ABSTRACT
It has always been a matter for surprise that the unique surviving copy of the Gradualia of 1605 sidled into W. Byrd criticism without a fanfare. It was only its appearance in the British Union-Catalogue of Early Music in 19571 that triggered critical attention, yet its existence, if not its significance, had been noted in York Minster Library in each of the preceding centuries. What is beyond dispute is that 'Byrd (Wm.) Gradualia ac Cantiones Sacrae, 4to, L., ibid., 1605', that is, published in London by Thos. Snodham, is listed on page 78 of A catalogue of the printed books in the Library of the Dean and Chapter of York, by James Raine. It is disappointing though predictable that Raine overlooked the import of his entry for Byrd's Gradualia. Much more disappointing is the fact that no Byrd scholar latched onto this piece of evidence, not even during the heightened publishing activity surrounding Byrd's tercentenary.
