudor residents of Exeter’s former priory.
St Nicholas Priory: Founded by William the Conqueror in 1087, St Nicholas Priory was home to Benedictine monks for over 400 years and is the oldest building in Exeter. In 1536, like other monasteries, it was closed and the remains became the home of wealthy Tudor merchants.
Directions: St Nicholas Priory is in Mint Lane with walking access from Fore Street or Bartholomew Street West.
The nearest car park is Mary Arches Street (5 mins). Parking at Smythen Street and Harlequin Shopping Centre is also available. Exeter Central railway station (10 mins). The bus station is a 15-minute walk away with many buses stopping on the High Street (1o mins).
Access: Unfortunately, only the ground floor of our building is wheelchair-accessible.
Facilities: Accessible loos and nappy-changing facilities.
If you have any questions or concerns about your visit, please email [email protected]