John Sheppard and the Ewens: a closer look

The known musical career of John Sheppard spans just 15 years. In 1543, when he was probably still in his late twenties, he was appointed informator choristarum of Magdalen College, Oxford. At his death in 1558, at about the age of 43, he was a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, perhaps having been appointed on leaving Oxford in 1548. A recent article draws attention to the fact that, early in the reign of Queen Mary, Sheppard and his family were involved in a legal action concerning a group of properties in the parish of St Clement Danes, Middlesex. Deeper investigation of this dispute reveals where Sheppard’s geographical ties lay shortly before his Oxford appointment. It allows us to pinpoint with a high degree of confidence when and where his first marriage took place and to understand a little of the young couple’s circumstances. A separate action, in which he appeared as a joint plaintiff with his Chapel Royal colleague Luke Caustell, is less revealing, but potentially points to a connection with the same geographical region of England.