ABSTRACT
Robert Broughe was born about 1530. He was probably related to George Broughe, a Haberdasher of the parish of All Hallows Bread Street. The Haberdashers' records suggest other ties between the Byrd and Broughe families. Robert Broughe was a member of the Fletchers' Company, to which Symond Byrd belonged. By 1566 Broughe was a liveryman of the Company, in whose affairs he was to play a prominent part. In October 1586 John Petre paid 'Mr Brought virginall maker of London' for attending to a 'wynde instrument at West horndon, this being his first payment'. It is possible that Broughe at first worked for William Treasurer, and that Broughe moved to the adjacent parish of St Martin Ludgate to be near him. Treasurer had come to England from Germany, and from Christmas 1550 was timer of the royal musical instruments, with reversion of the office of tuner of regals and organs, then held by William Beton.
